MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Ink

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Ink - writing

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Home Care Before Calling Emergency Poison Control What to Expect at the Emergency Room Outlook (Prognosis)

Alternative Names

Pen ink

Definition Return to top

This is poisoning from swallowing ink found in writing instruments (pens).

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Writing ink is generally considered non-toxic.

Where Found Return to top

Pens

Symptoms Return to top

May cause eye irritation
Staining of skin and other mucous membranes

Home Care Return to top

Seek immediate medical help.

Note: Large amounts of writing ink must be consumed (more than an ounce) before treatment is necessary. Contact Poison Control or your local emergency number for more information.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

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 Return to top

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 U.S. 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 National Poison Control center.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Washing of ink from the eyes or skin
Treat the symptoms

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

As these products are generally considered non-toxic, recovery is very likely.

Update Date: 5/16/2006

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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