Overview
Poisoning happens when a substance harms the body after it is swallowed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin or eyes. Common sources include medicines, household cleaners, cosmetics, pesticides, alcohol, plants, and gases such as carbon monoxide. Prevention focuses on reducing access to harmful substances and using products carefully.
Key Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the substance and amount involved. Warning signs can include vomiting, trouble breathing, sleepiness, confusion, burns around the mouth, seizures, unusual smells on the breath, or sudden collapse. Some poisonings cause no immediate symptoms, which is why suspected exposure should always be taken seriously.
Causes and Risk Factors
Poisoning may be accidental or intentional. Risk factors include unsafe storage, transferring chemicals into food or drink containers, taking the wrong medicine, using several products without reading labels, poor ventilation, and exposure to carbon monoxide from fuel-burning devices. Alcohol and substance use can also raise the risk of accidental poisoning.
Who Is Affected
Anyone can be poisoned, but young children are especially vulnerable because they may put things in their mouths. Older adults may be at higher risk because of multiple medicines, memory problems, or vision difficulties. Workers exposed to chemicals, people living in homes with unsafe heating or cooking equipment, and people using pesticides are also at increased risk.
Prevention
Store medicines, chemicals, and alcohol up high, locked away, and out of sight and reach of children. Keep products in their original containers with labels attached, and follow directions exactly. Do not mix cleaning products, and use them in well-ventilated areas. Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms if used in your region, and check heating, cooking, and fuel-burning equipment regularly. Learn your local poison center or emergency number and keep it easy to find.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the substance, the amount, and the person’s symptoms. Emergency responders or healthcare professionals may use supportive care such as oxygen, breathing support, fluids, monitoring, skin or eye washing, activated charcoal in selected situations, or antidotes for certain poisons. Do not give food, drink, or home remedies unless a poison center or clinician tells you to do so.
Living With It
After a poisoning event, it can help to review how the exposure happened and make changes at home, work, or school to prevent another one. This may include reorganizing storage, improving labels, checking detectors, or asking a pharmacist or clinician to review medicines. Emotional support may also be important, especially after a severe or intentional poisoning.
When to Seek Medical Care
Contact a poison center, local emergency service, or a healthcare professional right away if you think someone was exposed to a poison, even if they seem well. Seek prompt medical care for persistent vomiting, dizziness, unusual behavior, chemical burns, eye exposure, or concerns about the wrong medicine or dose. If possible, have the product container or medicine name available when you ask for help.
When It May Be an Emergency
Call emergency services immediately if the person is unconscious, having trouble breathing, having a seizure, collapsing, hard to wake, or rapidly getting worse. Emergency help is also needed for suspected carbon monoxide exposure, large or unknown amounts of a toxic substance, or intentional self-poisoning. If a chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, begin rinsing with running water while getting urgent advice.