Find a Doctor Employment at WakeMed Events & Education For Physicians For Employees Contact Us

Health Care Encyclopedia

Health Information Encyclopedia - Poison


Stoddard solvent poisoning

Definition:

This is poisoning caused by swallowing or touching�stoddard solvent, a flammable, liquid chemical that smells like kerosene.



Alternative Names: Texsolve S poisoning; Varsol 1 poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient:

Petroleum distillates



Where Found:
  • Stoddard solvent (mineral spirits)
  • Paints
  • Dy cleaning fluids
  • Paint thinner
  • Toners used in copy machines
Note: This list is not necessarily all inclusive.

Symptoms:

Whole body

  • Fever

Lungs

  • Cough
  • Breathing difficulty (severe)
  • Breathing - fast and shallow

Skin

  • Burns with prolonged contact

Gastrointestinal

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Burns in mouth and stomach

Heart and blood

Nervous system



Home Treatment:

DO NOT make the person throw up. This can cause more damage. Seek immediate medical help.



Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

  • Patient's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, 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:

  • Medicines to treat symptoms and relieve pain
  • A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage) ��
  • Skin washing with soap and water (if poison touches the skin)
  • Flushing of the eyes with water (if poison touches the eyes)


Expectations (prognosis):

Recovery depends on how much damage there was to the lung.




Review Date: 3/21/2006
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.

adam.com

Heart Center
Women's Pavilion & Birthplace
Children's Center
Center for Patient Safety
Emergency Services/Trauma
Rehab


To read our disclaimer, click here