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Incense

Definition

This is poisoning from swallowing liquid incense. Incense is a material that creates a smell when it is burned. 

Solid incense is not considered poisonous.

Poisonous Ingredient

• Aromatic oils
• Nitrites (including amyl nitrite)
• Nitrates

Where Found

Liquid incense is sold on the Internet under a variety of brand names. It is usually described as a room deodorizer, despite being sold for other purposes. Liquid incense that is breathed in (inhaled) is called a "popper."

Symptoms

• Lungs
  • Difficulty breathing (from inhalation or allergic reaction)
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Burning pain in the throat
  • Blurred vision
  • Burns to the eye
• Skin
  • Rash
  • Blue skin or fingers
• Gastrointestinal
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea (watery, bloody)
• Heart and blood
  • Low blood pressure
  • Methemoglobinemia
• Nervous system
  • Stupor
  • Coma
  • Euphoria, a feeling like being drunk (intoxicated)
  • Seizures

Home Treatment

DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional. Seek immediate medical help.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

• Fluids by IV
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage) 
• Medicines to treat an allergic reaction (diphenhydramine, prednisone)
• Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach
• Methylene blue, a medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
• Breathing tube to help with breathing

Expectations (prognosis)

Overdose is common in people who sniff or drink liquid incense. Abusing liquid incense is as dangerous as taking other illicit drugs.

How well a patient does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a patient gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Review Date:3/13/2006
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

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