Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
Wax poisoning - paraffin
Home Treatment
Do NOT make the person throw up. Contact Poison Control for guidance.
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
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 United States 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 the container with you to the hospital, if possible.
See:
What to expect at the emergency room
The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:
- Fluids through a vein (IV)
- Blood and urine tests
- Medications to treat symptoms
Expectations (prognosis)
Paraffin is generally nontoxic (not harmful) if swallowed in small amounts. Recovery is likely.
Previous Section
Review Date: 08/03/2011
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St.
Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by
VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA,
Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
