Eyeball, please throw away the furniture polish in that container!
Hopefully it was such a small amount that it won't cause any trouble, but please call your Poison Control Center anyway!
Furniture polish poisoningURL of this page:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002788.htm Furniture polish poisoning occurs when someone swallows or breathes in (inhales) liquid furniture polish. Some furniture polishes may also be sprayed into the eyes.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Poisonous IngredientHydrocarbons (waxes, oils, organic solvents)
Where FoundVarious liquid furniture polishes
SymptomsEyes, ears, nose, and throat Loss of vision
Severe pain in the throat
Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
Gastrointestinal Blood in the stool
Burns of the food pipe (esophagus)
Severe abdominal painabdominal pain
Vomiting (may be bloody)
Heart and blood vessels Collapse
Low blood pressureLow blood pressure that develops rapidly
Lungs and airways Breathing difficulty (from breathing in furniture polish)
Throat swelling (may also cause breathing difficulty)
Skin Burns
Irritation
Home CareHome CareSeek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.
If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.
If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. Do NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.
If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her to fresh air.
Before Calling EmergencyBefore Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed
Poison ControlPoison Control
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 United States 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.
See: Poison control center - emergency numberPoison control center - emergency number
What to Expect at the Emergency RoomWhat to Expect at the Emergency RoomThe health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:
Breathing tube
Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
Fluids by IV
Oxygen
Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavagegastric lavage)
Surgical removal of burned skin (skin debridement)
Washing of the skin (irrigation) -- perhaps every few hours for several days
Outlook (Prognosis)Outlook (Prognosis)
How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.
Swallowing such poisons can have severe effects on many parts of the body. The outcome depends on the extent of this damage.
Damage can continue to occur for several weeks after the hydrocarbon was swallowed.If the poison gets into the lungs (aspiration), the lungs can be badly damaged.
References
Mirkin DB. Benzene and related aromatic hydrocarbons. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 94.
Update Date: 2/1/2010Update Date: 2/1/2010
Updated by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Browse the Encyclopedia
