Propane

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Propane

Home Treatment:

DO NOT make the person vomit (throw up). If the propane touched the skin, wash the area thoroughly. If the propane was swallowed, give the person water or milk. If the propane was inhaled, move the person to fresh air.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

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.

They will tell you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. Bring the propane container with you to the emergency room.

See also Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room:

The patient may be given oxygen, and blood tests will be performed to determine the severity of exposure.

Expectations (prognosis):

Recovery depends on the amount of propane inhaled and how long the patient had contact with the poison. Those with short exposures may have temporary headaches or other mild nervous system symptoms. Stroke, coma, even death may occur with prolonged exposure.

Review Date: 4/8/2005
Reviewed By: William D. Whetstone M.D., Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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