Hand lotions and creams

Definition

This poisoning is from ingestion of a hand lotion or cream.

Poisonous Ingredient

• Dimethicone
  
• Various trace alcohols
  

Where Found

• Various hand lotions and creams
  

Symptoms

• Possible intestinal obstruction, resulting in abdominal pain
  
• Diarrhea
  

Home Treatment
There is no home treatment. Call the Poison Control center for further information.

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
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 inserted
  o Oxygen
  o Admission to the hospital or to the intensive care unit
  o Bronchoscopy (inserting a camera down the throat into the airway to evaluate the extent of burns to the airway and lungs)
  
• For skin exposure
  o Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days
  o Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin)
  o Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care