Matches - ingestion

Home treatment:

For potassium chlorate, induce emesis (vomiting) unless patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions. Before inducing emesis, contact Poison Control to verify that is what should be done. 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.

For red phosphorus and phosphorous sesquisulfide, call Poison Control for further information.

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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the person to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. 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:

• for potassium chlorate
  • Establish and maintain airway.
  • Induce emesis.
  • Administer activated charcoal.
  • Use gastric lavage.
  • Treat the symptoms.

• for red phosphorus and phosphorous sesquisulfide
  • Patient may not need to be seen in the emergency room.
  • Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

For potassium chlorate: Recovery will normally occur, if symptoms were mild or no longer present after 12 hours. Death can occur as late as 1 week after ingestion in more serious cases.

For red phosphorus: Since this is relatively nontoxic, recovery should occur.

For phosphorous sesquisulfide: No prognosis (probable outcome) available.