Poisonings from household chemicals, poisonous berries, dangerous fumes, and other sources result in thousands of hospitalizations each year. Knowing how to manage the situation quickly and effectively can make the difference between survival or death. Read this article so you know exactly what to do in case you need to help someone who has been poisoned.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: When the Poison Has Been Ingested
Step 1. Immediately call the emergency service or a toll-free number of a poison control center
Ingesting a poison can lead to serious complications that cannot be addressed without medical intervention. If you think someone has ingested poison, get help right away. Try to determine what caused the poisoning and immediately give the person's age and weight to whoever answers the phone.
- Look for pills, plants or berries, irritation, burns on the mouth, etc. It is essential to know the source of the poisoning in order to treat it properly.
- If the person is unconscious or otherwise has severe symptoms, avoid calling the poison control center and seek medical help immediately.
- If you are unsure of what the person has ingested, seek medical attention immediately, no matter what the symptoms are.
- If the person has just ingested the poisonous substance, and you don't know whether or not it could be a serious problem, call the nearest poison control center or 911. The poison control center is a telephone line that assists you and can tell you which ones. measures to be taken to help the person who has been poisoned, and if hospitalization is required.
Step 2. Clear the person's airways
If the person has ingested a household product, pills, or other substance, it is important to ensure that nothing is left in the mouth or airways. Wrap a clean towel around your hand. Open the person's mouth and remove traces of the substance using the towel.
- If the person vomits, keep checking their airways by keeping the mouth area clean.
- If you are not sure what he ingested, keep the dirty towel and take him to the hospital for analysis.
Step 3. Check the person's breathing and pulse
See if the person is breathing, check their airways, and see if they have a pulse. If you can't feel your breath or heartbeat, do CPR immediately.
- If it's a child, do child CPR.
- If it's a newborn, do infant CPR.
Step 4. Keep the person in a comfortable position
Poison that has entered the nervous system can cause seizures, so it is important to take steps to prevent any injuries. Have the person lie on their side on a comfortable surface, and place a pillow under their head to make them more comfortable. Loosen your belt and other tight clothing. Remove jewelry and other constricting items.
- Make sure the person is not lying on their back if they are vomiting, as they may choke.
- Continue to monitor your breathing and pulse, and perform heart massage as needed until the doctor arrives.
Method 2 of 3: When the Poison Was Inhaled
Step 1. Request emergency help
Inhalation poisoning can lead to serious medical problems, and it is important for a rescue team to intervene. Inhalation can affect other people in the vicinity as well, so don't try to handle the situation yourself.
Step 2. Leave the toxic area immediately
Inhalation poisoning can occur as a result of toxic fumes, smoke or gas. Move the person, and anyone else nearby, to an area safe from these substances. It is best to go outdoors, away from the area where the exhalation occurred.
- If you need to save the person from a building, hold your breath as you enter and cover your mouth and nose with a wet piece of cloth to filter the air.
- Some toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, have no smell and cannot be detected except with a special detector. Don't assume that a room or building is safe just because you don't smell or see something toxic.
- If it is impossible to move the person, open the doors and windows to let fresh air inside and let the fumes or gas escape.
- Do not light a match or a fire because some invisible gases are flammable.
Step 3. Check the person's breathing and pulse
If you can't feel your breath or heartbeat, do CPR immediately. Keep checking your breathing and pulse every five minutes until the emergency unit comes in.
Step 4. Keep the person in a comfortable position until paramedics arrive
Have her lie on her side so she doesn't choke if she vomits. Put her head in a comfortable position with a pillow, and take off her constricting clothing and jewelry.
Method 3 of 3: When the Poison Comes in Contact with the Skin or Eyes
Step 1. Call Poison Control Center if victim is conscious (awake and alert)
This allows you to ask for specific advice on the treatment to be followed. Stay on the phone and follow any instructions they give you.
- If your skin or eyes have been exposed to a corrosive substance, keep the bottle containing it available so that we can describe the contents to the Poison Control Center.
- Some containers contain information on what to do in case of contact with the skin; take those instructions into consideration as well.
Step 2. Remove traces of the substance
If the poison is corrosive to the skin, remove the victim's clothing from the injured area. Throw away the clothing, as it will no longer be wearable and could injure someone else. Make sure there is no longer any chance for you or the person who was poisoned to expose you to the substance.
Step 3. Wash the area with warm water
Put lukewarm water on your skin or eyes, or any area that has been exposed, for 15-20 minutes. If the burning sensation persists, keep the area washed until a doctor intervenes.
- If the poison has come into contact with the victim's eyes, ask them to blink a lot, but avoid rubbing them, as it could cause further damage.
- Don't use hot or cold water to rinse the area.
Advice
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Enter the number of the poison control center in your home address book and save it to your phone or a mobile number. The numbers of the poison centers are:
- USA Poison Control Center (24 hours): 1-800-222-1222
- Canada: See NAPRA / ANORP website https://napra.org/pages/Practice_Resources/drug_information_resources.aspx?id=2140 for provincial numbers
- UK National Poison Emergency: 0870 600 6266
- Australia (24 hours a day, 7 days a week): 13 11 26
- New Zealand Poison Control Center, (24 hours): 0800 764 766
- Italy Health Emergency: 118 or see the website https://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C_17_pagineAree_1179_listaFile_itemName_0_file.pdf for the numbers of the regions.
- It is a good idea to have a list with photos of common poisonous plants in your region or garden so that you can easily recognize berries, flowers, etc.
- Do not induce vomiting unless asked to do so by medical professionals.
- Remember, the goal, first of all, is to prevent poisoning from occurring. To avoid future poisoning, you must keep all potential toxic poisons closed and out of the reach of children.
- Whenever possible, keep the poison container or label handy when calling for help. You will have to answer specific questions about the poison.
- Follow the instructions on the label if you give or take medicine.
- Read the label before using a product that can be poisonous.
- Do not administer ipecac syrup. This is no longer recommended as an adequate treatment for poisoning, and can also hide symptoms or interfere with reliable treatments. Providing yourself with vomiting alone does not remove poisons from your stomach.
Warnings
- Do not try to remove the pills from a child's mouth, it could push them deep into the throat.
- Always call emergency assistance, no matter what form of poisoning has occurred. Prompt and correct medical assistance is essential.
- Never leave children alone with household products or medications. Keep all poisonous and toxic substances securely closed out of their reach.
- Never mix household cleaning products with chemicals as some chemicals combined can create toxic gases.
