Poisoning
Poisoning is exposure to a poisonous substance or over-exposure to a normally harmless substance. The substance may be swallowed, inhaled, injected or absorbed.
Substances may be introduced to a patient
- By mouth – ingestion
- Breathed in – inhalation
- Enters through the skin – absorption
- Physically forced into the tissues or blood stream – injection
The effects of poisoning may be immediate, local at point of contact, or be delayed, taking several hours
Signs
- Evidence of poisoning e.g. containers
- Lowered conscious level
- Seizures
- Substance around mouth/on clothing
- Respiratory arrest / breathing difficulties
- Cardiac arrest
- Car exhaust running
- Rash
Symptoms
- The patient/bystander tells you about substance
- Nausea / vomiting
- Abdominal pain
Treatment
If possible, establish which substance, amount taken and time of poisoning. Save any vomit, pills containers, or samples of substances for the ambulance and hospital. Be careful to protect yourself from any poison present
If the patient is conscious
- It is essential you phone the Poison Centre and do only as directed
- Take patient to the phone with you if possible
- Wash any burning substance off mouth and face with water only
- Remove contaminated clothing
- Save any evidence
- DO NOT make vomit
- DO NOT give anything to the patient unless directed to do so by the Poison Centre.
If the patient is unconscious or confused
GET HELP/ DIAL EMERGENCY
If rescue breathing is necessary, mouth-to-nose rescue breathing should be used in case of contamination by the poison that has been swallowed or inhaled
Note
- First aid measures printed on product containers may not be correct
- Inhalation can present a danger to responders. Only if you can protect yourself do you move the victim to fresh air
Poison Centre No
The toll free number is in the telephone book, please note
In Brief
If the patient is conscious DIAL POISON CONTROL CENTRE
If the patient is unconscious DIAL EMERGENCY
For comprehensive first aid information please refer to the MediTrain First Aid Manual or complete a MediTrain First Aid training course.
This First Aid tip is just one example of the contents of the SkillsforLife First Aid Manual.