Petroleum Jelly

1. Wipe or rinse out the mouth.
2. Give a serving size of water to drink.
3. Call 1-800-222-1222 for additional instructions.

Quick Facts About Petroleum Jelly:

Children who have access to a jar of the ointment may smear it, play with it, and they may even taste it, but the thickness and bland taste typically result in very little actually ingested.

If swallowed in small amounts, the petroleum jelly can act as a laxative and cause soft or loose stools. There is also a risk of choking if a large amount is put in the mouth and incorrectly swallowed.  If your child has any coughing or choking, even briefly, call the Missouri Poison Center right away. The jelly is an oily substance and may cause damage to the lungs if it is aspirated (goes down the wrong way).

If you find your child eating some petroleum jelly, do not panic.  Take it away from him or her, wipe off any jelly from their hands, wipe out their mouth with a wet washcloth, and have them drink some water.

If the petroleum jelly is MEDICATED, this means it contains additional ingredients that can cause more symptoms.  Play it safe and immediately call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 if a medicated lotion was ingested.  The poison center is open all day, every day for poisoning emergencies and questions.

If you would like to learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from possible poison exposures, visit our First Aid for Poisoning page. Learn more about the four different routes of posing that can occur and how to react to each. We have first-aid videos in the event of swelling, skin contact, eye exposure, or inhalation.

**Note: Don’t forget, every case is different. To make sure you are getting the best information for your individual situation, click below to call or chat. It is fast, free, and confidential.