Sports cream overdose

Sports creams are creams or ointments used to treat aches and pains. Sports cream overdose can occur if someone uses this product on open skin (such as an open sore or wound), or swallows or gets the product in their eyes. This can be by accident or on purpose.

When used on healthy skin, overdose is not likely. But a person can have an allergic reaction to the cream or ointment.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual overdose. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

Two ingredients in sports creams that can be poisonous are:

• Menthol
• Methyl salicylate

  Methyl salicylate

  Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) is a chemical that smells like wintergreen. It is used in many over-the-counter products, including muscle ac...

   

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Where Found

Methyl salicylates and menthol are found in many over-the-counter pain-relieving creams.

Symptoms

Below are symptoms of sports cream overdose in different parts of the body.

AIRWAYS AND LUNGS

• No breathing
• Rapid breathing

  Rapid breathing

  Hyperventilation is rapid and deep breathing. It is also called overbreathing, and it may leave you feeling breathless.

   

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• Shallow breathing

EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT

• Eye irritation
• Loss of vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Throat swelling

KIDNEYS

• Kidney failure

NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fever
• Hallucinations

OTHER (FROM EATING THE POISON)

• Collapse
• Convulsions

  Convulsions

  A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term "seizure...

   

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• Hyperactivity

SKIN

• Rash (usually an allergic reaction)
• Mild burn (in extremely high doses)

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

• Nausea
• Vomiting, possibly with blood

Home Care

If the cream was swallowed or placed in the eyes, seek medical treatment right away. Flush the eyes with water and remove any cream that remains on the skin. Do NOT make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
• When it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) 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.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated. The person may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Blood and urine tests
• Breathing support, including oxygen and a tube through the mouth into the lungs
• Chest x-ray
• EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Intravenous fluids (through a vein)
• A laxative
• Medicine to reverse the effects of the poison (antidote) and treat symptoms
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach ( gastric lavage )

  Gastric lavage

  Gastric suction is a procedure to empty the contents of your stomach.

   

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If the poisoning occurred through skin exposure, the person may receive:

• Washing (irrigation) of the skin, perhaps every few hours for several days
• Antibiotic ointment (after skin irrigation)
• Surgery to remove burned skin (debridement)

If the poisoning occurred through eye exposure, the person may receive:

• Irrigation of the eyes
• Ointment to treat the eyes

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well a person does depends on the amount of poison in the body and how quickly the treatment was received. The faster a person gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery. Recovery is likely if the effects can be reversed.