Poisoning
Poisoning
Poisoning occurs when a toxic solid, liquid or gas enters the body. It can enter through:
- Inhalation (breathing it in)
- Ingesting (swallowing)
- Absorption (through the skin)
- Injection
A poison can be corrosive; such as bleach. or it can be non-corrosive such as tablets or drugs.
Common poisons include:
- Poisonous berries or fungi
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Carbon monoxide
- Pesticides used in farming and agriculture
- Household cleaning products such as bleach
- Medicines
A corrosive substance will cause burns to body tissues causing swelling and damage. This can be both internal and external. Swelling to the airways from corrosive burns can cause life threatening airway complications.
Signs & Symptoms
- Nausea or vomiting
- Burning (internal or external) including mouth, lips and throat
- Breathing difficulties
- Seizures
- Stomach cramps and pain
- Unconsciousness
Treatment
Follow the Remove, Remove, Remove hazardous substance guidance issued by UK Government for external contamination from a poison, which can be summarised as:
- Remove yourself and the casualty from the hazard area into fresh area.
- Remove outer clothing if contaminated (trying to avoid removal over the head).
- Remove the substance from the skin using dry, absorbent materials (paper) and then wash with lots of water.
Treatment for a corrosive substances:
- Make sure you are safe from the poison. If the substance is on the casualty’s skin do the following:
- Initially brush off dry chemical poisons then flush with lots of water.
- Wash away liquid chemicals with lots of water.
- If the poison has been swallowed and the casualty doesn’t feel sick, allow them to rinse out their mouth and sip milk or water.
- Call 999/112.
- If the casualty becomes unconscious open their airway and check breathing. Perform CPR if necessary and use a face shield. If breathing, put them into recovery position.
Treatment for non-corrosive substances:
- Call 999/112.
- If the casualty becomes unconscious open their airway and check breathing.
- Perform CPR if necessary and use a face shield. If breathing, put them into recovery position.
- It is helpful to gather any information about the poison, when it happened, how much was taken and any vomit samples that could be used for analysis.
Treatment for inhalation of fumes such as Carbon Monoxide:
- Move casualty to fresh air (if safe for you to do so).
- Check airway and breathing, if the casualty is unconscious put them into the recovery position.
- Call 999/112.
- Isolate any equipment (if safe to do so) that is causing the fumes.
- If the casualty is conscious, continue to monitor airway and start CPR if necessary.
