MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Zinc oxide overdose

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Zinc oxide overdose

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

Alternative Names

Desitin overdose; Calamine lotion overdose; Zinaderm overdose; Amalox overdose; Azo 22 overdose

Definition Return to top

This is poisoning from an overdose of zinc oxide.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Zinc oxide

Where Found Return to top

Zinc oxide may be found in many different products, including:

Zinc oxide ointment
Diaper rash medications
Hemorrhoid medications
Skin lotions
Calamine lotion
Caladryl lotion
Sunscreen lotion
Cosmetics
Paint
Rubber goods
Paper coating

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms Return to top

Chills
Yellow eyes and yellow skin
Stomach pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Cough
Fever
Mouth and throat irritation

Home Care Return to top

If the person swallowed a lot of zinc oxide, immediately give the person water or milk. DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is vomiting or has a decreased level of alertness.

If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the chemical is breathed in (inhaled), move the person to fresh air.

Call your doctor or poison control.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

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

Poison Control Return to top

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 Return to top

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:

Methods to make the person throw up
Medicines to treat symptoms
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effects of the poison

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

Zinc oxide is not very poisonous (toxic). Patients usually get better.

Update Date: 4/4/2006

Updated by: Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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