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Warning-sign checks

Naphthalene 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

    Elsewhere, use your local poison-information service or emergency medical service.

    Call emergency services now for:

    • Blue-grey lips, tongue, or skin
    • Severe trouble breathing
    • A seizure, collapse, or loss of consciousness
    • Marked confusion or difficulty waking
    • Severe chest discomfort

    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 centre promptly after any suspected swallowing of a naphthalene mothball or other naphthalene product.

    Do not wait for symptoms.

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

    Seek urgent medical assessment after exposure if there is vomiting, worsening headache, unusual tiredness, pale or yellow skin, dark urine, shortness of breath, or reduced urine output.

    However, new blue-grey colouring, breathing difficulty, fainting, rapidly worsening weakness, or very little urine should not wait for a routine appointment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    After treatment, keep routine follow-up appointments and complete recommended blood or urine tests.

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