Lifespan's A - Z Health Information Library

This poisoning is from swallowing hair tonic.

Ethanol (ethyl alcohol)

• Various hair tonics

• Coma
• Diarrhea
• Easily upset
• Increased urination
• Painful urination
• Slowed respirations
• Slurred speech
• Stupor (lack of alertness)
• Unsteady walk 
• Unable to walk in a normal manner
• Vomiting

DO NOT make a person throw up. Seek immediate medical help.

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) which make it hard to swallow.

If the chemical is in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

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

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

• Fluids
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage) 
• Medicines to treat an allergic reaction (diphenhydramine, epinephrine, or prednisone)
• Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach
• Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison

In severe cases, the patient may be admitted to the hospital.

How well a patient does depends on how much poison was swallowed and how quickly medical help was received.  Swallowing a large amount of the poison can cause liver failure. Survival over 24 hours usually means the patient will recover.