| Definition: |
This poisoning is from an overdose of menthol.
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| Poisonous Ingredient: |
Menthol
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| Where Found: |
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
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| Symptoms: |
- Body as a whole
- Respiratory
- Gastrointestinal
- Heart and blood vessels
- Nervous system
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| Home Treatment: |
If the menthol is in ointment/cream form, wipe away any that remains on the skin's surface. Call Poison Control for further guidance. If any ingestion or toxic exposure is suspected, seek emergency medical care immediately.
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| Before Calling Emergency: |
Determine the following:- 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
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| 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.
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| What to expect at the emergency room: |
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
- For swallowed poison
- Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach
- Activated charcoal administration
- Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach
- Give IV fluids
- Admission to the hospital.
- Give an antidote
- Treat the symptoms
- For skin exposure
- Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days
- Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin)
- Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care
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| Expectations (prognosis): |
The extent of toxicity depends on the amount of exposure and time to treatment. Survival past 48 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will occur.
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