POISONING

Poisoning is the harmful effect that occurs when a toxic substance is:

Swallowed Inhaled Comes in contact with the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes, such as those of the mouth or nose.

Poisoning is the most common cause of nonfatal accidents in the home.

Common source of poisonings

Drugs Gases, Household products, Plants, Industrial chemicals, foods (certain species of

mushrooms and fish).

However, almost any substance ingested in sufficiently large

quantities can be toxic.

Vulnerability to accidental poisoning

Young children,Older people, Hospitalized people (from drug

errors)

Industrial workers (from exposure to toxic chemicals)

Poisoning may also be a deliberate attempt to commit murder or suicide (taking more than one drug or consume alcohol)

(at home, often from confusion about their

drugs )

The damage caused by poisoning depends on :

1.Poison: Type, Potency, & Amount taken.

2.Patient: Age & Health

Some poisons are: Not very potent and cause

problems only with prolonged exposure or repeated ingestion of large amounts.

So potent that just a drop on the skin can cause severe damage.

Some poisons produce symptoms within seconds, whereas others produce symptoms only after hours or even days.

Some poisons produce few obvious symptoms until they have damaged vital organs (e.g. kidneys or liver).

Poisoning

Plant Poisoning

Chemical Poisoning

Plants Poisoning

1. Toxicity by eating excessive amounts of some plants:

2. Toxicity by drinking excessive amounts of Beverages

3. Capsicum

4. Medicinal plants:

5. Ornamental plants and garden flowers:

Plants Poisoning

1-Toxicity by eating excessive amounts of some plants:

Guava seeds, spine fig seeds or similar plants

Some cooked vegetables,e.g. Molokheya.

Spices

GIT upset, colic pain, vomiting and constipation in individuals with irritable colon syndrome.Diarrhea

GIT troubles

Nutmeg(type of spice with narcotic action)

potent hypnotic & hallucinating effect, severe headache, dizziness, nausea.

2- Toxicity by drinking excessive amounts of beverages

Excessive drinking of Coffee, or Tea may:

blood pressure & irregular heart beats.

CNS side effects (insomnia & nervousness).

3- Capsicum: - Inhaled irritation of mucus

membrane ------- oropharyngeal edema & suffocation.

- In contact with skin skin irritation & itching.

Plants Poisoning

3- Medicinal plants:Some medicinal plants can cause

serious toxicity when prescribed by non-professional people

e.g.• Senna plant (laxative) • Caster oil (laxative) • Datura (hallucination and

psychological disorders may occur).

Plants Poisoning

4- Ornamental plants and garden flowers:

Some of these plants if eaten by children or come in contact with skin or mucous membrane may cause serious poisoning e.g.

Lily (contains cardiac glycosides)

Jessamine (if digested nervous

troubles)

Narcissus ( dermal irritation).

Plants Poisoning

First aid management:

Identifying the poison is crucial to successful treatment.Labels on bottles and other information from the person, family members, coworkers or the victim (if he can talk) enables the doctor or the aider to identify poisons.

Try to treat the apparent symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, or stomach pain till medical help arrives.

Plants Poisoning

In unconscious patients:

breathing normally place him in the recovery position.

snoring of gurgling open the air way by putting the tongue forward.

not breathing normally mouth-to-mouth breathing & chest compression till normal breathing is retained.

Plants Poisoning

If he is:

Many people who have been poisoned must be hospitalized.

The principles for the treatment of all poisoning are the same:

- Prevent additional absorption - Increase elimination of the poison

- Give specific antidotes, if available

- Prevent re-exposure.

With prompt medical care, most people recover fully.

Plants Poisoning

Chemical Poisoning

Chemical poisoning occurs when toxic substances and solvents come in contact or enter the body and negatively affect organ function.

Caused by the ingestion, inhalation or absorption (through the skin) of harmful substances by the body.

Chemicals that can cause poisoning include:

acids, alkalis, ammonia, chlorine disinfectants, heavy metals herbicides, insecticides and

petroleum products.

When these substances are absorbed by the body, damage to the internal organs, especially the liver, may occur.

First aid for chemical accidents:

Give alarm to others in the area so that no one else is harmed.

Protect yourself.

Terminate the victim exposure by removing him from the contaminated area

Notify emergency services

Support the respiration and circulation of the victim.

Calm and comfort the victim.

I- Inhalation:Inhalation of irritating vapors or fumes as concentrated acids (HCl, acetic acid), ammonia, chlorine, etc

Symptoms: Irritation of mucous membrane

(nose, mouth, eyes and throat) Excessive discharge from eyes

(tears) and nose, coughing and sneezing.

Chest pain, difficulty in breathing. Headache, nausea and muscle

weakness In some cases convulsions, loss of

consciousness and even death may occur.

First aid:

1-Remove the victim from the contaminated area, and try not to harm yourself.

2- Call the emergency

3- Try to move him to an aerated place, loosen his collar and belt.

.……Inhalation

5- Check the pulse, if no pulse, begin CPR.

6- Keep the victim warm (cover with a blanket).

4- Open the airway, if no breathing, begin rescue breathing (mouth-mouth breathing).

II- Ingestion:

Symptoms of acute poisoning:

Irritation & swelling of lips, mouth & throat.

Pain in swallowing with intense thirst.

Nausea & vomiting.

Risk of stomach perforation.

Difficulty in breathing.

In some case, convulsions, coma or even death may occur.

Stomach

Check the airway for obstruction

Loosen tight clothing (collar and belt).

If the victim is conscious, give him cold water and let him rinse his mouth and spit out several times. He can also drink cold water to dilute the effect of the poison.

The main goal is to dilute the ingested poison and prevent further injury caused by vomiting.

First aid:….. Ingestion

If the victim is not breathing or the pulse is irregular start rescue breathing and CPR.

If the victim is unconscious and breathing normally put him in the recovery position and cover him with a blanket to keep him warm.

….. Ingestion

DO NOT:

Give an unconscious victim anything to drink or eat

Use any alkali to neutralize ingested acid (worsen the condition)

Give the victim oil to dilute the poison

Give sodium bicarbonate or any carbonated drinks.

….. Ingestion

III- Skin contact:

Symptoms:Burning sensation, redness,

swelling with severe pain, tingling sensation, painful blisters

First aid:

Our goal is to remove the chemical in contact with the skin as quickly as possible.

Remove the victim from the source of contamination.

Remove clothing, shoes, or jewelry from the affected area as quickly as possible.

Rinse the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes.

In case of severe injury or burn call the emergency help or transport him to the hospital.

If the patient is in state of shock cover him and elevate his legs.

DO NOT use oil or hot water to dilute the chemical in contact with the skin.

……. Skin contact

Let the patient sit with his head tilted to the back and hold the eyes open and pour water slowly over the eyeball at the inner corners letting the water run out from the outer corners.

IV- Splashing of eye:

Remove the victim from the source of contamination.

Immediately rinse the eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes

It is better to hospitalize even if the victim doesn’t feel more pain.

DO NOT: let the victim rub his

eyes. keep his eyes tightly

closed. put any oil or ointment

in his eyes. use hot water.

……Splashing of eye

First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy reach, is a necessity in every home.

Having supplies gathered ahead of time will help you handle an emergency at a moment's notice.

You should keep one first-aid kit in your home and one in your car.

first-aid manual

sterile gauze

adhesive tape

adhesive bandages in several sizes

elastic bandage

antiseptic wipes

alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol

Include the following in each of your first-aid kits

tweezers sharp scissors

safety pins thermometer

disposable instant cold packs

calamine lotion

plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)

flashlight and extra batteries

mouthpiece for administering CPR

your list of emergency phone numbers

blanket (stored nearby)

Read the entire first-aid manual so you'll understand how to use the contents of your kits.

Store first-aid kits in places that are out of children's reach but easily accessible for adults.

Check the kits regularly. Replace missing items or medicines that may have expired.

After you've stocked your first-aid kits

Thank you