Emergency Treatment for Paint Thinner Injection
Do not induce vomiting, do not give anything by mouth, and immediately contact Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) while activating emergency medical services for transport to a hospital. 1, 2
Immediate Contraindicated Actions
Never induce vomiting or administer ipecac - this is absolutely contraindicated for petroleum distillate exposures like paint thinner and provides no clinical benefit while potentially causing aspiration and further harm 1, 2
Do not give water, milk, or any oral fluids - despite theoretical dilution benefits in animal studies, no human evidence supports this practice, and administration may trigger vomiting and aspiration 1
Do not administer activated charcoal - this is specifically contraindicated for petroleum distillates including paint thinner and will not bind these substances 2
Critical First Steps
Activate EMS immediately if the patient exhibits any life-threatening signs including altered mental status, seizures, respiratory difficulty, or vomiting 1
Contact Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) immediately to receive specific guidance on systemic toxicity management and the need for specialized interventions 1, 2
Assess airway and breathing status - paint thinner injection can cause respiratory difficulty requiring immediate intervention 1
Expected Toxicity Profile
Paint thinner contains aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, xylene, N-hexane) that produce multi-organ toxicity: 3
Central nervous system effects: drowsiness, dizziness, agitation, altered mental status, seizures, or coma 1
Gastrointestinal manifestations: sore throat, mucosal irritation, nausea, vomiting 1
Systemic toxicity potential: neurotoxic, myotoxic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, and cardiotoxic effects 3
Local tissue damage: intrathoracic injection specifically can cause chemical empyema, pleural effusion, atelectasis, and pleural thickening 3
Hospital-Level Management Required
The patient requires immediate transport to an emergency department for: 1, 3
Intensive supportive care for potential multi-organ toxicity 1
Monitoring for hepatotoxicity through serial liver function tests 3
Imaging evaluation if intrathoracic or intravascular injection occurred - CT may reveal pleural effusion, atelectasis, or pleural thickening 3
Possible tube thoracostomy if chemical empyema develops from intrathoracic injection 3
Seizure management with diazepam 0.1-0.3 mg/kg IV (maximum 10 mg) if seizures occur 4
Critical Pitfall to Avoid
The most dangerous error is attempting home management or giving oral substances. Paint thinner injection represents a medical emergency requiring hospital-level care, as systemic absorption through injection bypasses first-pass metabolism and can rapidly produce life-threatening toxicity. 1, 3