MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Naphthalene

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Naphthalene

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Before Calling Emergency Poison Control What to Expect at the Emergency Room Outlook (Prognosis) References

Alternative Names

Moth balls; Moth flakes; Camphor tar

Definition Return to top

Naphthalene is a white solid substance with a strong smell. Poisoning from naphthalene destroys or changes red blood cells so they cannot carry oxygen.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Naphthalene

Where Found Return to top

Moth repellent
Toilet bowl deodorizers

Symptoms Return to top

Stomach problems may occur a day after exposure to the poison. They include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea

The patient may also have a fever. Over time, the following additional symptoms may occur:

Pain when urinating
Low urine output (may stop completely)
Hematuria (blood in urine)
Convulsions
Shortness of breath
Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
Low blood pressure
Jaundice
Headache
Drowsiness
Confusion
Coma

NOTE: Persons with a condition called glucose-6-phosphate deficiency are more vulnerable to the effects of napthalene.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control Return to top

If you suspect possible poisoning, seek emergency medical care immediately.

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 Return to top

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.

Persons who have recently eaten many mothballs will be forced to vomit.

Other treatments may include:

Activated charcoal
Blood transfusion (rarely)
A medicine called methylene blue if methemoglobinemia is present

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

It can take several weeks or longer to recover from some of the poisonous effects.

If the patient has convulsions and coma, the outlook is not good.

References Return to top

Roberts JR, Hedges JR. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004.

Ford MD. Clinical Toxicology. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2001.

Update Date: 8/9/2007

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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