Kerosene Health Article

Definition

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.

Alternative Names

Lamp oil poisoning; Coal oil poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

• Hydrocarbons, substances that contain only hydrogen and carbon.

Where Found

• Kerosene (a fuel used for heating and cooking)
• Some lamp fuels

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Airways and lungs
  • Breathing difficulty (from inhalation)
  • Throat swelling (may also cause breathing difficulty)
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Pain
  • Vision loss
• Gastrointestinal
  • 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
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Euphoria ("drunk" feeling)
  • Headache
  • Loss of alertness (unconciousness)
  • Staggering
  • Weakness
• Skin
  • Burns
  • Irritation

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

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

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

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.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number