Nail polish

Definition

This poisoning is from nail polish.

Poisonous Ingredient

• Toluene
  
• Butyl acetate
  
• Ethyl acetate
  
• Dibutyl phthalate
  

Where Found

• Various fingernail polishes
  

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Body as a whole
  o Acting as if drunk
  o Increased need to urinate
  
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o Eye irritation and possible cornea damage
  
• Respiratory
  o Difficulty breathing
  o Slowed breathing rate
  o Shortness of breath
  
• Gastrointestinal
  o nausea and/or Vomiting
  o Abdominal pain
  
• Nervous system
  o Drowsiness
  o Coma
  o Stupor
  

Home Treatment
Do not induce Vomiting. Seek emergency medical care immediately.

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 (gastric lavage)
  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 stomacho Give IV fluidso Admission to the hospitalo Give an antidoteo Treat the symptoms