Seeking help as fast as possible is the best way to survive poisoning. Avoid treating them by yourself, whether it is caused by drugs, chemicals, venoms, or gases. However, it takes a couple of minutes before an emergency staff member arrives. So, the next thing to do after dialing 911 or the poison control hotline is to take some action until help arrives.
Survive Poisoning: Things To Do While Waiting For Help
According to Mayo Clinic, if you suspect that the person ingested the poison, anything that is still in the person's mouth should be taken out. If a household product or other chemical is the cause of poisoning, read the label on the container and follow any accidental poisoning guidelines provided.
For skin poisoning, put on gloves and take off any contaminated clothing. Rinse the skin in a shower or with a hose for 15 to 20 minutes. For eye poison, gently flush the eye with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes or until help comes in.
If the poison was inhaled, as quickly as possible, get the person outside to get some fresh air. Turn the person's head to the side if they vomit to prevent choking. If the person is not breathing, moving, or coughing, start doing CPR.
To ingest button batteries, take the person or child to the emergency X-ray to locate the battery. Removing the battery if it is in the esophagus will be necessary. It is typically safe to let the object pass through the intestinal tract if it has entered the stomach.
If you suspect that a kid has access to medicated patches, carefully examine the child's skin and remove any patches that may be present. Also, check the roof of the mouth because if a child is sucking on a patch of medication, it may be trapped there.
Take note that when an opioid overdose occurs, administer naloxene (Narcan). Also, don't make someone throw up by inducing vomiting; never give Ipepac syrup.
Dr. Timur Durrani, a toxicologist and preventative medicine physician advises those with bee allergies to carry epinephrine medication in a prepackaged vial.
But that is not the only checklist you need to have on hand to survive poisoning. You must also know the signs and the information you need before you dial the hotline.
ALSO READ : How to Survive Nuclear Bomb Attack As War Looms
Signs of Poisoning and Information that Emergency Hotlines Ask
Seizures, alcohol intoxication, insulin reaction, and stroke are just a few conditions whose symptoms and signs can be mistaken for those of poisoning. Other symptoms and signs of poisoning include redness or burns near the lips and mouth; breath that smells like paint thinner, gasoline, or other chemicals; vomiting; and difficulty breathing.
Always remember that the poison expert will want to know a lot of information while you speak on the phone, so have everything ready.
The age and weight of the exposed person, any health issues or ailments, the product in question (including any bottles or containers that could lead to intoxication), your exact location, and how long it would take you to travel to a hospital are all included in the information as the Health Resources & Services Administration advice.
The questions of how the product came into contact with the person, when the poison came into contact with the person, what first aid has previously been administered, and whether the individual has vomited must also be provided.
RELATED ARTICLE : Will Seaweed Help You Survive a Nuclear War? Here's What Scientists Say
Check out more news and information on Medicine and Health in Science Times.
