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Hair tonic
Definition:
This poisoning is from ingestion of hair tonic.

Poisonous Ingredient:
Ethanol
Where Found:
  • Various hair tonics
Symptoms:
Home Treatment:
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY Poison Control. The person could accidentally inhale some vomit into the lungs.

If there is skin contamination from the product, wash thoroughly for 15 minutes.
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:
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. 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:
  • 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 inhaled poisons
    • A breathing tube may need to be inserted
    • Oxygen
    • Admission to the hospital or to the intensive care unit
    • Bronchoscopy (inserting a camera down the throat into the airway to evaluate the extent of burns to the airway and lungs)
  • 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.
Expectations (prognosis):
Prognosis and outcome depend on amount of exposure and time to treatment. Exposure to this toxin in high enough amounts can cause liver failure. Survival over 24 hours usually indicates that recovery will follow.
Review Date: 2/8/2002
Reviewed By: Kevin G. Wheeler, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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