Sunscreen ingestion

Definition

This poisoning is due to ingestion of a sunscreen.

Poisonous Ingredient

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)

Where Found

• Some sunscreen lotions
  

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Note: most toxic reactions to PABA are from allergic reactions, not overdoses.

• Respiratory
  o Slowed respirations (in extremely high doses)
  o Shortness of breath (more common in allergic reactions)
  
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o Eye irritation may occur after eye exposure
  
• Skin
  o Rash (allergic)
  
• Gastrointestinal
  o nausea and/or Vomiting
  
• Nervous system (all effects are with extremely high doses)
  o Dizziness
  o Stupor
  o Coma
  

Home Treatment
Call Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
  
• The name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength, 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