Wood alcohol

Definition:

Methanol is an extremely toxic substance, which can cause fatal damage to the kidneys, as well as blindness. It also causes a disturbance in blood pH which can lead to multiple system failure and death. It is found in shellacs and paint removers.

Alternative Names:

Paint remover

Poisonous Ingredient:

methanol

Where Found:

paint remover
shellac

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

body as a whole
- weakness
- leg cramps
- convulsions
- severe disturbance in blood pH leading to multi-organ failure
Kidneys
- renal failure
respiratory
- rapid, shallow breathing
- stopped breathing (see breathing difficulties - first aid)
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- blurred vision
- blindness
- dilation of the pupils
skin
- cyanosis (blue skin, lips, or fingernails)
gastrointestinal
- nausea
- vomiting
heart and blood vessels
- low blood pressure
nervous system
- coma
- fatigue
- headache
- dizziness

Home Treatment:

Seek emergency medical care immediately. DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING). Dilute by drinking water.

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)
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:

For swallowed poison
- Immediate hemodialysis may be required for survival
- 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):

Methanol is extremely toxic. As little as 2 TABLEspoonfuls can be fatal to a child, and 2 to 8 oz. can be fatal to an adult. The ultimate outcome for the patient will be dependent on how much was swallowed and how soon appropriate care was given.

Review Date: 3/11/2002
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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