All precautions should be taken to minimize the risk of vomiting and further aspiration. A trial of bronchodilators may prove useful in cases of suspected bronchospasm. Cutaneous decontamination Cutaneous decontamination should commence as soon as possible by removing the involved clothing and washing the skin with soap and water. Vapor inhalation and cutaneous absorption may occur long after ingestion. Health care providers must take precautionary action to minimize their own exposure to the toxic substance.
Gastric decontamination is controversial.
When gastric decontamination is considered, the airway must be stabilized to minimize the risk of aspiration secondary to vomiting. Gastric emptying includes induction of emesis by syrup of ipecac and gastric lavage. Since the major toxicity of hydrocarbon ingestion is aspiration, these procedures should be reserved only for significant ingestions with a greater risk of systemic toxicity and for large intentional ingestions. Induction of emesis by syrup of ipecac is rarely indicated except in situations where the patient's mental status is intact and a large volume of a known toxic substance has been ingested. Children usually do not ingest a large volume, therefore, emesis is rarely indicated.