Poison Control- Types of poisoning

Here is what we are also learning currently:

Routes of exposure:

• · Ingestion
• · Inhalation
• · Injection
• · Absorption

Ingested poisons:

• · Prescription meds
• · Over the counter meds (aspirin, acetaminophen, cough syrups)
• · Illegal drugs (illicit)
• · Household products
• · Cleaning agents (soaps, detergents, alkalis)
• · Foods
• · Insecticides
• · Petroleum products
• · Plants (common poisoning emergency especially in children under the age of 5, plants also include wild mushrooms)

Inhaled poisons:

• · Carbon monoxide
• · Carbon dioxide from industrial sites, sewers, and wells
• · Chlorine gas (common around swimming pools)
• · Fumes from liquid chemicals and sprays
• · Ammonia
• · Sulfur dioxide (used to make ice)
• · Anesthetic gases (either, nitrous oxide, chloroform)
• · Solvents used in dry cleaning, degreasing agents, or fire extinguishers
• · Industrial gases
• · Incomplete combustion of natural gas
• · Hydrogen sulfide (sewer gas)
• · Nitrogen dioxide from fermented grain

*Inhaled toxic can directly damage alveoli (air sacs of the lungs responsible for gas exchange which circulates oxygen throughout your body). This causes fluid to leak into the alveoli and disturb gas exchange, leading to hypoxia (not enough oxygen in body cells). Inhaled poisons usually have a quicker onset than injected poisons and may produce more systemic effects.

Commonly abused inhaled poisons:

• Paints
• Freon
• Gas propellants
• Glue
• Nitrous oxide
• Amyl nitrate
• Butyl nitrate

Injected poisons:

• Bites and stings (most common source of injected poisons)
• Drugs (heroin, opiates, cocaine, and amphetamines)

Absorbed poisons:

• Chemicals (dry or liquid)
• Substances from poisonous plants
• Dogs flea collar (for an infant who chews on this will absorb the chemical in the flea collar through his/her mucous membranes of the mouth)

*Dry chemicals should be brushed off the body, protect the patient’s airway as well as your own to not inhale any of the chemical. Call poison control to find out if you should flush (water) the skin down.

*liquid chemicals should be flushed with water for at least 20 minutes. Be aware of hidden areas on the body such as finger nail beds, skin creases, area b/w fingers and toes and remove contaminated clothing and jewelry.

***Three fourths of poisons can be treated at home, still call your Poison Control Center to be sure of first aid procedure. Never guess if a poison will hurt you or someone else, even if taken in a small amount!