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What is a poison? What are the different forms of poison? What does a poisoned person look like? Why are so many poisonings related to children under age 6? |
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What is a poison? A poison is anything that can harm someone if it is 1) used in the wrong way, 2) used by the wrong person, or 3) used in the wrong amount. Poisons may harm you when they get in your eyes or on your skin. Other poisons may harm you if you breathe them in or swallow them. A poison is something that can make you sick if you taste it, smell it, or get it on your skin or in your eyes. We should never play with, touch, smell or taste poisons. What does poison look and smell like? It is important to know that poison can come in four different forms: Solids-- includes powders, granules, plants, berries, mushrooms, and medicines Liquids--all colors and thickness (watery, syrupy, pasty) and in many types of containers. Sprays-- aerosol cans such as hair spray, furniture polish Invisible Gases-- such as fumes from a car’s muffler or an incorrectly vented furnace. What are the different forms of poison? Poison comes in four forms: solids (such as medicine pills or tablets), liquids (such as household cleaners including bleach), sprays (such as spray cleaners) and gases (such as carbon monoxide). Causes Examples of poisons include: Alcohol Bites and stings, including scorpion, wasp, and bee stings, as well as snake and spider bites Carbon monoxide gas (from furnaces, gas engines, fires, space heaters) Certain foods (See: Food Poisoning) Chemicals in the workplace Drugs, including over-the-counter and prescription medicines (such as an aspirin overdose) and illicit drugs such as cocaine Food supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, and herbal products Hazardous chemicals at work and in the environment Household and automotive chemicals or products, including bleach, laundry or dish detergent, furniture polish, cleanser, drain and toilet bowl cleaner, antifreeze, gasoline, paint, varnish, bug and weed killers Household and outdoor plants (eating toxic plants) Insecticides Medicines, such as prescription (painkillers, iron pills), over-the-counter (cough and cold medicines), and illegal drugs (cocaine, heroin) Personal care products, such as nail polish and nail polish remover, cologne, aftershave, deodorant, mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, makeup, soap, contact lens solution, lotion, baby oil, and diaper rash products Plants, including many house plants, outdoor plants, and mushrooms Paints SymptomsSymptoms vary according to the poison, but may include: Abdominal pain Bluish lips Chest pain Confusion Cough Diarrhea Difficulty breathing Dizziness Double vision Drowsiness Fever Headache Heart palpitations Irritability Loss of appetite Loss of bladder control Muscle twitching Nausea and vomiting Numbness or tingling Seizures Shortness of breath Skin rash or burns Stupor Unconsciousness Unusual breath odor Weakness What does a poisoned person look like? A poisoned person may or may not look, act, or feel sick. If you think someone has been poisoned, right away call the toll-free Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222), which connects you to your local poison center. Do not wait for signs of poisoning. Why are so many poisonings related to children under age 6? Children under age 6 are carefree and learn by exploring the world around them. What children see and can reach, they often put in their mouths. Parents and other caregivers should teach children not to put objects in their mouths. Types of Poisoning Food Poisoning Heavy metal poisoning Carbon monoxide poisoning Radon poisoning Chemical poisoning(Chemical poisoning can be intentional or unintentional.) Drug poisoning Alcohol poisoning Seek immediate medical help. For poisoning by swallowing: 1.Check and monitor the person's airway, breathing, and pulse. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR. 2.Try to make sure that the person has indeed been poisoned. It may be hard to tell. Some signs include chemical-smelling breath, burns around the mouth, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or unusual odors on the person. If possible, identify the poison. 3.Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. 4.If the person vomits, clear the person's airway. Wrap a cloth around your fingers before cleaning out the mouth and throat. If the person has been sick from a plant part, save the vomit. It may help experts identify what medicine can be used to help reverse the poisoning. 5.Convulsions are when a person's body shakes rapidly and uncontrollably. 6.Keep the person comfortable. The person should be rolled onto the left side, and remain there while getting or waiting for medical help. 7.If the poison has spilled on the person's clothes, remove the clothing and flush the skin with water. For inhalation poisoning: 1.Call for emergency help. Never attempt to rescue a person without notifying others first. 2.If it is safe to do so, rescue the person from the danger of the gas, fumes, or smoke. Open windows and doors to remove the fumes. 3.Take several deep breaths of fresh air, and then hold your breath as you go in. Hold a wet cloth over your nose and mouth. 4.Do not light a match or use a lighter because some gases can catch fire. 5.After rescuing the person from danger, check and monitor the person's airway, breathing, and pulse. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR. 6.If necessary, perform first aid for eye injuries (eye emergencies) or convulsions ( convulsion first aid). 7.If the person vomits, clear the person's airway. Wrap a cloth around your fingers before cleaning out the mouth and throat. 8.Even if the person seems perfectly fine, get medical help. DO NOT •Do NOT give an unconscious person anything by mouth. •Do NOT induce vomiting unless you are told to do so by the Poison Control Center or a doctor. A strong poison that burns on the way down the throat will also do damage on the way back up. •Do NOT try to neutralize the poison with lemon juice or vinegar, or any other substance, unless you are told to do so by the Poison Control Center or a doctor. •Do NOT use any "cure-all" type antidote. •Do NOT wait for symptoms to develop if you suspect that someone has been poisoned. PreventionBe aware of poisons in and around your home. Take steps to protect young children from toxic substances. Store all medicines, cleaners, cosmetics, and household chemicals out of reach of children, or in cabinets with childproof latches. Be familiar with plants in your home, yard, and vicinity. Keep your children informed, too. Remove any poisonous plants. Never eat wild plants, mushrooms, roots, or berries unless you very familiar with them. Teach children about the dangers of substances that contain poison. Label all poisons. Don't store household chemicals in food containers, even if they are labeled. Most nonfood substances are poisonous if taken in large doses. Food Poisoning What is food poisoning? What are the types of food poisoning? What are the causes of food poisoning? What are the signs and symptoms of food poisoning? Are food poisoning and stomach flu the same thing? When should the doctor be called for food poisoning? How is food poisoning diagnosed? What is the treatment for food poisoning? Are there any home remedies for food poisoning? How long does food poisoning last? What are the complications of food poisoning? How can food poisoning be prevented? What is the prognosis for food poisoning? Here are further guidelines. |