Aftershave poisoning

Aftershave is a lotion, gel, or liquid applied to the face after shaving. Many men use it. This article discusses the harmful effects from swallowing aftershave products.

This article is for information only. Do NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, 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

The harmful ingredients in aftershave are:

• Ethyl alcohol
• Isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol)

Aftershave may contain other harmful substances.

Where Found

Aftershaves are sold under various brand names.

Symptoms

Symptoms of aftershave poisoning may include:

• Abdominal pain

  Abdominal pain

  Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.

   

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• Change in alertness level (may become unconscious)
• Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)

  Coma

  Decreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness. A coma is a state of decreased alertness from which a person cannot be awakened. A long-term co...

   

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• Eye irritation (burning, redness, tears)
• Headache
• Low body temperature
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood sugar
• Nausea and vomiting (may contain blood)

  Vomiting

  Nausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up is forcing the contents of the stomach ...

   

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• Rapid heart rate
• Slowed breathing

  Slowed breathing

  Most people take breathing for granted. People with certain illnesses may have breathing problems that they deal with on a regular basis. This arti...

   

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• Slurred speech
• Stupor

  Stupor

  Decreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness. A coma is a state of decreased alertness from which a person cannot be awakened. A long-term co...

   

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• Throat pain
• Unable to walk normally

  Unable to walk normally

  Walking abnormalities are unusual and uncontrollable walking patterns. They are usually due to diseases or injuries to the legs, feet, brain, spinal...

   

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• Urination difficulties (too much or too little urine output)

Isopropanol may cause these other symptoms:

• Dizziness

  Dizziness

  Dizziness is a term that is often used to describe 2 different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo. Lightheadedness is a feeling that you might fai...

   

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• Unresponsive reflexes
• Uncoordinated movement

  Uncoordinated movement

  Uncoordinated movement is due to a muscle control problem that causes an inability to coordinate movements. It leads to a jerky, unsteady, to-and-fr...

   

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Children are especially prone to developing low blood sugar, which may cause these symptoms:

• Confusion
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Sleepiness
• Weakness

Home Care

Seek medical help right away. DO NOT make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.

If the person can swallow normally, give them water or milk, unless a provider tells you not to. DO NOT give water or milk if they have symptoms that make it hard to swallow. These include:

• Vomiting
• Seizures
• A decreased level of alertness

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• 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 tube through the mouth into the lungs and breathing machine (ventilator)
• Chest x-ray
• EKG (electrocardiogram or heart tracing)
• Dialysis (kidney machine)
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Laxative
• Medicine to treat the effects of the poison
• Tube from the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach ( gastric lavage )

  Gastric lavage

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

   

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Outlook (Prognosis)

Aftershave poisoning is more common in small children than in older children or adults. Alcoholics may drink aftershave when other alcohol runs out.

The outcome depends on how much the person swallows. The range of illness may vary from a condition similar to being drunk to coma, seizures, and severe lung problems. A product with more isopropyl alcohol could cause a more serious illness. Complications, such as pneumonia, muscle damage from lying on a hard surface for a prolonged period of time, or brain damage from lack of oxygen, may cause permanent disability.

Aftershave poisoning is not usually deadly.