Sachets

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

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Sachets

Definition:

Poisoning from ingestion of the ingredients of a sachet.

Alternative Names:

Potpourri

Poisonous Ingredient:

Potpourri is generally considered to be non-toxic.

Where Found:

Various sachets

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

Respiratory (usually from allergic reactions)
- Shallow breathing
- May also be rapid
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Throat irritation
- Eye irritation
Gastrointestinal
Nervous system
- Unconsciousness
- Dizziness

Home Treatment:

With any potentially toxic ingestion or allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care immediately. DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING) UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.

Before Calling Emergency:

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

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:

Treat the allergic reaction with diphenhydramine and prednisone.
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 (gastric lavage).
- 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.

Expectations (prognosis):

Sachets are considered minimally poisonous. Survival past 48 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will occur. With any potentially toxic ingestion or allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care immediately.

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