Oil-based paint poisoning occurs when large amounts of oil-based paint enter your stomach or lungs.

Hydrocarbons are the primary poisonous ingredient in oil paints.

Some oil paints have heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cobalt, and barium added as pigment. These heavy metals can cause additional poisoning if swallowed in large amounts.

Various oil-based paints

• Lungs
  • Cough
  • Shallow breathing -- may also be rapid or slow
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Eye and nose irritation
  • Vision problems
• Stomach and intestines
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
• Heart
  • Rapid heartbeat
• Nervous system
  • Coma
  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Irritation
  • Lightheadedness
  • Nervousness
  • Stupor
  • Unconsciousness

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

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person a small amount of water or milk to stop the burning, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.

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

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

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. The patient may receive:

• Fluids by IV
• Laxative
• Gastric lavage (will generally be done only in cases in which the paint contains toxic additives that are swallowed in significant amounts)

Survival past 48 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will occur. If any damage to the kidneys or lungs has occurred, it may take several months to heal.