Propane

Home treatment:

DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING) ! If the skin was exposed, wash the area. If the propane was swallowed, give the person water or milk. If the propane was inhaled, move the person to fresh air.

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. Bring the propane container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Induce emesis (This should be done only under a health care provider's supervision, to prevent any chemical from getting into the lungs while the patient is vomiting).
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Administer a cathartic (a bowel evacuator).
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

If the propane was swallowed, the amount of lung damage dictates the length of recovery, if the patient survives the first 24 hours. For patients who experienced skin exposure or inhalation, the sooner appropriate treatment is given the less harm done and the more rapid the recovery.