Poisoning caused by exposure to windshield washer fluid.

• methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol)

• antifreeze
• paint remover
• shellac
• varnish
• windshield washer fluids
• Sterno cans

• body as a whole
  • weakness
  • leg cramps

• respiratory
  • rapid, shallow breathing
  • stopped breathing
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • blurred vision
  • blindness
• skin
  • bluish skin (lips and fingernails)
• gastrointestinal
  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • abdominal pain
• heart and blood vessels
  • drop in blood pressure
• nervous system
  • coma
  • fatigue
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • seizures
  • confusion

DO NOT induce vomiting without directions from Poison Control!

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See poison control centers for the national telephone number. Bring the poison container with you to the emergency room.

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Administer ethanol (the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages)
• Administer Fomepizole (a medication that blocks the formation of toxins produced by the body when it breaks down the methanol)
• Dialysis
• Use gastric lavage
• Treat the symptoms

Methanol is extremely toxic. As little as 2 TABLEspoons can be fatal to a child, while 2 to 8 oz. can be fatal for an adult. The ultimate outcome for the patient will depend on how much was swallowed and how soon appropriate care was given. Many windshield washer fluids are a dilute form of methanol and therefore are not as toxic as pure methanol.