Health Encyclopedia

Windshield washer fluid

Definition

Windshield washer fluid is a brightly colored liquid made of methanol, a poisonous alcohol. Some young children may mistake the fluid for juice, which can lead to accidental poisoning. Even small amounts can cause significant damage. This article discusses poisoning from windshield washer fluids.

Poisonous Ingredient

Methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol)

Where Found

Windshield washer fluid (used to clean automobile windows)

Symptoms

Abdominal pain
Blindness
Bluish skin (lips and fingernails)
Blurred vision
Breathing - rapid, shallow
Breathing - stopped
Coma
Confusion
Dizziness
Drop in blood pressure
Fatigue
Headache
Leg cramps
Nausea
Seizures
Vomiting
Weakness

Home Treatment

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

Before Calling Emergency

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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

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 U.S. 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 National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

Dialysis
Medicines called folinic acid and bicarbonate
Medicines to treat symptoms
Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison (usually fomepizole and ethanol)
Nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach ( gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

Methanol, the main ingredient in windshield washer fluid, is extremely poisonous. As little as 2 tablespoons can kill a child, while 2 to 8 ounces can be deadly for an adult. How well a patient does depends on how much was swallowed and how soon treatment was received.

Although many windshield washer fluids are a watered-down form of methanol, they can still be dangerous if swallowed.

References

Henry K. Deadly Ingestions. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2006; 53(2): 293-315.

Michael JB. Deadly pediatric poisons: nine common agents that kill at low doses. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2004; 22(4): 1019-50.

Review Date:1/17/2007
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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