Diesel oil

Diesel oil is a heavy oil used in diesel engines. Diesel oil poisoning occurs when someone swallows diesel oil.

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

Various hydrocarbons

Where Found

Diesel oil

Symptoms

Diesel oil poisoning can cause symptoms in many parts of the body.

EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT

• Loss of vision
• Severe pain in the throat
• Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

• Blood in the stool

  Blood in the stool

  Bloody stools often are a sign of a problem in the digestive tract. Blood in the stool may come from anywhere along your digestive tract from your m...

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Burns of the throat (esophagus)
• Severe 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.

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Vomiting
• Vomiting blood

  Vomiting blood

  Vomiting blood is regurgitating (throwing up) contents of the stomach that contains blood. Vomited blood may appear either a bright red or dark red c...

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article

HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS

• Collapse
• Low blood pressure that develops rapidly

  Low blood pressure

  Low blood pressure occurs when blood pressure is much lower than normal. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body do not get enough ...

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article

LUNGS AND AIRWAYS

• Breathing difficulty
• Throat swelling (may also cause breathing difficulty)
• Asphyxia
• Chemical pneumonitis
• Secondary bacterial or viral infection
• Hemorrhagic pulmonary edema
• Respiratory distress or failure
• Pneumothorax
• Pleural effusion
• Empyema

Many of the most dangerous effects of hydrocarbon (such as diesel oil) poisoning are due to inhaling the fumes.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Agitation
• Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Incoordination
• Somnolence
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Weakness
• Brain damage from low oxygen levels
• Seizures

SKIN

• Burns
• Irritation

Home Care

Seek medical help right away. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. Do NOT give water or milk if the person is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.

If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

Before Calling Emergency

Get the following information:

• The person's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, 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

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

• Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth and into the lungs, connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)
• Bronchoscopy: camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
• Chest x-ray
• EKG (heart tracing)
• Endoscopy: camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
• Fluids through the vein (by IV)
• Surgical removal of burned skin (skin debridement)
• Tube through 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.

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Washing of the skin (irrigation), perhaps every few hours for several days

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well the person does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster the person gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Swallowing diesel fuel can damage the linings of the:

• Esophagus
• Intestines
• Mouth
• Stomach
• Throat

Serious and permanent damage can occur if the diesel gets into the lungs.

The harsh taste of diesel fuel makes it unlikely that a large amount will be swallowed. However, cases of poisoning have occurred in people trying to suck (siphon) gas from an automobile tank using their mouth and a garden hose (or similar tube). This practice is very dangerous and is not advised.