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Warning-sign checks

Beeswax poisoning: 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

    Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, active choking, collapse, a seizure, marked drowsiness, or signs of a severe allergic reaction.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • 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 unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • 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

    Seek urgent medical care for increasing abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, abdominal swelling, inability to pass stool or gas, persistent coughing after choking, or worsening burn symptoms.

    These symptoms should not wait for a routine appointment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    No special follow-up is usually needed when a small amount of pure beeswax was swallowed and the person remains completely well after poison-center guidance.

    Continue to watch for new digestive or breathing symptoms as advised.

    Arrange routine follow-up with a healthcare professional if mild stomach symptoms do not settle, a rash continues after the product is stopped, or wax eating happens more than once.

    Repeated eating of nonfood substances may be a form of pica and deserves a nonjudgmental medical assessment for nutritional, developmental, or behavioral factors.

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