Hair spray lacquer

Definition

This poisoning is from inhalation of a hair spray.

Poisonous Ingredient

• Denatured alcohol
  
• Carboxylmethylcellulose
  
• Polyvinyl alcohol
  
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone
  

Where Found

• Various hair sprays
  

Symptoms

• Respiratory
  o Difficulty breathing (from inhalation or allergic reaction)
  
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o Burning pain in the throat
  o Blurred vision
  o Burns to the eye
  
• Skin
  o Rash
  
• Gastrointestinal
  o Vomiting
  o Abdominal pain
  o Diarrhea (watery, bloody)
  
• Heart and blood vessels
  o Low blood pressure
  
• Nervous system
  o Stupor
  o Coma
  

Home Treatment
For any toxic exposure or allergic reaction, seek medical care immediately. Give the patient milk or water to dilute the aluminum salts, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider or the patient is unable to swallow due to convulsions or unconsciousness.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
  
• Tthe name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
  
• The time it was inhaled
  

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. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Treat the allergic reaction with diphenhydramine and prednisone.
  
• For swallowed poison:
  o Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage).o Activated charcoal administrationo Endoscopy - the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach.o Give IV fluids.o Admission to the hospital.o Give an antidote.o Treat the symptoms.