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 Naphthalene

 

  • Alternative names
  • Definition
  • Poisonous Ingredient
  • Where Found
  • Symptoms
  • Before Calling Emergency
  • Poison Control, or a local emergency number
  • What to expect at the emergency room
  • Expectations (prognosis)
  • References

Alternative names   

Moth balls; Moth flakes; Camphor tar

Definition    Return to top

Naphthalene is a white solid substance with a strong smell. Poisoning from naphthalene damages red blood cells.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

Naphthalene

Where Found    Return to top

  • Moth repellent
  • Toilet bowl deodorizers

Symptoms    Return to top

Stomach problems may occur a day after exposure to the poison. They include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea

The patient may also have a fever. Over time, the following additional symptoms may occur:

  • Pain when urinating
  • Low urine output (may stop completely)
  • Hematuria (blood in urine)
  • Convulsions
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
  • Low blood pressure
  • Jaundice  
  • Headache
  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Coma

Before Calling Emergency    Return to top

Determine the following information:

  • the patient's age, weight, and condition
  • name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
  • the time it was swallowed
  • the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number    Return to top

If you suspect possible poisoning, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Call 1-800-222-1222 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.

Take any containers with you to the emergency room, if possible.

What to expect at the emergency room    Return to top

The patient will be given medications to treat the symptoms and may be forced to vomit. A procedure called gastric lavage may also be performed.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

If the patient has convulsions and coma, the outlook for recovery is not good. Those who do recover take several weeks or longer to overcome some of the toxic effects.

References    Return to top

Roberts JR, Hedges JR. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 4th Ed.Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2004;749-766.

Ford MD,  Clinical Toxicology. 1st Ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2001.





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