Deodorant poisoning

Definition

Deodorant poisoning occurs when someone swallows deodorant.

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 the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control 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 deodorant are:

Aluminum salts
Ethyl alcohol

Deodorant may contain other harmful substances.

Where Found

Various deodorants contain these ingredients.

Symptoms

Symptoms of deodorant poisoning include:

Abdominal pain
Blurred vision
Breathing difficulty
Burning pain in the throat
Collapse
Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)
Diarrhea (watery, bloody)
Inability to walk normally
Lack of alertness (stupor)
Low blood pressure
No urine output
Rash
Slurred speech
Vomiting

If deodorant gets in your eye, burns to the eye may occur.

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 swallowed deodorant, give them water or milk right away, unless a provider tells you not to. Do not give water or milk if the person has symptoms that make it hard to swallow. These symptoms are:

Vomiting
Convulsions
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 control 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 to the hospital with you, 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:

Blood and urine tests
Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and breathing machine (ventilator)
Endoscopy (camera placed down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach)
Fluids through a vein (by IV)
Medicines to treat the effects of the poison

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well someone does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly they receive treatment. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery.

Severe poisoning is unlikely.

References

Farmer B. Poisoning: overview of approaches for evaluation and treatment. In: Vincent J-L, Moore FA, Bellomo R, Marini JJ, eds. Textbook of Critical Care. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 140.

Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS. Ingestions. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 353.

Meehan TJ. Care of the poisoned patient. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 135.

Nelson ME. Toxic alcohols. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 136.