sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Candles poisoning: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, choking with inability to speak or cough effectively, blue or gray skin, fainting, seizure, severe confusion, or inability to wake.

    If several people in the same space develop headache, dizziness, nausea, or confusion, leave the area and treat possible carbon monoxide exposure as an emergency.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical care if coughing begins after swallowing liquid candle fuel, even if the person initially appeared well.

    Also seek care for repeated vomiting, increasing abdominal pain, fever, wheezing, unusual drowsiness, persistent eye pain, vision changes, or a worsening burn.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine medical follow-up if mild stomach symptoms continue, a skin reaction does not improve, or candle fragrances repeatedly trigger headaches, coughing, or asthma symptoms.

    A clinician can help identify practical ways to reduce future exposure.

The article also says

A person who remains well after a small taste of ordinary wax may only need home observation after consultation with poison control.

Follow the specialist's instructions about food, fluids, and how long to watch for symptoms.

To prevent another exposure, store candles, fuel refills, fragrance oils, and wax melts in their original containers and out of children's reach.

Never transfer lamp oil into a drink bottle or food container.

Use candles on stable, heat-resistant surfaces, keep them away from anything that can burn, and extinguish them before leaving the room or going to sleep.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Candles poisoning. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.