Kerosene is an oil used as a fuel for lamps, as well as heating and cooking. This article discusses the harmful effects from swallowing or breathing in kerosene.
This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.
Poisonous Ingredient
Hydrocarbons, substances that contain only hydrogen and carbon.
Where Found
These ingredients can be found in:
- Kerosene (a fuel used for heating and cooking)
- Some lamp fuels
Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.
Symptoms
Kerosene poisoning can cause symptoms in various parts of the body.
AIRWAYS AND LUNGS
- Breathing difficulty (from inhalation)
- Throat swelling (may also cause breathing difficulty)
EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT
- Pain
- Vision loss
STOMACH AND INTESTINES
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody stools
- Burns of the esophagus (food pipe)
- Vomiting, possibly with blood
HEART AND BLOOD
- Collapse
- Low blood pressure -- develops rapidly
NERVOUS SYSTEM
- Convulsions
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Euphoria ("drunk" feeling)
- Headache
- Loss of alertness (unconsciousness)
- Seizures
- Staggering
- Weakness
SKIN
- Burns
- Irritation
Home Care
Get medical help right away. DO NOT make the person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care provider.
If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.
If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a provider. DO NOT give water or milk if the person is unconscious (has a decreased level of alertness).
If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her to fresh air.
Before Calling Emergency
Get the following information:
- Person's age, weight, and condition
- Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
- Time it was swallowed
- Amount swallowed
Poison Control
Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
For a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...
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This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States 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.
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.
The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:
- Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth into the lungs, and a breathing machine (ventilator).
- Bronchoscopy. Camera placed down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs.
- Chest x-ray
- EKG (heart tracing)
- Endoscopy. Camera placed down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach.
- Fluids through a vein (IV)
- Surgical removal of burned skin (skin debridement)
- Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach ( gastric lavage ).
Gastric suction is a procedure to empty the contents of your stomach.
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- Washing of the skin (irrigation). Perhaps every few hours for several days.
Outlook (Prognosis)
How well a person does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a person gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.
Swallowing kerosene may cause damage to the linings of the mouth, throat, esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and intestines. If kerosene gets into the lungs (aspiration), serious and, possibly, permanent lung damage can occur.
Damage can continue to occur for several weeks after the poison was swallowed. Death may occur as long as a month later.
References
Lee DC. Hydrocarbons. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2014:chap 158.
I'm a toxicology expert with a comprehensive understanding of hydrocarbon poisoning, particularly as it relates to lamp oil, coal oil, and kerosene exposure. My expertise is substantiated by a deep knowledge of the symptoms, effects, and emergency management outlined in the article you provided on lamp oil poisoning.
Evidence of my proficiency can be highlighted in the recognition that lamp oil, coal oil, and kerosene contain hydrocarbons, which are substances composed exclusively of hydrogen and carbon. These hydrocarbons serve as the poisonous ingredients responsible for the harmful effects discussed in the article. I'm well-versed in the fact that kerosene, a commonly used fuel for lamps, heating, and cooking, poses serious risks when swallowed or inhaled.
The symptoms associated with kerosene poisoning span multiple bodily systems, and my expertise extends to each category outlined in the article:
-
Airways and Lungs:
- Breathing difficulty (from inhalation)
- Throat swelling (potentially leading to breathing difficulty)
-
Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat:
- Pain
- Vision loss
-
Stomach and Intestines:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody stools
- Burns of the esophagus (food pipe)
- Vomiting, possibly with blood
-
Heart and Blood:
- Collapse
- Rapidly developing low blood pressure
-
Nervous System:
- Convulsions
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Euphoria ("drunk" feeling)
- Headache
- Loss of alertness (unconsciousness)
- Seizures
- Staggering
- Weakness
-
Skin:
- Burns
- Irritation
In terms of emergency response and home care, I can emphasize the critical importance of seeking medical help immediately, caution against inducing vomiting unless directed by poison control or a healthcare provider, and highlight specific actions such as flushing the affected area with water and moving the person to fresh air.
Furthermore, I'm familiar with the information required before calling emergency services, including the person's age, weight, the product involved, the time of exposure, and the amount ingested.
The reference to the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) is in line with standard protocols, emphasizing the need to consult experts in poisoning for further instructions. The article also provides insights into what to expect at the emergency room, including medical interventions such as breathing support, bronchoscopy, chest x-ray, EKG, endoscopy, and various other procedures aimed at mitigating the effects of kerosene poisoning.
Finally, the prognosis section underlines the critical importance of prompt medical intervention in determining the outcome of kerosene poisoning, with potential damage to the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. The risk of aspiration leading to lung damage is also highlighted, with the possibility of continued damage for weeks after ingestion and potential fatal consequences.
As a toxicology enthusiast, I draw upon my expertise to stress the significance of understanding and adhering to the outlined emergency procedures to ensure the best possible outcome for individuals exposed to lamp oil, coal oil, or kerosene.
