Chapter 35 lesson 2 Poisonings Poisons 1 and

Chapter 35 lesson 2 Poisonings

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