Poisoning

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Medindia » First Aid » First Aid-Poisoning

Poisoning - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

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   Overview
   Causes
    Symptoms
   Treatment
   Steps to Avoid
   Prevention

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 help

Meanwhile,

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

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY(ICE)-Life Saving Measures

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Member Comments ( 8 )

thanks......but much more specific about treatment... incase of rural area wt is the primary care
(Posted by teena7, India Date : 2/10/2013 )

Thanks for your site and the contents. Information on first aid, i like very much as i am trainer in first aid for the last 25 years.
If you provide more photos on all subject it is very good to added to ppt.
thanks.
Jayaprakash
IRCS KARNATAKA
(Posted by jpds52, India Date : 9/2/2012 )

if a person took very harmful poison what should we do before going to a doctor

(Posted by thiru51, India Date : 6/11/2012 )

thnx medindia i got full marks in my ss project of class 10 with the help of information given here
(Posted by animesh27, India Date : 5/23/2012 )

thank u so much med india for all the information i seek from your site. i need not browse for another site for my project as urs were just fabulously described with all i need.. thank u so much
(Posted by Sam.Vivek, N/A Date : 11/6/2011 )

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