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Warning-sign checks

Lip moisturizer 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 now if the person:

    • Has trouble breathing, blue or grey lips, or severe wheezing
    • Has a seizure, collapses, or cannot be awakened normally
    • Is choking or may have swallowed part of the container
    • Has swelling of the tongue or throat
    • Is severely confused, unsteady, or difficult to keep awake

    A minor taste of a standard lip balm without symptoms can often be managed with poison-centre advice rather than an emergency visit.

    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

    Contact a poison centre promptly if a child or adult swallowed more than a small taste, the amount is unknown, the product contains camphor or other medicinal ingredients, or the label cannot be identified.

    Do not wait for symptoms before calling about a potentially significant camphor exposure.

    Seek urgent medical assessment for repeated vomiting, worsening abdominal pain, shaking, unusual behaviour, marked drowsiness, or ongoing eye pain after rinsing.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up may be appropriate if mild stomach symptoms do not settle as expected or irritation continues after the immediate exposure.

The article also says

Place someone having a seizure on their side if possible, move nearby hard objects away, and do not put anything in their mouth.

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