Overview
Poisoning is an injury caused by exposure to a harmful substance. The poison may be swallowed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin or eyes. Effects can range from mild stomach upset to severe breathing problems, brain injury, or death. Quick recognition and urgent advice from emergency services or a poison center can make a major difference.
Key Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the substance, the amount, and how the exposure happened. Common warning signs include nausea, vomiting, belly pain, dizziness, confusion, unusual sleepiness, headache, burns around the mouth, trouble breathing, or seizures. Some poisons cause very fast symptoms, while others may not cause problems for hours. If carbon monoxide or other gases are involved, people may develop headache, weakness, nausea, confusion, or collapse.
Causes and Risk Factors
Common causes include accidental swallowing of medicines, cleaning products, pesticides, cosmetics, alcohol, drugs, or poisonous plants. Poisoning can also happen from food contamination, carbon monoxide exposure, industrial chemicals, or overdose of prescription or nonprescription medicines. Risk is higher when products are stored in drink bottles or left within reach, when labels are not followed, or when substances are mixed. Using chemicals in poorly ventilated spaces also raises risk.
Who Is Affected
Anyone can be poisoned, but young children are especially vulnerable because they explore by putting things in their mouths. Older adults may be at risk because of medication mix-ups or memory problems. Workers exposed to chemicals, people using alcohol or drugs, and anyone living with unsafe heating or fuel-burning equipment may also face higher risk. A poisoning can happen at home, at work, outdoors, or while traveling.
Prevention
Keep medicines, chemicals, alcohol, and nicotine products locked up and in their original containers. Read labels carefully, never mix household cleaners unless the label says it is appropriate, and use chemicals only with good ventilation. Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms if used in your area, and keep fuel-burning devices properly serviced. Store products out of sight and reach of children, and avoid calling medicine 'candy.'
Diagnosis and Tests
Healthcare professionals try to identify what substance was involved, how much, and when the exposure happened. They may check breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, mental status, and signs of burns or injury. Tests can include blood or urine tests, heart monitoring, or imaging, depending on the suspected poison. Bringing the container, label, or a photo of the substance can help emergency teams.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the poison and may include removing contaminated clothing, washing skin or eyes with water, giving oxygen, supporting breathing, or using activated charcoal or an antidote in some situations. Hospital care may also involve IV fluids, seizure treatment, heart monitoring, or other supportive care. Do not give food, drink, or home remedies unless a poison center or medical professional tells you to. Do not try to induce vomiting unless specifically instructed.
When to Seek Medical Care
Get medical advice right away for any suspected poisoning, even if symptoms seem mild at first. Contact your local poison center if available, or call emergency services if you cannot reach expert advice quickly. Seek prompt care if a child may have swallowed a medicine, chemical, button battery, magnet, or unknown substance. Also get urgent help after eye exposures, chemical burns, or inhalation of fumes or gases.
When It May Be an Emergency
Call emergency services immediately if the person is unconscious, hard to wake, having trouble breathing, having a seizure, collapsing, or acting severely confused. Emergency help is also needed for severe chest pain, blue lips, major burns, suspected carbon monoxide exposure, or overdose of opioids or other drugs. If the person has poison on the skin or in the eyes, begin rinsing with running water while waiting for help if this can be done safely. If you suspect poisoning from a gas, move to fresh air right away if it is safe to do so.