Heidi Norton
Incense is a product that creates a smell when burned and is used in sacred rituals and worship across different cultures and religions. While solid incense is not considered poisonous, liquid incense can be hazardous if swallowed or its fumes inhaled. Ingesting liquid incense can cause incense poisoning, the severity of which depends on the amount consumed, time to treatment, and general health status of the patient. If you swallow liquid incense, seek immediate medical attention and call your local poison control center.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What happens if you swallow resin incense whole | Incense poisoning |
| How common is incense poisoning | Fairly common in emergency departments |
| What to do if someone has swallowed resin incense | Call the local emergency number (e.g. 911 in the US) or the poison control center (1-800-222-1222 in the US). Give them water or milk right away unless advised otherwise by a medical professional. |
| Prognosis | Depends on the amount swallowed, time to treatment, severity of symptoms, and general health status of the patient. If treated early, the outcome is generally good. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense poisoning
The prognosis of incense poisoning depends on the amount of substance consumed, the time between consumption and treatment, the severity of the symptoms, and the general health status of the patient. The faster medical help is given, the better the chances of recovery.
The signs and symptoms of incense poisoning vary from one individual to another and may be mild or severe. Several body systems can be affected, including the digestive system, respiratory system, vascular system, skin, and ears, nose, and throat (ENT). Symptoms may include burning and associated pain in the mouth and throat, respiratory difficulties, and bluish discolouration of the skin beneath the fingernails and on the lips.
If someone has been exposed to liquid incense, seek immediate medical attention by calling the local emergency number (e.g. 911 in the United States) or the local poison control centre. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a healthcare professional. If liquid incense comes into contact with the skin or eyes, flush the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes. If the person has swallowed liquid incense, give them water or milk right away, unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional.
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Emergency medical treatment
If you or someone you know has swallowed resin incense, seek medical help right away by calling your local emergency number (e.g. 911 in the US) or your local poison control center. Do not try to induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by poison control or a healthcare provider. If the incense is on the skin or in the eyes, flush the affected area with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If the person has swallowed the incense, give them water or milk right away, unless advised otherwise by a healthcare provider. Do not give anything to drink if the person is experiencing symptoms that make it difficult to swallow, such as vomiting or decreased alertness.
When calling the emergency services or poison control, try to provide the following information:
- The compound taken (resin incense)
- The quantity swallowed
- The time of ingestion
- The age, weight, and general health status of the affected individual
At the hospital, emergency medical professionals may perform the following treatments:
- Gastric lavage: Irrigation of the stomach using special solutions to eliminate the substance.
- Administration of laxatives: To help eliminate the substance from the body.
- Irrigation of eyes or skin: To remove any remaining compound if the incense came into contact with the eyes or skin.
The prognosis for incense poisoning depends on several factors, including the amount of substance consumed, the time between consumption and treatment, the severity of symptoms, and the general health status of the patient. While most cases are not fatal when appropriate treatment is given, swallowing large quantities of liquid incense can be hazardous and may even result in death. Therefore, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention.
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Prognosis and recovery
If you suspect incense poisoning, seek immediate medical attention by calling the local emergency number or poison control center. While waiting for emergency services, follow the instructions provided by the poison control center. If the individual has swallowed liquid incense, give them water or milk right away, unless advised otherwise by a medical professional. However, do not give anything to drink if they are experiencing symptoms that make swallowing difficult, such as vomiting or decreased alertness.
Upon arrival at a medical facility, healthcare professionals may perform gastric lavage to eliminate the substance from the stomach and administer laxatives to aid in the elimination of the substance from the body. They may also irrigate the eyes or skin to remove any remaining compound if exposure has occurred.
The prognosis for incense poisoning is generally good if the individual receives appropriate medication and early support. However, swallowing large quantities of liquid incense can lead to severe symptoms and complications and may even be fatal. Therefore, it is crucial to act quickly and seek professional help in the event of suspected incense poisoning.
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Liquid incense dangers
Liquid incense is a product that creates a smell when burned. It is often sold under various brand names on the internet and in stores. Liquid incense is sometimes purchased for the purpose of getting 'high'. Nitrates such as amyl nitrate may be sold as video head cleaners, air fresheners, deodorizers, or cleaning products.
Liquid incense poisoning can occur when someone swallows or sniffs the substance. This can be by accident or on purpose. Solid incense is not considered poisonous. If someone has been exposed to liquid incense poisoning, 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.
If liquid incense gets on the skin or in the eyes, flush the affected area with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If someone has swallowed liquid incense, give them water or milk right away, unless a medical provider tells you not to. Do not give anything to drink if the person has symptoms that make it difficult to swallow. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery. Abusing liquid incense is as dangerous as taking other illicit drugs and may cause death.
Recent research also suggests that burning incense can negatively affect health. A study in 2021 confirmed that some of the particulate matter in incense smoke was carcinogenic, meaning it could cause cancer. There is an association between higher cancer risk and incense use. Incense smoke contains various irritants and has been associated with an increased risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma and heart disease. A 2020 study found that burning incense may also cause issues with brain health in community older adults over the age of 65.
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Poison control
If you or someone you know has swallowed solid incense resin, poison control advice is not necessary as solid incense is not considered poisonous. However, if liquid incense has been swallowed, this constitutes a medical emergency and poison control measures must be taken.
Liquid incense poisoning can occur when the substance is ingested or sniffed, and it can be dangerous, even causing death. If you suspect that you or someone you are with has been exposed to liquid incense poisoning, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911 in the US) or your local poison control center. In the United States, you can reach poison control experts by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the country. This service is free and confidential, and you can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are with someone who has swallowed liquid incense, do not make them throw up unless instructed to do so by poison control or a healthcare provider. Give them water or milk right away, unless a provider tells you not to. Do not give them anything to drink if they are showing symptoms that make it hard to swallow. If the liquid incense is on their skin or in their eyes, flush the affected area with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.
The faster medical help is given, the better the chances of recovery. If possible, take the liquid incense with you to the hospital so that providers can identify the substance and provide appropriate treatment. They will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Depending on the severity of the case, the person may require breathing support or an endoscopy to check for burns in the esophagus and stomach.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is a product that creates a smell when burned. It is often used in religious ceremonies and sacred rituals.
Incense poisoning is the accidental or intentional intake of the incense compound. This can occur through swallowing liquid incense or inhaling its fumes.
If you or someone you know has swallowed resin incense, you should call your local emergency number (e.g. 911 in the US) or your local poison control center immediately. Do not try to induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a healthcare professional.
Symptoms of incense poisoning can vary but may include burning and associated pain in the mouth and throat, respiratory difficulties, and bluish discolouration of the skin beneath the fingernails and on the lips.
Treatment for incense poisoning depends on the amount ingested, the time between ingestion and treatment, the severity of symptoms, and the general health status of the patient. Medical professionals may perform gastric lavage, administer laxatives, and irrigate the eyes or skin to eliminate any remaining compounds.
