Chapter 35 lesson 2Poisonings

Poisons

• 1 and 2 million poisonings occur in the United states every year

• ½ of poisonings involve medicines and household products that are swallowed or inhaled

• Poisoning can also result from insect or animal bites and even from touching certain substances, such as poison ivy

• Most poisonings involve children under 6

Swallowing Poison

• Symptoms of swallowing poison• Sharp abdominal cramps• Extreme drowsiness• Loss of consciousness• Vomiting • Chemical odor on breath• Chemical burns on lips• Open container

First Aid for Swallowing Poison

• Call poison control center• Be prepared to give information about

victim and poison• May be told to give milk or water to dilute

poison• May be told to give Emetic to induce

vomiting, such as teaspoon of table salt with warm water

• Treat victim for shock

Snakebite

• 4 poisonous types in United States• Rattle snake• Copperhead• Water moccasin (cotton mouth)• Coral snake• ½ of all poisonous snakebites occur in Texas,

Louisiana, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas

•

Snakebite

• 1% of the people bitten by poisonous snakes die

• A large number of deformities and amputations do result from poisonous snake bites

Rattle Snake

Copperhead

Water Moccasin

Coral Snake

First Aid for Snake Bite

• Get Victim to Hospital

• Keep bitten area at or below the level of the heart

• Call, or have someone call, EMS

• Delay the absorption for venom

• Maintaining breathing and prevent aggravation of the wound

Contact Poisoning

• 2 categories

• Plants

• Chemicals

First Aid for Plants

• Poison ivy, Poison oak, Poison sumac

• First defense is to learn what they look like

• Some have no reaction, others develop severe skin rash, followed later by blistering, swelling, burning, itching and perhaps fever

Poison Ivy

Poison oak

Poison sumac

First Aid for Plants

• 1 – Remove contaminated clothing

• 2 – Pour large quantities of water over the affected area

• 3 – Wash area thoroughly with soap and water

• 4 – Calamine lotion can be used to relieve the itching

• 5 – If pain severe, seek medical attention

First Aid for Poisonous Chemicals

• Pesticides, solvents, household cleaning supplies, and highly abrasive cleaners are among the chemicals that can cause poisoning

• Chemical poisoning through direct contact with a chemical is usually characterized by a burning of the skin, like a sunburn

First Aid for Poisonous Chemicals

• 1 – remove clothing that has come into contact with the chemical

• 2 – Flooding the area with water for 15 minutes

• 3 – Contact the nearest poison control center