Causes and Risks:

• acetone

Where Found:

• some cleaning agents
• some lacquers
• various fingernail polishes
• rubber cement

Symptoms:

• body as a whole
  • acting as if drunk
  • increased need to urinate
• respiratory
  • difficulty breathing
  • slowed breathing rate
  • shortness of breath
• gastrointestinal
  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • abdominal pain
• nervous system
  • coma
  • stupor

Home Treatment: The normal treatment is to induce vomiting (emesis) unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions; however, before inducing emesis, contact Poison Control to verify that is the correct treatment.

If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed.

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult. Follow with 1/2 glass or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

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

Call Poison Control: 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: Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Use gastric lavage.
• Induce emesis.
• Administer oxygen if needed.
• Treat the symptoms.

Survival past 48 hours usually indicates recovery will occur.