What if you or someone in your family gets poisoned? (Poisoning) Let's be aware of this!

Oh my, little children put everything they can get their hands on in their mouths! Sometimes they can accidentally ingest even a medicine or cleaning solution that they have at home. Or we can unknowingly eat expired food and get a stomach ache. This is what we call poisoning . This can be very dangerous, so it is very important that we are aware of this.

What exactly is poisoning?

Simply put, poisoning is when something harmful or toxic enters our bodies and makes us sick. These toxic substances can be of many types. For example, some heavy metals , some gases , and even some plants in our garden can be poisonous.

Most of the time, these poisonings happen suddenly, unexpectedly . Imagine a small child drinking a lot of medicine after seeing colored pills, or getting a cleaning solution in their eyes. These are what we call accidental poisoning .

Also, sometimes a person may use a poison for the purpose of self-harm .

Important: If you or someone you know is having thoughts of harming themselves, please seek help immediately from a trusted person, a doctor, or mental health support services in Sri Lanka (e.g. Sumitrayo - 0112692909, 1333 National Mental Health Support Service). These services are confidential and are ready to listen to you.

What symptoms can occur in case of poisoning?

The symptoms of poisoning can vary from person to person. It depends on how the poison entered the body. Think about it this way:

• If a toxic chemical gets into the eyes: eye pain, redness, and swelling may occur.
• If something poisonous enters the stomach (by swallowing): Stomach upsets such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may occur.
• If something toxic comes into contact with the skin: skin rash, inflammation, and pain may occur.

These symptoms depend on several other things:

• Type and amount of poison: Symptoms vary depending on the type of poison and how much was ingested.
• Your age and general health: The same amount of poison can affect a small child differently than an adult. Also, poisoning can be more serious if someone has other medical conditions.
• Duration of exposure to the toxin: Some poisonings are acute exposures , meaning they affect you within seconds or minutes. Others are chronic exposures , meaning they affect you over time.

Symptoms of Acute Poisoning

Acute poisoning can cause a variety of symptoms to appear suddenly. These can be generalized or specific.It can only affect parts. Sometimes the poison enters the body and symptoms appear immediately, sometimes symptoms may appear hours or even days later .

If you think you have symptoms of poisoning, seek medical advice immediately or call 1990 (Suvaseriya) . The most common symptoms are:

• Changes in body temperature (fever or chills)
• Changes in heart rate (increased or decreased heart rate)
• Chest pain
• Confusion or loss of consciousness
• Cough (possibly with blood)
• Diarrhea, nausea and/or vomiting
• Dizziness, weakness, or fainting
• Eye pain, redness, swelling, or tearing
• Severe headache
• Severe inflammation of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract
• Skin rash, redness, pain, burning or stinging
• Severe stomach pain and limping
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of clear vision or complete loss of vision

Symptoms of Chronic Poisoning

In the long term, that is, over time, the effects of exposure to a toxin may not be apparent for years . For example:

• Long-term inhalation of toxic gases can cause lung damage , which can lead to difficulty breathing and a wheezing sound.
• Long-term exposure to radon gas can cause lung cancer.

What effects can poisoning cause?

The effects of poisoning can range from minor to very serious, and even fatal . In severe cases:

• Hospitalization may occur.
• Long-term treatment may be required.
• Permanent disabilities or injuries may occur.

How poisoning affects you depends on several factors:

• Poison: Some poisons cause only mild symptoms and can be treated with home remedies. However, some poisons can cause very serious illness.
• How the poison entered the body: Poisons can enter the body through the skin, mouth, nose, or eyes. Swallowing something, such as a common household cleaner, is more harmful than applying it to the skin.
• Amount ingested: Generally, the greater the amount of poison, the greater the harm.
• Duration of exposure: Poisoning can be immediate (seconds, minutes) or long-term. Long-term exposures often occur in workplaces (mines, factories, agriculture).
• How quickly you get treatment: Getting treatment quickly can reduce or stop the effects of poisoning.
• Age and health: Poisons affect young children differently than adults. Because children's bodies are smaller, even a dose that would not harm an adult can be fatal to a child. Also, people with underlying medical conditions may become more ill or have a harder time recovering from poisoning.

What are the causes of poisoning?

Poisoning occurs when you are exposed to something that is toxic enough to make you sick or harm you. A poison is, by definition, any substance that can make you sick or harm you. These can be liquids, solids, or gases. Poisoning can occur in the following ways:

• If you breathe in a poison in the air.
• If you eat or drink something that contains poison.
• If poison gets in your eye.
• If a poison is absorbed through your skin.
• If an animal or insect bites or stings you and injects venom.

Some substances are dangerous even in very small amounts , while others are harmful only if ingested in large quantities .

Common types of poison

There are countless types of toxins. Some of them we know by name, like carbon monoxide and lead . Others are not so obvious, and can be found in the foods, drinks, and products we use every day. Here are a few examples:

• Poisonous Plants: Some plants contain toxins that can be harmful if ingested or applied to the skin. For example, the common Oleander plant in our country is very poisonous. Also, some types of potatoes and nuts can be poisonous if eaten without knowing it.
• Venom: Poison from animals. Can enter the body through a wound. Examples: snake bites (cobra, viper), scorpion stings, bee stings, wasp stings, some spider bites. These can range from minor symptoms to life-threatening reactions.
• Heavy Metals: Heavy metals can be toxic when they accumulate in the body. Examples: Mercury poisoning , Arsenic poisoning , Lead poisoning . These can be found in some old water pipes, some dyes, and some traditional medicines that have not been properly purified (be careful with this!).
• Carbon Monoxide (CO): Inhaling this gas can cause carbon monoxide poisoning . CO is dangerous because it is invisible and odorless . You can only detect it if you have a CO detector at home. CO can cause death within minutes. (Example: Generator smoke, vehicle exhaust).
• Contaminated Food: Food is contaminated by toxins from things like bacteria , fungi , and mold.Food poisoning can occur. This happens when you eat food that is not fresh, has not been washed properly, has not been cooked properly, or has not been stored at the right temperature. The most common germs are (E. coli) , (Salmonella) , and (Listeria) . Ciguatoxin, a toxin found in some types of fish, can make you very sick.
• Mushrooms: Eating poisonous mushrooms can cause stomach upset, but most of the time they will go away on their own. However, some poisonous mushrooms can cause liver and kidney damage . So be very careful when eating wild mushrooms. It is very easy to confuse edible mushrooms with poisonous mushrooms.
• Medications: Any medication (prescribed by a doctor or bought from a pharmacy) can be toxic if used incorrectly. Common examples: narcotic pain medications , paracetamol (e.g. Panadol®), blood thinners . Tell your doctor about all the medications you take. He or she can check to see if they are safe for you and if they interact with each other in a negative way.
• Nicotine: Nicotine poisoning can happen to anyone, but it most often happens to young children when they smoke cigarettes or ingest the liquid from e-cigarettes .
• Alcohol: Alcohol poisoning occurs when you drink ethyl alcohol (commonly called "alcohol") faster than your body can process and eliminate it. It can also occur from drinking alcohol that the body cannot process safely (e.g., isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol , methyl alcohol (methanol) - which can be found in illegal alcohols like "spirits").
• Cleaning Products: The chemicals in many household cleaners can be toxic if swallowed, handled incorrectly, mixed together , or used incorrectly. Never mix bleaching powder with other cleaners, especially!
• Pesticides: The chemicals in many pesticides are toxic if swallowed. Great care must be taken when using these in gardening and agriculture.

How do doctors diagnose poisoning?

Poison control center specialists or other health care providers can diagnose poisoning. This can be done over the phone and/or at the hospital. Sri Lanka also has a National Poisons Information Center , their emergency number is 0112686143 .

First Aid for Poisoning

Providing first aid within seconds or minutes of exposure to a poison can prevent serious harm. However, first aid should only be attempted if the person is in one of these situations :

• If you are awake
• If you are feeling refreshed (Alert)
• If you are breathing normally
• Able to swallow things

If none of the above is true, call 1990 (ambulance) immediately or take to the nearest hospital!

First aid depends on how the poisoning occurred. Generally:

• If the poison comes into contact with the skin: Immediately wash the area with plenty of running water for at least 15-20 minutes. You can use soap.
• If the poison gets into the eye: Immediately open the eye and rinse it with clean running water for at least 15-20 minutes.
• If poison has been swallowed: Do not induce vomiting without medical advice! Seek medical attention immediately.

When to ask for help

Skip first aid and call 1990 or go to a hospital immediately in the following situations:

• If the person suddenly collapses or loses consciousness
• If you have a seizure
• If you have severe difficulty breathing

After first aid has been started , call 1990 in the following situations:

• If you still have severe eye irritation, pain, redness, swelling, or vision problems after washing for 15-20 minutes.
• If severe skin symptoms (blisters, burns, pain, swelling, redness) persist after washing for 15 minutes.

At all other times, after first aid has been administered, even if there are no symptoms, call the National Poisons Information Centre (0112686143) .

A poison control specialist will talk to you over the phone. He or she will ask you for some important information so that they can give you the best advice. Be prepared to provide the following information:

• The age and weight of the person concerned
• Known health conditions and allergies
• Type of poison or name of the product
• Amount of exposure
• How it entered the body (swallowed, inhaled, etc.)
• How long has it been since exposure?
• First aid provided
• Visible symptoms (such as vomiting)
• The person's location and the nearest hospital

The specialist will tell you in detail what to do and whether you need to go to the hospital.

Treatments for Poisoning

The poison control center or your doctor will determine the best treatment. Most of the time, first aid is all you need to get well. But sometimes you may need to stay in the hospital for treatment.

Treatment varies, depending on the type of poison and how it affects you. In addition to first aid, treatments may include:

• Antidotes:These are medicines that neutralize or reverse the effects of poison. The antidotes for each poison are different. Some poisons have no antidotes.
• Activated Charcoal and Stomach Pumping: These methods can help prevent toxins from being absorbed into the bloodstream. These should only be done by a doctor. Do not try to do them yourself.
• Supportive Care: Various supportive care measures (e.g., mechanical ventilation, IV fluids) are used to help maintain body function until the toxins are eliminated from the body.
• Induced Vomiting (very rare): Never induce vomiting unless directed to do so by a poison control center or trained medical professional.
• Chelation Therapy: This treatment involves administering medication to remove heavy metals from the body. This should also only be done by a qualified medical professional.

What should I expect if I get poisoned?

Poisoning affects everyone differently. It depends on many things, including the type of poison, your age, and your health. Some common poisonings, such as food poisoning and an allergic reaction to a poison ivy leaf, are not serious and can be treated with home remedies. But more serious cases may require hospitalization. Sometimes poisoning can be fatal.

If in doubt, it is best to seek medical advice immediately, without being unnecessarily panicked.

Can poisoning be prevented?

Yes, we can prevent or reduce the risk of many poisonings. Here are some things you can do:

• Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home (especially if you use a generator). Change the batteries every year.
• Keep all medications out of the reach of children. Always keep prescription medications locked away. Talk to your doctor about the correct dosage of medications (prescription and over the counter - OTC).
• Keep cleaning products, soaps, and household chemicals in their original packaging, out of reach of children. Never mix cleaning products or household chemicals!
• Do not touch or eat unfamiliar plants you see outdoors. If you are traveling to an unfamiliar area, research the plants and animals to avoid in that area.
• Follow food safety practices. Cook meat and fish thoroughly, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water, and avoid eating expired food.

We may overlook many of the things around us that can cause poisonings that could put us or our families at risk. But there are many things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones. From double-checking that your medications are properly locked up to being more mindful of food safety, you can takeRemember that a simple step can save a life.

The most important things to keep in mind (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so we've talked a lot about poisoning. Finally, here are some things to remember:

• Safety comes first: Keep household items like medicines, cleaning products, and pesticides safely out of the reach of small children.
• Don't eat or touch things you don't know: Be especially careful with wild mushrooms and unfamiliar plants.
• Food Safety: Be careful when preparing and storing food. Do not eat stale or dirty food.
• Be aware of symptoms: If you see signs of poisoning, don't panic, act quickly.
• Seek help immediately: If you think the situation is serious, call 1990 (Suvaseriya) immediately or go to the nearest hospital . If in doubt, call the National Poisons Information Centre (0112686143) for advice.
• Do not induce vomiting without medical advice!

Remember, quick action in the event of poisoning can save a life! So it's very important to be aware of this.

` Poisoning, first aid, symptoms, types of poisons, safety, emergencies