Hair tonic

Definition

This poisoning is from ingestion of hair tonic.

Poisonous Ingredient

Ethanol

Where Found

• Various hair tonics
  

Symptoms

• Body as a whole
  o Listing from side to side
  o Unable to walk in a normal manner
  o Slurred speech
  o Easily upset
  o Painful urination
  
• Respiratory
  o Slowed respirations
  
• Gastrointestinal
  o Vomiting
  o Diarrhea
  
• Nervous system
  o Stupor
  o Coma
  

Home Treatment
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY Poison Control. The person could accidentally inhale some vomit into the lungs.

If there is skin contamination from the product, wash thoroughly for 15 minutes.

Before Calling Emergency

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
  

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:

• 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
  o Activated charcoal administration
  o 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
  
• For inhaled poisons
  o A breathing tube may need to be insertedo Oxygeno Admission to the hospital or to the intensive care unito Bronchoscopy (inserting a camera down the throat into the airway to evaluate the extent of burns to the airway and lungs)