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Health Information Encyclopedia - Poison


Incense

Definition:

This is poisoning�from swallowing�liquid incense. Incense is a material that creates a smell when it is burned.�

Solid incense is not considered poisonous.



Poisonous Ingredient:
  • Aromatic oils
  • Nitrites (including amyl nitrite)
  • Nitrates


Where Found:

Liquid incense is sold on the Internet under a variety of brand names. It is usually described as a room deodorizer, despite being sold for other purposes. Liquid incense that is breated in (inhaled) is called a�"popper."



Symptoms:

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.



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
  • A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)�
  • Medicines to treat an allergic reaction (diphenhydramine,�prednisone)
  • Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach
  • Methylene blue, a medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
  • Breathing tube to help with breathing


Expectations (prognosis):

Overdose is common in people who sniff or drink liquid incense. Abusing liquid incense is as dangerous as taking other illicit drugs.

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.




Review Date: 3/13/2006
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician 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. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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