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Warning-sign checks

Fuel oil 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 now if there is:

    • Trouble breathing, severe wheezing, or rapidly worsening coughing
    • Blue, grey, or unusually pale lips or skin
    • Collapse, a seizure, confusion, or difficulty waking
    • Persistent choking after swallowing fuel
    • Exposure to concentrated fumes in an enclosed space
    • A large exposure or uncertainty about what chemicals were involved

    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

    Contact a poison information service promptly after fuel oil is swallowed, even if there are no symptoms.

    Do not wait for coughing or breathing difficulty to appear.

    In the United States, Poison Control is available at 1-800-222-1222 .

    Elsewhere, use your national poison centre or local urgent medical service.

    Seek urgent assessment for ongoing vomiting, chest pain, low oxygen readings, worsening drowsiness, or eye pain and blurred vision after rinsing.

    A cough, fever, wheeze, or shortness of breath that appears or worsens in the hours after exposure also needs prompt review.

    New breathing difficulty is not a routine follow-up issue and should be assessed urgently.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate for a cough, reduced stamina, skin rash, or other symptoms that continue after initial treatment but are not rapidly worsening.

The article also says

Move into fresh air only if you can do so safely.

Do not enter an enclosed contaminated area to rescue someone without specialist training and protective equipment.

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