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Warning-sign checks

Mineral oil overdose: 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 the person has:

    • Severe or worsening trouble breathing
    • Blue, gray, or unusually pale lips
    • Collapse, a seizure, or loss of consciousness
    • Severe confusion or difficulty staying awake
    • Choking or persistent coughing with breathing difficulty

    Place an unconscious but breathing person on their side while waiting for emergency help.

    Do not give anything by mouth.

    If the exposure was intentional, seek urgent emergency and mental health support, even if no physical symptoms are present.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • 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 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 center promptly after a suspected overdose, even if there are no symptoms yet.

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

    Elsewhere, use your local poison information service.

    Do not wait for symptoms before seeking exposure-specific advice.

    Seek urgent assessment if coughing, wheezing, fever, chest pain, or shortness of breath develops after mineral oil was swallowed.

    These symptoms can indicate aspiration.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine medical follow-up for ongoing diarrhea, oily leakage, skin irritation, persistent cough, reduced exercise tolerance, or repeated mineral oil use.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is having side effects from a medicine, or is struggling to take it as prescribed

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