Health Encyclopedia

Poisoning first aid

Definition

Poisoning is caused by swallowing, injecting, breathing in, or otherwise being exposed to a harmful substance. Most poisonings occur by accident.

In a poisoning emergency, immediate first aid is very important. The first aid you give before getting medical help can save a person's life.

Considerations

Approximately 2.5 million poisonings are reported to U.S. poison control centers every year, with nearly 1,000 reported deaths.

It is important to note that just because a package does not have a warning label doesn't mean it is safe. You should consider poisoning if someone suddenly becomes sick for no apparent reason, or if the person is found near a furnace, car, fire, or in an area that is not well ventilated.

Symptoms of poisoning may take time to develop. However, if you think someone has been poisoned, do not wait for symptoms to develop before getting that person medical help.

Causes

Items that can cause poisoning include:

Medicines (such as an aspirin overdose)
Household detergents and cleaning products
Carbon monoxide gas (from furnaces, gas engines, fires, space heaters)
Household plants (eating toxic plants)
Paints (swallowing or breathing in fumes)
Insecticides
Illicit drug overdose (accidental or intentional)
Chemicals in the workplace
Certain foods (see:Food poisoning)

Symptoms

Symptoms vary according to the poison, but may include:

First Aid

ALWAYS CALL YOUR LOCAL POISON CONTROL CENTER FOR ADVICE!

For poisoning by swallowing:

Check and monitor the person's airway, breathing, and pulse. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
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.
Only make the person throw up (vomit) if the poison control center tells you to do so.
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.
If the person starts having convulsions, give convulsion first aid.
Keep the person comfortable. The person should be rolled onto their left side, and remain there while getting or waiting for medical help.
If the poison has spilled on the person's clothes, remove the clothing and flush the skin with water.

For inhalation poisoning:

Call for emergency help. Never attempt to rescue a person without notifying others first.
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.
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.
Do not light a match or use a lighter become some gases can catch fire.
After rescuing the person from danger, check and monitor the person's airway, breathing, and pulse. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
If necessary, perform first aid for eye injuries (eye emergencies) or convulsions ( convulsion first aid).
If the person vomits, clear the person's airway. Wrap a cloth around your fingers before cleaning out the mouth and throat.
Even if the person seems perfectly fine, get medical help.

Do Not

DO NOT give an unconscious victim 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.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

Prevention

Be 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 noxious plants. Never eat wild plants, mushrooms, roots, or berries unless you know what you're doing.
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 non-food substances are poisonous if taken in large doses.
If you are concerned that industrial poisons might be polluting nearby land or water, report your concerns to the local health department or the state or federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Review Date:7/17/2006
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.