POISON

POISON
POISON Any substance, solid, liquid or gas, COMMON HOUSEHOLD
that tends to impair health or cause death POISON
when introduced into the body or onto the
skin surface. Poisoning emergency can be
 Sleeping pills
life threatening.  Pain relievers
CAUSES:  Insect & rodent poisons
 Common in suicide attempts  Kerosene
 Occasional accidental poisoning  Denatured alcohol
WAYS IN WHICH POISONING MAY OCCUR
 INGESTION - by mouth.  Lye & acids including
boric
 INHALATION - by breathing.
 INJECTION - by animal bites, stings,
 Poisonous plants
syringes.  Contaminated water
 ABSORPTION - by skin contact.  Fumes
 INGESTED POISON
INGESTED POISON is introduced into SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
the digestive tract by way of the mouth.
One form of ingestion poisoning is food
 Altered mental status
poisoning, a general form that covers a  History of ingesting
variety of conditions. poisons

SUSPECT FOOD POISONING IF:

 Burns around the mouth
 Victim ate food that “didn’t taste  Odd breath odors
right” or may have been old,
improperly prepared, contaminated,
 Nausea, vomiting
left at room temperature for a long  Abdominal pain
time, or processed with excessive
amount of chemicals.
 Diarrhea
 Several people who ate together
become ill.
 INGESTED POISON
INSTANCES WHEN VOMITING FIRST AID FOR INGESTED POISON
SHOULD NOT BE INDUCED

 If unresponsive  Try to identify the poison

 Cannot maintain an airway  Place the victim on his or her
 Has ingested an acid, a left side
corrosive such as lye, or a  Monitor ABC’s
petroleum product such as  Save any empty container,
gasoline or furniture polish spoiled food for analysis
 Has a medical condition that  Save any vomitus and keep it
could be complicated by with the victim if he or she is
vomiting, such as heart attack, taken to an emergency facility
seizures and pregnancy
 INHALED and ABSORBED POISON
INHALED POISON
is a poison breathed into the lungs

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS FIRST AID FOR INHALED POISON

 History of inhaling poisons  Remove the victim from the
 Breathing difficulty toxic environment and into
 Chest pain fresh air immediately
 Cough, hoarseness, burning  Monitor ABC’s
sensation in the throat.
 Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of  Seek medical attention
skin and mucous membranes).
 Dizziness, headache
 Seizures, unresponsiveness
(advanced stages).
INHALED and ABSORBED POISON
ABSORBED POISON
poison that enters the body through skin
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS FIRST AID FOR ABSORBED POISON
 History of exposures  Remove the clothing
 Liquid/powder on the skin  With a dry cloth, blot poison
from the skin. If the poison is a
 Burns dry powder, brush it off.
 Itching, irritation  Flood the area with copious
 Redness, rash, blisters amounts of water.
 Continually monitor the
patient’s vital signs
 Injected Poison
is a poison that enters the body through a bite, sting or syringe

INSECT BITES FIRST AID

Signs and Symptoms
 Remove stinger
 Stinger may be present  Wash wound
 Pain
 Cover the wound
 Swelling
 Possible allergic reaction  Apply a cold pack
 Watch for signals of allergic
reaction
 Injected Poison
is a poison that enters the body through a bite, sting or syringe

SPIDER & SCORPION BITES FIRST AID

Signs and Symptoms  Wash wound

 Bite mark  Apply a cold pack
 Swelling  Give medical care to receive
 Pain antivenin
 Nausea and vomiting  Call local emergency
 Difficulty breathing or number, if necessary.
swallowing
 Injected Poison
is a poison that enters the body through a bite, sting or syringe

MARINE LIFE STINGS First Aid

 Remove stinger
Signs and Symptoms
 Jellyfish – soak in vinegar
 Possible marks and baking soda or shaving
cream (don’t put urine)
 Pain
 Stingray – soak in non-
 Swelling scalding hot water until
pain goes away
 Possible vomiting
 Clean & bandage wound
 Possible allergic reaction  Call local emergency
number, if necessary
 SNAKE BITES
COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
OF A SNAKE
 Bite marks VENOMOUS
NON-
VENOMOUS
 Pain Movement
Cortina, side
locomotion
Semicortina
curvature
winding
FIRST AID Oblong-
Head shape Semi-triangular
 Wash wound Body shape Rectangular
shaped
Circular
 Keep bitten part
still, and lower Skin texture Rough Smooth

than the heart Shape of eyes Vertical Round

 Call local Ways of attack Non-constrictor Constrictor

emergency Horseshoe
Bite marks With fang marks
number shape
 HUMAN AND ANIMAL BITES
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
 Bite marks
 Bleeding
FIRST AID
 If bleeding is minor – wash wound
 Control bleeding
 Apply antibiotic ointment
 Cover the wound
 Get medical attention if wound bleeds severely or you suspect
animal has rabies
 Call local emergency number or contact animal control
personnel
 HUMAN AND ANIMAL BITES
General Care for Poisoning

 Survey the scene

 Remove the victim from the source of the poison
 Do a primary survey
 Care for any life threatening condition
 If the victim is conscious, do a secondary survey
 Do not give the victim anything by mouth unless
advised by medical professionals.