Petroleum jelly overdose

• Alternative names
• Definition
• Poisonous Ingredient
• Where Found
• Symptoms

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

Alternative names   

Definition    Return to top

This is poisoning from excessive ingestion of petroleum jelly.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

• petroleum jelly (petrolatum)

Where Found    Return to top

• Vaseline
• some skin care products
• some eye lubricant ointments

Symptoms    Return to top

• mild laxative action (diarrhea)

Home Treatment    Return to top

Discontinue use. If consumed in large doses, call Poison Control.

This is a petroleum-based product which can cause severe problems if inhaled during vomiting. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY Poison Control.

If patient experiences prolonged diarrhea, consult personal physician.

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

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    Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Observe the patient.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Petroleum jelly is considered nontoxic. Recovery is likely.