The small Snus pouches filled with tobacco are extremely convenient because they are pre-portioned and ready to use immediately. But what happens if Snus is accidentally swallowed? We give you some tips on what to do in such a case and when to contact a doctor.
The most important points in brief:
● Snus is under no circumstances suitable for consumption
● If Snus is swallowed, unpleasant symptoms can occur
● In severe cases, nicotine poisoning is even possible
● For children and pets, emergency services must be called immediately
Swallowed Snus? What to do?
Snus is an oral tobacco product placed under the upper lip during use. The pouches activate their effect through saliva and do not need to be chewed or swallowed. Since they are directly in the mouth, accidental swallowing cannot be ruled out.
The good news: Even if you swallow Snus, it is usually not too serious. However, you should pay close attention to your symptoms and contact a doctor if they worsen or persist too long. In Children and pets it looks different here, emergency services should be called immediately.
What symptoms are possible when swallowing Snus?
Nicotine is a neurotoxin that triggers various effects in the body. The stomach is especially sensitive to direct intake, which is why tobacco-containing products should not be consumed. A range of symptoms can occur if Snus is swallowed. These include:
● Mild symptoms: nausea, vomiting, headaches, stomach pain, increased saliva flow, diarrhea, heartburn, bloating
● Severe symptoms: circulatory problems, muscle twitching, breathing difficulties, seizures, rapid heartbeat, heavy sweating
The severity of symptoms depends both on the nicotine strength of the products and your nicotine tolerance. People who regularly consume nicotine have a higher tolerance than those who have no experience with such products.
When nicotine poisoning can occur
A nicotine poisoning in an adult is caused by high amounts of nicotine triggered by a single intake. For people who normally do not consume nicotine, the amount is about 60 mg of nicotine. For experienced snus users, the threshold is about twice that amount. For children, the threshold is significantly lower, so a doctor should be consulted in any case.
The levels reached by a snus pouch with typical dosages are usually not reached in adults. However, this does not mean that snus can be swallowed without problems. The products are explicitly not intended for ingestion, just like cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or Snuff.
How to recognize nicotine poisoning
The Symptoms of nicotine poisoning Symptoms can be either mild or severe, just like when swallowing snus. Mild cases may include trembling, dizziness, vomiting, and headaches. Severe cases can lead to seizures, paralysis, and circulatory collapse.
With mild nicotine poisoning, symptoms decrease after one to two hours. In severe cases, quick action and medical help are required. When in doubt, you should contact the poison control center for advice.
Swallowed snus?
Snus is taken orally and is not meant to be ingested. If snus is accidentally swallowed, unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and dizziness may occur. In people with low nicotine tolerance, swallowing snus can cause poisoning. In such cases, emergency medical services should always be contacted.
