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Warning-sign checks

Methyl salicylate overdose: 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

    Treat any suspected swallowing of oil of wintergreen or another concentrated methyl salicylate product as an emergency.

    Contact your local poison centre or emergency service immediately.

    Call emergency services now if the person has:

    • Fast, deep, or difficult breathing
    • Confusion, severe agitation, or unusual drowsiness
    • A seizure, collapse, or loss of consciousness
    • Repeated vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
    • Fever, severe weakness, or rapidly worsening symptoms
    • Blue or grey lips, chest distress, or signs of low oxygen

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • 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 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

    Do not wait for symptoms or try to judge safety from the amount missing.

    After hospital discharge, seek urgent reassessment for renewed rapid breathing, repeated vomiting, worsening confusion, reduced urination, or new breathing difficulty.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate for stable, improving symptoms or planned checks requested at discharge.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is having side effects from a medicine, or is struggling to take it as prescribed

The article also says

If the product has been spilled over the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash the skin with soap and water while seeking poison-centre advice.

Avoid exposing yourself to the product during cleanup.

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