MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Paints

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Paints - oil type

Contents of this page:
Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms Home Treatment	Before Calling Emergency Poison Control, or a local emergency number What to expect at the emergency room Expectations (prognosis)

Definition

Poisoning from an ingestion of oil-based paint.

Poisonous Ingredient

Hydrocarbons are the primary poisonous ingredient in oil paints.

Some oil paints have heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cobalt, and barium added as pigment. These heavy metals can cause additional toxicity if consumed in sufficient quantities.

Where Found

Various oil-based paints

Symptoms

Respiratory
- Cough
- Shallow breathing -- may also be rapid or slow
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Eye and nose irritation
Gastrointestinal
Rapid heartbeat
Nervous system
- Headache
- Visual changes
- Light-headedness
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Irritation
- Confusion
- Stupor
- Unconsciousness
- Coma

Home Treatment

Call Poison Control:.1-800-222-1222.

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.

If the patient is conscious give a small amount of fluid (milk or water) to stop irritation and burning of mouth and throat.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

The patient's age, weight, and condition
The name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
The time it was swallowed
The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The Poison Control or local emergency telephone representative will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. The national Poison Control hotline can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.

Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Gastric lavage (Will generally be done only in cases in which the paint contains toxic additives swallowed in significant amounts)
Administration of activated charcoal
Administration of a laxative
Administration of fluids
Treatment of symptoms

Expectations (prognosis)

Survival past 48 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will occur. If any damage to the kidneys or lungs has occurred, it may take several months to heal.

Update Date: 5/23/2003

Updated by: Todd Severson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.