Lip moisturizer poisoning

• Alternative Names

  Chapstick poisoning

• Poisonous Ingredient

  Para-aminobenzoic acid is a naturally occurring substance that can absorb ultraviolet (UV) light. It is often used in sunscreen products, including lip moisturizers containing sunblocks.

• Where Found

  Para-aminobenzoic acid is found in certain lip balm and moisturizers containing a sunblock. Chapstick is one brand name.

• Symptoms
  • Diarrhea
  • Eye irritation (if the product touched the eye)
  • Intestinal blockage
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath (with extremely high doses)
  • Vomiting
• Home Treatment

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

• 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 United States 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: Poison control center - emergency number

• 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. Blood and urine tests will be done. The patient may receive:

  • Activated charcoal
  • Fluids through an IV
  • Medicines to treat symptoms
• Expectations (prognosis)

  Recovery is very likely, since the ingredients are generally considered nontoxic.

• References

  Parkinson A, Ogilvie BW. Biotransformation of xenobiotics. In: Klaassen CD, ed. Casarettand Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2008:chap 6.

Review Date: 7/17/2009

Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.