Poisoning - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

    >>Overview

• Poisons are substances that cause injury, illness or death
• These events are caused by a chemical activity in the cells 
• Poisons can be injected, inhaled or swallowed 
• Poisoning should be suspected if a person is sick for unknown reason
• Poor ventilation can aggravate Inhalation poisoning 
• First aid is critical in saving the life of victims 

   >>Causes

• Medications 
• Drug overdose 
• Occupational exposure 
• Cleaning detergents/paints 
• Carbon mono oxide gas from furnace, heaters 
• Insecticides 
• Certain cosmetics 
• Certain household plants, animals 
• Food poisoning (Botulism) 

   >>Symptoms

• Blue lips 
• Skin Rashes 
• Difficulty in breathing 
• Diarrhea 
• Vomiting/Nausea 
• Fever 
• Head ache 
• Giddiness/drowsiness 
• Double vision 
• Abdominal/chest pain 
• Palpitations/Irritability 
• Loss of appetite/bladder control 
• Numbness 
• Muscle twitching 
• Seizures 
• Weakness 
• Loss of consciousness 

   >>Treatment

• Seek immediate medical helpMeanwhile,

• Try and identify the poison if possible 
• Check for signs like burns around mouth, breathing difficulty or vomiting 
• Induce vomiting if poison swallowed 
• In case of convulsions, protect the person from self injury 
• If the vomit falls on the skin, wash it thoroughly 
• Position the victim on the left till medical help arrives 

>>For inhalation poisoning

• Seek immediate emergency help 
• Get help before you attempt to rescue others 
• Hold a wet cloth to cover your nose and mouth 
• Open all the doors and windows 
• Take deep breaths before you begin the rescue 
• Avoid lighting a match 
• Check the patient's breathing 
• Do a CPR, if necessary 
• If the patient vomits, take steps to prevent choking 

   >>Steps to Avoid

• Avoid giving an unconscious victim anything orally 
• Do not induce vomiting unless told by a medical personnel 
• Do not give any medication to the victim unless directed by a doctor 
• Do not neutralize the poison with limejuice/honey

   >>Prevention

• Store medicines, cleaning detergents, mosquito repellants and paints carefully 
• Keep all potentially poisonous substances out of children's reach 
• Label the poisons in your house 
• Avoid keeping poisonous plants in or around house 
• Take care while eating products such as berries, roots or mushrooms 
• Teach children the need to exercise caution