Poisoning

A poison is any substance that enters the body and cause temporary or permanent harm. Some substances, such as acetaminophen or alcohol, only become harmful to the body when taken in a large quantity. Others, such as some herbicides, need only to be taken in very small amounts to be harmful.

HOW DO POISONS AFFECT THE BODY?
Different poisons have different effects. The effect is modified by the quantity and the time since exposure.

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF POISONS
Vomiting. This is a common response to many poisons, particularly those that have been eaten, as the body tries to remove the poison from the system.

Impaired consciousness. A person may be confused and slowly lapse into full unconsciousness.

Breathing difficulties. Poison may eventually cause breathing to stop.

Change in heart rate. Some poisons speed up the heart rate; others slow it down. Poisons may eventually cause the heart to stop.

Erratic and confused behavior
Always suspect poisoning in these instances.

Burns. Some poisons burn the skin, some swallowed poisons burn the digestive tract, bringing the additional risk swelling around the mouth and throat.

Pain. Some poison will cause pain.

Liver and kidney problems. As the liver and kidneys struggle to remove poisons from the body they may become affected themselves.

KEY FIRST AID PRINCIPLES FOR DEALING WITH POISONS

1. Protect yourself and bystanders from the source of the poison by making the scene safe and wearing protective clothing if necessary.
2. Monitor and maintain the victim's airway and breathing and be prepared to resuscitate if necessary.
3. Seek appropriate medical help or call the Poison Control Hotline to deal with dangerous substances.
4. Monitor the victim's level of consciousness and be prepared to turn into recovery position if necessary.
5. Support the victim if he vomits and place in the recovery position until medical help arrives.
6. Treat any burns caused by corrosive poisons by flooding the affected area with running water.
7. Try to identify the source of the poison because this will help determine appropriate medical treatment.

THERE ARE FOUR KEY WAYS IN WHICH POISONS CAN ENTER THE BODY

Eating(ingestion)

• Examples
• Food carrying bacteria that cause food poisoning
• Prescription drugs taken as a deliberate or accidental overdose
• Alcohol in excess
• Household chemicals (children particularly are prone to drinking from chemical containers while playing)
• Plants (for example, magic mushrooms may be eaten deliberately when seeking an effect, or by accident)

Breathing(inhalation)

• Examples
• Carbon monoxide (in exhaust fumes)
• Fumes in house fires

Injection

• Examples
• Prescription drugs taken as a deliberate or accidental overdose
• Illegal drugs
• Insect bites and stings

Through the skin (absorption)

• Examples
• Many industrial chemicals
• Herbicides

CLUES TO IDENTIFYING POISONS

The early identification of a poison will help medical staff determine an appropriate course of treatment. Potential clues that you as the first person at the scene of the incident may be able to provide include:

• Medicine bottles/pills containers (do not assume that an empty bottle means that all the pills were taken).
• Samples of vomit: if the victim is sick, keep the vomit for inspection.
• Details of what happened from the bystanders or from the victim.
• Identification of animal or insect: if the poisoning route was a bite, try to get a description of the creature. If it is safe to do so, take the poisonous animal or insect to hospital.
• Chemical containers: be able to describe any HAZMAT symbol or label if you can get close enough to do so without putting yourself at risk. Do not touch these yourself. Remember that many household substances are toxic.

POISON FROM HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS

Many everyday household substances are potentially poisonous if misused. Unfortunately, many hospital admissions are the result of children drinking household chemicals while playing. Inside the home, cleaning materials are often the biggest risk, while in the garden herbicides, pesticides, and paint stripper are common culprits. Most household chemicals cause problems when they are swallowed. Many are corrosive and together with the effect of the poison may also cause burns to the mouth and food canal (digestive tract).

MANAGING SWALLOWED POISONS

TREATMENT
Make sure that it is safe for you to approach. Do not inadvertently kneel in chemicals or otherwise expose yourself to any risk.

1. Monitor and maintain airway and breathing. Be prepare to resuscitate if necessary.
2. Monitor consciousness. If the person becomes unconscious, put into the recovery position.
3. Call 911 or the Poison Control Hotline for advice on how to proceed.
4. Treat any burns, wearing protective clothing if necessary.
5. Support the person if he vomits and place in the recovery position if necessary.
6. Reassure the person while you are waiting for emergency assistance to arrive.
7. Identify the poison if possible because this will help medical staff determine what treatment is appropriate.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Signs of bottles, information from the victim, or from bystanders
• Burns to the mouth
• Vomiting
• Pain
• Impaired consciousness
• Difficulty in breathing

DO NOT!

Do not try to make the person vomit. If a person burns on the way down to the stomach, it will burn on the way up.

IF THERE ARE MOUTH BURNS. If the person stops breathing you will need to provide rescue breathing. However, if there are mouth burns because the poison was corrosive, you must take care not to put yourself at risk. Use a face shield or mask while rescue breathing. This should be placed between the teeth. The plastic shield forms a barrier as you give mouth-to-mouth.

     If there is no shield available, consider providing rescue breathing mouth-to-nose. Tilt the head and lift the chin as you would normally. Then close the mouth (using a piece of material as barrier against the poison if appropriate) and seal your mouth around the victim's nose. Provide rescue breathing at the same rate and ratio as you would when giving mouth-to-mouth. Take your mouth away after each breath and open the victim's mouth between breaths to let the air out.

     If the victim is breathing and conscious, you may provide relief from the burning by giving frequent sips of cold water. This will help relieve pain and reduce swelling.

PREVENTION OF POISONING FROM HOUSEHOLD SUBSTANCES

• Put all household cleaning materials and medicines up high out of the reach of children
• Consider putting any dangerous substances in a locked cupboard
• Always read instructions for use carefully. Some household chemicals should be used only in a well-ventilated room or with some protective clothing.
• Always store chemical in the container they came in or a clearly marked alternative. Never store chemicals in drinks containers or unmarked bottles
• Keep gardening supplies securely in the shed or garage in a locked container
• Where possible, buy medicines and cleaning materials in childproof containers

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Written by Unknown

Frederick Luneta is a 24-year old guy and he is a Computer Engineering student and a young part time blogger. Currently lives in the Philippines. He knows a lot about computer.