Pencil erasers

• Definition
• Where Found
• Symptoms
• Home Treatment

• Before Calling Emergency
• Poison Control, or a local emergency number
• What to expect at the emergency room
• Expectations (prognosis)

Definition   

This poisoning is caused by swallowing a pencil eraser.

Where Found   

• Pencil erasers

Symptoms   

• May cause some intestinal obstruction, resulting in abdominal pain

Home Treatment   

Call Poison Control for further information.

Before Calling Emergency   

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   

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 poison container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room   

The symptoms will be treated if the patient is instructed to go to the emergency room.

Expectations (prognosis)   

Since pencil erasers are considered relatively nontoxic, recovery is likely.