Vicks Vaporub overdose

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Vicks Vaporub overdose

Definition:

Poisoning due to an overdose of camphor.

Alternative Names:

Camphor overdose

Poisonous Ingredient:

Camphor

Where Found:

Camphorated oil
Vicks Vaporub
Some moth repellents
Topical pain relievers

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

Twitching facial muscles
Muscle spasms
Excessive thirst
Convulsions
Rigid muscles
Slow breathing
Burning of the mouth or the throat
Skin irritation
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Rapid pulse
Restlessness or agitation
Unusual behavior
Unconsciousness

Home Treatment:

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING unless instructed to do so by 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)
When it was swallowed
The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

If you are concerned about a camphor overdose, seek medical care immediately. See poison control centers for the national telephone number. 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:

Giving activated charcoal.
Using gastric lavage (pumping the stomach).
Supporting breathing.
Controlling seizures.

Expectations (prognosis):

The extent of illness and chance of survival will depend on the amount of exposure and how much time passed before treatment.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.