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Health Care Encyclopedia

Health Information Encyclopedia - Poison


Water colors

Definition:

Poisoning caused by an overdose of water colors.



Poisonous Ingredient:

Water colors are generally considered non-toxic.



Where Found:
  • Various water color products
Note: This list is not inclusive of brand names.

Symptoms:

HOME WATER COLORS ARE NOT CONSIDERED TOXIC.

Several tubes of the artist's water colors would need to be consumed to see any toxic affects from the aniline.



Home Treatment:

If swallowed: For gum cambogia, give milk or water to decrease possible harm to the stomach and intestinal tract. This also delays its absorption.

If on skin or clothing:

  • Remove clothes.
  • Wash with soap and water.


Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

  • The patient's age, weight, and condition
  • The name of the 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:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring the poison container with you to the emergency room. A trip to the emergency room will normally not be necessary.



What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

  • For home water colors:
    • Observe the patient.
    • Treat the symptoms.
  • For aniline:
    • Induce vomiting.
    • Administer activated charcoal.
    • Use gastric lavage.
    • Maintain breathing.
    • Treat the symptoms.
  • For gum cambogia:
    • Give fluids.
    • Use gastric lavage.
    • Induce vomiting.
    • Administer a cathartic (bowel evacuator).
    • Treat the symptoms.


Expectations (prognosis):
  • For home water colors -- Recovery very likely.
  • For aniline -- Recovery is normally very likely if patient can survive the first 24 hours.
  • For gum cambogia -- Survival past 48 hours usually indicates recovery will occur.



Review Date: 4/16/2004
Reviewed By: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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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