Caustic Ingestion By Gerald F O'Malley, DO, Grand Strand Regional Medical Center; Rika O'Malley, MD, Grand Strand Medical Center Reviewed / Revised Jun 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Pathophysiology Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Key Points Caustics (strong acids and alkalis), when ingested, burn upper gastrointestinal tract tissues, sometimes resulting in esophageal or gastric perforation.