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Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
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Ency. home > Poison > G > Gasoline

Gasoline   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment

Home Treatment

For any ingestion, seek emergency medical care immediately. DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING). If the person is conscious, give milk or water to dilute the hydrocarbon.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

  • Tthe patient's age, weight, and condition
  • Tthe time the gasoline was swallowed
  • The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or Local Emergency Number

See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring the poison 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
    • 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 debridment (surgical removal of burned skin)
    • Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care

Expectations (Prognosis):

Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage. Damage can continue to occur for several weeks after the hydrocarbon was swallowed. Death may occur as long as a month after the hydrocarbon was swallowed.

Ency. home > Poison > G > Gasoline

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