Deodorant poisoning
Definition
This poisoning is due toeating a deodorant.
Poisonous Ingredient
- Ethyl alcohol
- Aluminum salts
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Where Found
Symptoms
Home Treatment
Seek immediatemedical help.
Give the patient milk or water, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. DO NOT give milk or water if the patient is unable to swallow due to convulsions or unconsciousness.
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
- The patient's age, weight, and condition
- The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
- The time it was swallowed
- The amount swallowed
Poison Control, or a local emergency number
The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.
See National Poison Control center.
What to expect at the emergency room
The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:
- Fluids by IV
- Medicines to treat symptoms
- Medicines to make the person throw up
- Activated charcoal
- Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach
- A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
- Medicines to treat an allergic reaction (diphenhydramine,prednisone, or epinephrine)
- Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days
- Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin)
In severe cases, the patient may be admittedtothe hospital.
Expectations (prognosis)
Severe poisoning is unlikely. Survival over 24 hours usuallymeans the patient will recover.However, death may occur as late as a week after the poisoning,if a lot of the product was swallowed.
Review Date: 3/8/2006
Reviewed By: Stephen C Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 1997-
A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.