Poison Control: Your online resource for expert help
The bottom line
What do people want to know when they get online help from Poison Control? Rest assured, Poison Control is the trusted, expert resource for all kinds of encounters with poison. Use the webPOISONCONTROL online tool to get triage and treatment recommendations prepared by experts.
The full story
What kind of questions does Poison Control answer? Here are a few sample questions and the rationale for webPOISONCONTROL's recommendations:
“I went to answer the phone and my 3-year-old took a swig of lamp oil.” Lamp oil can cause severe or even fatal pneumonia. But if the child is not coughing or choking right after swallowing it, undoubtedly it's all in the stomach instead of the airway, and emergency room (ER) evaluation is unnecessary.
“My 15-month-old daughter drank some glue remover for artificial nails. It’s not like her to nap in the afternoon. Should I wake her up?" Acetonitrile is sometimes used to remove artificial nails. It's metabolized to cyanide in the body and therefore can be deadly. This child needs to be taken by ambulance to the ER right away!!
“I just drank from a bottle of Gatorade, but the liquid inside tasted funny. After I swallowed, my husband told me he had poured leftover windshield wiper fluid into the once-empty bottle to later store in the garage." Windshield wiper fluid may contain methanol – a deadly alcohol that causes blindness and coma. This woman was sent straight to the ER for the antidote. Container transfer is implicated in some of the most serious unintentional poisonings.
If you suspect someone has been poisoned, use the webPOISONCONTROL® tool for guidance from Poison Control. If you prefer, you can call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222.
