Turpentine is a toxic solvent derived from pine resin, commonly found in household products like paints, varnishes, and cleaners. If a child accidentally swallows this substance, it constitutes an immediate medical crisis. Prompt action is required, prioritizing professional guidance to mitigate severe, life-threatening complications.
The Immediate Danger of Turpentine Ingestion
Turpentine is a hydrocarbon solvent that poses a significant hazard to human tissue. Ingestion causes severe irritation and a burning sensation along the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach. The most serious danger, however, is the risk to the lungs.
Hydrocarbons have low viscosity and high volatility, making them prone to pulmonary aspiration. Aspiration occurs when the turpentine, or vomit containing it, is inhaled into the airways and lungs. This inhalation strips the protective lining and triggers chemical pneumonitis, a severe inflammatory reaction.
Chemical pneumonitis can rapidly lead to coughing, choking, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and a burning sensation in the chest. Symptoms sometimes take up to six hours to fully develop. The resulting lung damage can be extensive, progressing to pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, and the formation of air-filled cysts called pneumatoceles. These pulmonary complications are the primary cause of serious illness and death.
Why Inducing Vomiting Is Highly Dangerous
The answer to whether you should induce vomiting is definitively no, as this action dramatically increases the risk of pulmonary aspiration. Forcing a child to vomit causes the turpentine to pass near the airway a second time, significantly raising the chance of inhalation. The physical act of retching can easily propel the volatile hydrocarbon into the lower respiratory tract.
Current medical consensus strongly advises against inducing emesis for hydrocarbon poisoning, phasing out historical treatments like Syrup of Ipecac. The risk of causing chemical pneumonitis during vomiting is far greater than any potential benefit of removing the substance from the stomach. Activated charcoal is also ineffective and contraindicated because it may increase aspiration risk.
Once a hydrocarbon like turpentine is in the stomach, the priority shifts to preventing it from reaching the lungs. Gastric decontamination, such as gastric lavage or stomach pumping, is only performed in a hospital setting under controlled conditions. This often requires securing the child’s airway first to prevent aspiration. Attempting to force the child to vomit dangerously undermines this medical priority.
Essential First Steps After Ingestion
The single most important step after discovering a child has ingested turpentine is to contact professional help immediately. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 in the United States or your local emergency services. This free, confidential service is staffed by experts who provide precise, up-to-date instructions based on the child’s specific situation.
While on the phone or preparing for medical transport, gather necessary information to relay to the operator. This includes the child’s age, weight, and any pre-existing health conditions or medications. Crucially, have the container or product label available to state the exact name of the substance, including any other ingredients listed, and estimate the amount ingested and the time of ingestion.
Do not give the child anything to eat or drink unless explicitly instructed by Poison Control or a healthcare professional. Keep the child calm and upright to minimize the chance of reflux and aspiration. Monitor the child closely for signs of respiratory distress, such as coughing, choking, or difficulty breathing, which indicate immediate lung involvement.