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Deodorant poisoning
     
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Deodorant poisoning

 

Deodorant poisoning occurs when someone swallows deodorant.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call the 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.

The harmful ingredients in deodorant are:

  • Aluminum salts
  • Ethyl alcohol

Deodorant may contain other harmful substances.

Where Found

 

Various deodorants contain these ingredients.

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms of deodorant poisoning include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Blurred vision
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Burning pain in the throat
  • Collapse
  • Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)
  • Diarrhea (watery, bloody)
  • Inability to walk normally
  • Lack of alertness (stupor)
  • Low blood pressure
  • No urine output
  • Rash
  • Slurred speech
  • Vomiting

If deodorant gets in your eye, burns to the eye may occur.

 

Home Care

 

Seek medical help right away. Do not make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.

If the person swallowed deodorant, give them water or milk right away, unless a provider tells you not to. Do not give water or milk if the person has symptoms that make it hard to swallow. These symptoms are:

  • Vomiting
  • Convulsions
  • A decreased level of alertness

 

Before Calling Emergency

 

Have this information ready:

  • Person's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of the product (ingredients, if known)
  • Time it was swallowed
  • Amount swallowed

 

Poison Control

 

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. This national hotline 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.

You can also get online poison help now at Poisonhelp.org. Just enter the product, poison, or medicine to get expert help.

 

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

 

Take the container to the hospital with you, if possible.

Your provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.

Tests that may be done include:

  • Blood and urine tests
  • Endoscopy -- camera placed down the throat to check for burns in the esophagus and stomach

Treatment may include:

  • Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)
  • Fluids through a vein (by IV)
  • Medicine to treat symptoms

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

How well someone does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly they receive treatment. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery.

Severe poisoning is unlikely.

 

 

Open References

References

Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al. Ingestions. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 373.

Meehan TJ. Care of the poisoned patient. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 135.

Nelson LS, Calello DP. Acute poisoning. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 96.

Nelson ME. Toxic alcohols. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 136.

Theobald JL, Corcoran JN. Poisoning. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 94.

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          Tests for Deodorant poisoning

           
             

            Review Date: 10/14/2025

            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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