Toluene/xylene

Home treatment:

DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING)!

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 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 at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be carried out on the patient:

• establish and maintain airway
• irrigate eyes and an eye exam
• treat the symptoms

Expectations (prognosis):

If the symptoms progress rapidly, the likelihood of recovery is not very good. Deaths have occurred as late as 3 days after ingestion of the product.

Inhalation of toluene or xylene also produces symptoms. Abuse of these solvents by inhalation may produce permanent neurological deficits.

Eye damage usually heals within 48 hours with proper medical attention.