Definition

Varnish is a clear liquid coating. Varnish poisoning occurs when someone swallows varnish.

Poisonous Ingredient

Resin part:

• Amber
• Balsam
• Rosin
• Various substances produced from plants and insects (such as lac, urethanes)

Solvent part:

• Ethanol
• Mineral spirits
• Turpentine

Where Found

• Some varnishes

Symptoms

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Loss of vision
  • Severe pain in the throat
  • Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
• Gastrointestinal
  • Blood in the stool
  • Burns of the food pipe (esophagus)
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Vomiting blood
• Kidneys and bladder
  • Blood in urine
  • Kidney failure
• Lungs and airways
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
• Heart and blood
  • Burns
  • Collapse
  • Low blood pressure that develops rapidly
• Nervous system
  • Coma
  • Severe brain damage
  • Sleepiness
  • Stupor
• Skin
  • Irritation

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:

• Fluids by IV
• Breathing tube
• Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
• Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
• Oxygen
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)
• Surgical removal of burned skin (skin debridement)
• Washing of the skin (irrigation) -- perhaps every few hours for several days

Expectations (prognosis)

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Extensive damage is possible to the:

• Lungs
• Mouth
• Stomach
• Throat

The outcome depends on the extent of this damage. Damage can continue to occur for several weeks after the substance was swallowed.