Lifespan's A - Z Health Information Library

This poisoning is from swallowing aloe.

• Aloe
• Aloin

Aloe is found in many different products, including some hand creams,  burn medications, and cosmetics.

• Breathing difficulty (from inhalation)
• Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
• Severe burning or pain in the throat, nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
• Loss of vision
• Severe abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Skin irritation
• Rash

Stop using the product. It is important to contact Poison Control.

DO NOT make the person throw up.

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.

How well a patient does depends on how severe the poisoning is, whether there was an allergic reaction, and how quickly treatment was received. Symptoms normally go away when appropriately treated.