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Tanning Oil

Low Risk

Also known as:

Australian Gold® Coppertone® Hawaiian Tropic® Panama Jack®

Possible Symptoms
  • Minor upset stomach
  • diarrhea
  • skin irritation
  • eye irritation
What to Do
  1. Wipe or rinse out the mouth.
  2. Give a serving size of water to drink.
  3. Rinse any exposed skin with lukewarm water and soap. Do not forcefully remove any bonding.
  4. Call 1-800-222-1222 for additional instructions.
If Exposed to Eyes
  1. Start rinsing eye(s) with lukewarm water.
  2. Call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further recommendations.

Important

If someone has choked on tanning oil, the slippery liquid can get into the lungs (aspiration) and can lead to breathing problems and possible lung infection. If this has happened, it is important to call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for additional information.

Additional Information

While these products used to contain para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) to protect the skin, today’s products are usually PABA free. Tanning oils are generally considered nontoxic; however, some people may have mild allergic reactions to certain products, so it’s important to watch out for skin or eye irritation. If tanning oil is swallowed, it may cause a mild laxative effect. Your child may experience minor stomach upset or loose stool.

If you notice that your child has ingested a tanning product, it is important not to panic. Take the bottle away from the child and wipe their mouth out with a soft wet cloth. You may give them some water to drink to get the taste out of their mouth. Do not try to induce vomiting.

After you have removed your child from the situation, immediately call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.  Treatment recommendations are often determined by the amount ingested. The poison center is open all day, every day for poisoning emergencies and questions and our team of medical professionals will help to walk you through the next steps.

Caution: If your child has sprayed tanning oil into their eyes, call the Missouri Poison Center now for help on how to rinse the eyes. In rare cases, a child may choke on the slippery liquid and get it into their lungs. This is called an aspiration and can lead to breathing problems and a possible lung infection.

For additional information about sunscreens: click here.

Take The Missouri Poison Center With You

Emergencies don’t wait for you, so you shouldn’t have to wait to call for help. Get the Missouri Poison Center app with poison information and a link to the Poison Help Line. It is just a click away during the most stressful moments. Our registered nurses and pharmacists are here 24/7/365 days a year to help guide you through poison exposures and overdose emergencies.

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