Definition
This is poisoning from swallowing ink remover.
Poisonous Ingredient
- Ethanol (drinking alcohol)
- Methanol (wood alcohol, which is extremely toxic)
- Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol, which can be very toxic if swallowed in large doses)
Where Found
- Ink removers
- Liquid bleaches
Symptoms
Symptoms for ethanol may include:
- Stupor
- Unconsciousness
- Decreased respirations
- Brain damage
Symptoms for methanol and isopropyl alcohol may include:
- Kidneys
- Kidney failure
- Lungs and airways
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Stopped breathing (see breathing difficulties - first aid)
- Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Blurred vision
- Blindness
- Dilation of the pupils
- Skin
- Cyanosis (blue skin, lips, or fingernails)
- Gastrointestinal
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heart and blood
- Low blood pressure
- Convulsions
- Severe disturbance in the level of acid in the blood (pH balance); leads to multi-organ failure
- Weakness
- Nervous system
- Muscles and bones
- Leg cramps
Home Treatment
DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional. Seek immediate medical help.
If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.
Before 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 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:
- Immediate hemodialysis may be required for survival
- Fluids by IV
- Medicines to treat symptoms
- Activated charcoal
- A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
- Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
- Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison (in some cases)
- Oxygen
- Breathing tube
- Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
- Irrigation (washing of the skin) -- perhaps every few hours for several days
Expectations (prognosis)
How well a patient does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a patient gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.
Methanol is by far the most dangerous and toxic ingredient. Permanent blindness is frequently reported.
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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