American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [126]
• The person’s age
• Name of the poison
• How much poison was swallowed
• When the poison was swallowed
• If the person has vomited
• How much time it may take to get the person to the nearest hospital emergency department
• The phone number where you can be reached immediately
Follow the instructions you are given exactly. Usually milk or water is given to dilute the poison, but you will need to be told which fluid to use, depending on the poison. Do not give fruit juice or vinegar; they might not be effective and they could be harmful. Do not induce vomiting or give syrup of ipecac or activated charcoal unless you have been told to do so by a doctor or by the poison center.
To treat poisoning:
1. If the person is not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately (see page 156).
2. If the person is vomiting, turn the person’s head to the side or facedown, with the head lower than the rest of the body to prevent choking on vomit. Place a child facedown across your knees.
3. Collect any vomited material in a container to take to the emergency department.
4. Bring the poison container with the person to the emergency department.
Common Household Poisons
The following poisonous substances are found in most homes. They are extremely harmful, and possibly fatal, if swallowed. Keep them in correctly labeled childproof containers, and store them out of the reach of children.
• Antifreeze
• Cigarettes and other forms of tobacco
• Cosmetics, colognes, or perfumes
• Drugs of any kind
• Gardening products such as fertilizer, fungicide, or weed killer
• Household cleaners such as bleach, dishwasher and dishwashing detergent, drain cleaner, furniture polish, glass cleaner, grease remover, laundry detergent, oven cleaner, scouring powder, or toilet bowl cleaner
• Insecticides
• Liquor
• Nail polish and removers
• Paint and paint thinner
• Certain plants (such as dieffenbachia, philodendrons, and spider plants)
Poisonous Plants
Some plants can cause an allergic reaction or direct chemical reaction on the skin, such as a burn or a blister. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are three of the most common plants that cause this reaction in susceptible people. When a person touches a poisonous plant (or touches clothing or a pet that has been in contact with the plant), an oily substance on the leaves gets on the skin and can cause an itchy, oozing rash (see color illustration on page 120). The rash can be easily spread to other parts of the body. The smoke from burning poison ivy, oak, or sumac can cause skin irritation and, if inhaled, can cause severe wheezing or difficulty breathing.
An over-the-counter lotion containing bentoquatam (which blocks the irritating oil that causes the allergic reaction) can be applied before a potential exposure to prevent or reduce an allergic skin reaction. It should be applied at least 15 minutes before the possible exposure (and every 4 hours after), and the skin should be washed after exposure even if the lotion was applied. The medication will not stop or prevent a reaction if applied after exposure.
To treat poison ivy, oak, or sumac:
1. Wear gloves if you are helping someone who has been exposed to a poisonous plant remove his or her clothing.
2. Wash the skin and clean the fingernails immediately (within 15 minutes) with mild soap and water to remove the oily plant substance.
3. Apply cool packs to the affected areas.
4. Tell the person not to scratch or rub the affected areas; scratching can worsen or spread the rash.
5. Take frequent warm (not hot) showers or oatmeal baths, apply calamine lotion or topical corticosteroids to the affected areas, and take oral antihistamines or over-the-counter pain relievers to help relieve itching.
6. Wash clothing thoroughly, using warm water and a laundry detergent that can remove oil.
7. If the reaction is severe or if the rash is on the person’s face (especially around the eyes or mouth) or genitals,