Acetone Poisoning

Timeline

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

Symptoms & Signs

• Cardiovascular system
  • Low blood pressure
• Gastrointestinal system
  • Nausea
  • Pain in belly area (abdomen)
  • Person may have a fruity odor
  • Sweet taste in mouth
  • Vomiting
• Nervous system
  • Acting as if drunk
  • Coma
  • Drowsiness
  • Stupor
• Respiratory system
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Slowed breathing rate
  • Shortness of breath
• Urinary system
  • Increased need to urinate

Prognosis

Accidentally drinking small amounts of acetone/nail polish remover is unlikely to harm you as an adult. However even small amounts can be dangerous to your child, so it is important to keep this and all household chemicals in a safe place.

If the person survives past 48 hours, the chances for recovery are good.

Ingredient

Acetone; Dimethyl formaldehyde; Dimethyl ketone

Control

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 United States 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: Poison control center - emergency number

Care

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.

During Treatment

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

• Activated charcoal if the patient arrives immediately after swallowing the poison
• Tube through the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
• Oxygen, if needed

Source

• Fingernail polish remover
• Some cleaning solutions
• Some glues, including rubber cement
• Some lacquers

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

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