Photographic fixative poisoningDefinition: This poisoning is from swallowing photographic fixative.
Alternative Names: Photographic developer poisoning; Hydroquinone poisoning; Quinone poisoning; Sulfite poisoning
Poisonous Ingredient: - Hydroquinones
- Quinones
- Sodium thiosulfite
- Sodium sulfite/bisulfite
- Boric acid
Photographic fixative can also break down (decompose) to form sulfur dioxide gas.
Where Found: These chemicals are found in products used to develop photographs.
Symptoms: - Lungs
- Difficulty breathing (from inhalation or allergic reaction)
- Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Skin
- Gastrointestinal
- Heart and blood vessels
- Nervous system
Home Treatment: Seek immediate emergency medical help. Give water or milk�unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions. Contact Poison Control for further guidance.
Before Calling Emergency: Determine the following information: - The patient's age, weight, and condition
- Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, 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: - Medicines to treat symptoms
- Fluids by IV
- Activated charcoal
- A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)�
- Medicines to treat an allergic reaction (diphenhydramine, epinephrine, or prednisone)
- Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach
Expectations (prognosis): How well the patient does depends on how much of the poison was swallowed and how quickly the patient received medical help.�Swallowing these products can�cause severe effects on many parts of the body. The faster treatment is received, the greater�the chance of recovery.
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