Poisoning first aid

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Check airway

White nail syndrome

Poisoning is caused by swallowing, injecting, breathing in, or otherwise being exposed to a harmful substance. Most poisonings occur by accident.

In a poisoning emergency, immediate first aid is very important. The first aid you give before getting medical help can save a person's life.

Approximately 2.5 million poisonings are reported to U.S. poison control centers every year, with nearly 1,000 reported deaths.

It is important to note that just because a package does not have a warning label doesn't mean it is safe. You should consider poisoning if someone suddenly becomes sick for no apparent reason, or if the person is found near a furnace, car, fire, or in an area that is not well ventilated.

Symptoms of poisoning may take time to develop. However, if you think someone has been poisoned, do not wait for symptoms to develop before getting that person medical help.

Items that can cause poisoning include:

• Medicines (such as an aspirin overdose)
• Household detergents and cleaning products
• Carbon monoxide gas (from furnaces, gas engines, fires, space heaters)
• Household plants (eating toxic plants)
• Paints (swallowing or breathing in fumes)
• Insecticides
• Illicit drug overdose (accidental or intentional)
• Chemicals in the workplace
• Certain foods (see:Food poisoning)

Review Date: 07/17/2006
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.