See also: [[Toluene toxicity]], [[Essential oils]], [[Solvents]], [[pressure gun injuries]] See: [Rosen’s - Hydrocarbons](x-devonthink-item://B095C1E6-4BB9-40C0-B8CD-D2D14C1874BD), [Murray’s - hydrocarbons](x-devonthink-item://DA1896AC-D57C-4A67-B2C7-65B1D27BB53E?page=265), [RCH - hydrocarbons](https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Hydrocarbon_poisoning/) *Note:* most solvents are essentially hydrocarbons or essential oils. >Activated charcoal is **specifically contraindicated** in hydrocarbon poisoning as they do not bind hydrocarbons and increase the risk of hydrocarbon aspiration - Hydrocarbons can cause rapid onset of CNS symptoms including CNS depression and seizures.  - Volatile hydrocarbons can be aspirated and cause chemical pneumonitis. - Cardiac dysrhythmias are less common - Poisoning can occur from accidental exposure (often younger [[paeds tox|children]]) or deliberate exposure (often from inhalation eg from “sniffing” or “chroming”) **Sources** - Petrol - Kerosene - Lighter Fluid - Paraffin Oil - 2 Stroke Fuel - Diesel Fuel - [[Solvents]] - White Spirit - Lubricating Oil - Furniture Polishes - [[Essential oils]] - Mineral Turpentine - [[Toluene toxicity|toluene]] Aliphatic: Essential oils (includes eucalyptus, clove and pennyroyal oils), Kerosene, Petroleum Distillates, Turpentine Aromatic: Benzene, Toluene, Xylene Halogenated: Carbon tetrachloride, Chloroform, Methylene chloride, Tetrachloroethylene, Trichloroethylene - Group 1 -- high viscosity - eg petroleum jelly, grease, lubricating oil, diesel - low systemic and pulm toxicity - rarely need any treatment for accidental ingestion - Group 2 - low viscosity - eg kerosene, lighter fluid, petrol, turpentine - accidental ingestion rarely causes severe toxicity - severe toxicity usually seen by large *deliberate* ingestions - *turpentine* and *pine oil* are readily absorbed from GIT and have variable systemic toxicity # management - [[N-acetyl-cysteine|NAC]] is recommended as a non-specific antioxidant for patients who develop hepatotoxicity, typically from halogenated hydrocarbons or certain essential oils (clove or pennyroyal oil). The treatment regimen is the same as for [[Paracetamol overdose]] # disposition - Children suspected of ingesting small amounts of hydrocarbons may be observed at home providing they remain asymptomatic. - [[Essential oils]] are an exception and hospital assessment and observation is warranted for all cases. - Patients who are clinically well without cough, dyspnoea, wheeze or any alteration in vital signs (including pulse oximetry) at 6 hours are fit for medical discharge. - Symptomatic patients are admitted for observation and supportive care. - Patients with [[pressure gun injuries|high-pressure injection injuries]] require surgical referral for urgent debridement.