Oral Manifestations of Household Disinfectant Exposure: Two Case Reports and Review of Literature

The main chemical component of household disinfectants is Hydrochloric acid (HCl). Exposure to this harmful chemical can result in mild to severe tissue injuries and is termed as allergic dermatitis. When the oral mucosa undergoes such state, termed allergic or contact stomatitis, which may manifest as chemical burn. Due to unrestricted availability of these substances, accidental exposure of oral cavity to commonly used disinfectants may produce mild to severe injuries and even be life-threatening. Two cases are presented here to insist on the allergic reaction caused by the accidental and misconceptional exposure of oral mucosa to household disinfectants, along with their clinical presentation and management. The first case involves accidental exposure of oral mucosa to a drain cleaner in a 30-year-old female patient. The second case is about a 26-year-old male patient who has placed the disinfectant over the decayed tooth. Oral allergic lesions results in allergic stomatitis, an allergic condition associated with significant morbidity. The severity of these lesions may be directly related to the type and quantity of the materials and the duration of exposure. Timely diagnosis, appropriate management, along with elimination of causative allergen quickly may be helpful in complete resolution of the manifestations.