Health Encyclopedia

Malathion poisoning

Definition

Malathion is a type of insecticide, a product used to kill or control bugs. Poisoning may occur if you swallow malathion, handle the product without gloves, or fail to wash hands soon after exposure. Significant amounts are absorbed through the skin unless proper precautions are taken.

For information on general insecticide poisonings, see: Insecticides

Alternative Names

Carbofos poisoning; Compound 4049 poisoning; Cythion poisoning; Fosfothion poisoning; Mercaptothion poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

Malathion

Where Found

Malathion is used for agricultural purposes to kill and control kill insects on crops and in gardens. It is also used in government programs to kill mosquitos in large outdoor areas.

Malathion may also be found in certain products to kill head lice.

Symptoms

Bladder and kidneys
- Increased urination
Lungs
- Difficulty breathing
Heart and blood
- Low or high blood pressure
- Slow or rapid heart rate
- Weakness
- Convulsions
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Small pupils (not reactive to light)
- Increased tearing
- Increased salivation
Skin
- Blue skin (lips and fingernails)
- Sweating
Gastrointestinal
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Nervous system
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Coma
- Confusion
- Agitation

Home Treatment

Call Poison Control Centers for appropriate treatment information. If malathion is on skin, wash area thoroughly for at least 15 minutes.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

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 United States 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: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

Breathing help
Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
Tube thru the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage) -- if vomiting has not occurred
Washing of the skin (irrigation), perhaps every few hours for several days

Expectations (prognosis)

Patients that continue to improve over the first 4 to 6 hours (after receiving medical treatment) usually recover.

References

Toxicological Profile for Malathion. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Atlanta, GA: 2003.

Review Date:10/24/2007
Reviewed By:Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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