BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAcetone poisoningDimethyl formaldehyde poisoning; Dimethyl ketone poisoning; Nail polish remover poisoningAcetone is a chemical used in many household products. This article discusses poisoning from swallowing acetone-based products. Poisoning may also occur from breathing in fumes or absorbing it through the skin.This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient The poisonous ingredients include:Acetone Dimethyl formaldehyde Dimethyl ketone Where Found Acetone can be found in:Nail polish remover Some cleaning solutions Some glues, including rubber cement Some lacquersOther products may also contain acetone. Symptoms Below are symptoms of acetone poisoning or exposure in different parts of the body. HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS (CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM) Low blood pressure STOMACH AND INTESTINES (GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM) Nausea and vomiting Pain in belly area Person may have a fruity odor Sweet taste in mouth NERVOUS SYSTEM Feeling of drunkenness Coma (unconscious, unresponsive) ComaDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Drowsiness Stupor (confusion, decreased level of consciousness) StuporDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lack of coordination BREATHING (RESPIRATORY) SYSTEM Difficulty breathing Slowed breathing rate Slowed breathing rateMost people take breathing for granted. People with certain illnesses may have breathing problems that they deal with on a regular basis. This arti...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Shortness of breathShortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airRead Article Now Book Mark Article URINARY SYSTEM Increased need to urinate Home Care Seek medical help right away. Do NOT make a person throw up unless the poison control center or a health care provider tells you to. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready:The person's age, weight, and condition The name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known) The time it was swallowed The amount swallowed Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Local poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article This is a free and confidential service. 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. What to Expect at the Emergency Room Take the container that contains the acetone with you to the hospital, if possible.The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated. The person may receive:Blood tests Breathing support, including oxygen and a breathing tube through the mouth into the lungs Chest x-ray ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing) Intravenous fluids (IV, fluids given through a vein) Medicines to treat symptoms Tube through the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)Gastric lavageGastric suction is a procedure to empty the contents of your stomach.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Accidentally drinking small amounts of acetone/nail polish remover is unlikely to harm you as an adult. However, even small amounts can be dangerous to your child, so it is important to keep this and all household chemicals in a safe place.If the person survives past 48 hours, the chances for recovery are good.Open ReferencesReferencesAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) website. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Toxicological profile for acetone. wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxProfiles/ToxProfiles.aspx?id=5&tid=1. Reviewed July 30, 2022. Accessed April 10, 2023.Nelson ME. Toxic alcohols. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 136.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Review Date: 4/1/2023 Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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Acetone poisoningDimethyl formaldehyde poisoning; Dimethyl ketone poisoning; Nail polish remover poisoningAcetone is a chemical used in many household products. This article discusses poisoning from swallowing acetone-based products. Poisoning may also occur from breathing in fumes or absorbing it through the skin.This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient The poisonous ingredients include:Acetone Dimethyl formaldehyde Dimethyl ketone Where Found Acetone can be found in:Nail polish remover Some cleaning solutions Some glues, including rubber cement Some lacquersOther products may also contain acetone. Symptoms Below are symptoms of acetone poisoning or exposure in different parts of the body. HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS (CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM) Low blood pressure STOMACH AND INTESTINES (GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM) Nausea and vomiting Pain in belly area Person may have a fruity odor Sweet taste in mouth NERVOUS SYSTEM Feeling of drunkenness Coma (unconscious, unresponsive) ComaDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Drowsiness Stupor (confusion, decreased level of consciousness) StuporDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lack of coordination BREATHING (RESPIRATORY) SYSTEM Difficulty breathing Slowed breathing rate Slowed breathing rateMost people take breathing for granted. People with certain illnesses may have breathing problems that they deal with on a regular basis. This arti...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Shortness of breathShortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airRead Article Now Book Mark Article URINARY SYSTEM Increased need to urinate Home Care Seek medical help right away. Do NOT make a person throw up unless the poison control center or a health care provider tells you to. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready:The person's age, weight, and condition The name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known) The time it was swallowed The amount swallowed Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Local poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article This is a free and confidential service. 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. What to Expect at the Emergency Room Take the container that contains the acetone with you to the hospital, if possible.The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated. The person may receive:Blood tests Breathing support, including oxygen and a breathing tube through the mouth into the lungs Chest x-ray ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing) Intravenous fluids (IV, fluids given through a vein) Medicines to treat symptoms Tube through the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)Gastric lavageGastric suction is a procedure to empty the contents of your stomach.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Accidentally drinking small amounts of acetone/nail polish remover is unlikely to harm you as an adult. However, even small amounts can be dangerous to your child, so it is important to keep this and all household chemicals in a safe place.If the person survives past 48 hours, the chances for recovery are good.Open ReferencesReferencesAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) website. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Toxicological profile for acetone. wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxProfiles/ToxProfiles.aspx?id=5&tid=1. Reviewed July 30, 2022. Accessed April 10, 2023.Nelson ME. Toxic alcohols. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 136.