MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Stoddard solvent poisoning

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Stoddard solvent poisoning

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

Texsolve S poisoning; Varsol 1 poisoning

Definition Return to top

This is poisoning caused by swallowing or touching stoddard solvent, a flammable, liquid chemical that smells like kerosene.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Petroleum distillates

Where Found Return to top

Stoddard solvent (mineral spirits)
Paints
Dy cleaning fluids
Paint thinner
Toners used in copy machines

Note: This list is not necessarily all inclusive.

Symptoms Return to top

Whole body

Fever

Lungs

Cough
Breathing difficulty (severe)
Breathing - fast and shallow

Skin

Burns with prolonged contact

Gastrointestinal

Nausea
Vomiting
Weight loss
Burns in mouth and stomach

Heart and blood

Rapid heartbeat
Weakness

Nervous system

Unconsciousness
Nervousness
Dizziness
Convulsions
Numbness in arms and legs
Burning sensations
Headache
Memory problems

Home Care Return to top

DO NOT make the person throw up. This can cause more damage. Seek immediate medical help.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
Time it was swallowed
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

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

Medicines to treat symptoms and relieve pain
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
Skin washing with soap and water (if poison touches the skin)
Flushing of the eyes with water (if poison touches the eyes)

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

Recovery depends on how much damage there was to the lung.

Update Date: 3/21/2006

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

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