Lighter fluid is a flammable liquid found in cigarette lighters and other types of lighters. Lighter fluid poisoning occurs when someone swallows this substance.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Hydrocarbons, including:

• Benzene
• Butane
• Hexamine
• Lacolene
• Naptha
• Propane

• Various lighter fluids

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Loss of vision
  • Severe pain in the throat
  • Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
• Kidneys and bladder
  • Decreased urine output
• Stomach and intestines
  • Blood in the stool
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Burns of the food pipe (esophagus)
  • Vomiting
  • Vomiting blood
• Heart and blood
  • Collapse
  • Low blood pressure that develops rapidly
• Lungs and airways
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Throat swelling (may also cause breathing difficulty)
• Nervous system
  • Coma
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Easy excitability
  • Extreme sleepiness (possibly even coma)
  • Hallucinations
  • Headache
  • Inability to sleep
  • Irritability
  • Lack of desire to do anything
  • Tremor
  • Twitching
  • Uncoordinated movements
  • Staggering
• Skin
  • Burns
  • Holes (necrosis) in the skin or tissues underneath
  • Irritation