Poisoning is injury or death as a result of ingestion of toxic or harmful substances. The most common cases of poisoning involve the abuse of drugs, accidental ingestion of household chemicals (ex: detergents and cleaning solutions such as bleach, that should be kept away from children) and consumption of food that contain fungi or other bacteria (ex: botulism). Other causes may include paints, carbon monoxide gas, cosmetics, DIY products, garden products, medications, insect sting, snake bites and others. Most poisonings occur by accident.
Seeking immediate medical attention is essential in cases involving poisoning in order to ease symptoms and prevent complications. Treatment options for an individual who has been poisoned depend on their symptoms, age, as well as the amount and type of substance that has caused the poisoning.
What are the symptoms associated with poisoning?
Poisoning can occur either the moment during which the substances are ingested or 24-48 hours afterwards. Common signs and symptoms of poisoning may include:
- Redness around the mouth and lips
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Heart palpitations
- Cough
- Drowsiness
- Cramps
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Skin rashes
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Headache
- Double vision
- Unusual breath odor
It is not always easy to trace the symptoms to what has been ingested, especially in cases where the poisoning has occurred from various food consumptions. Being alert for any empty medicine bottles, stains, odors, or nearby objects that can cause toxic harm is vital to preventing poisoning situations.
What to do
In case of suspected poisoning, it is essential to immediately contact a poison control center or go to the local emergency department. While the clinical picture varies depending on the substance ingested, it is always advisable to consult with a doctor on the type and amount of the substance ingested, in order to identify what medication can be used to help reverse the poisoning. In cases involving accidental ingestion of chemicals, it is important to perform the following steps:
- Seek medical help immediately
- Remove any contaminated clothing using gloves
- Remove anything remaining in the individual’s mouth if they have ingested a household cleaner or other chemical
- Lie the individual to the side at an elevated position
- Tilt the individual’s head to the side if vomiting should occur (to prevent choking)
- Monitor any symptoms that might occur while waiting for help to arrive (perform CPR if necessary)
- Bring along the chemical container or harmful substance to the emergency room to help identify the exact composition of the product
What not to do
Following medical advice from the poison control center or rescue team is highly recommended in order to prevent further complications from occurring. Instructions may include the following:
- Avoid giving anything to the individual who has been suspected of being poisoned, even water.
- Avoid inducing vomiting unless told otherwise by the poison control center or a doctor
- Avoid trying to neutralize the poison with lemon juice, vinegar or any other substance, unless told otherwise by the poison control center or a doctor
- Seek help immediately in cases of suspected poisoning- do not wait for symptoms to develop
Disclaimer: The information in this article does not in any way replace the intervention or signs associated with this type of emergency, but rather only provides simple tips as how to keep the situation under control while waiting for a medical rescue team to arrive.
