Written by There are some first aid steps you can take:
- Identify the poison. If possible, try to identify the poison the person has ingested. This will help the emergency responders to provide the best possible treatment.
- Remove the person from the source of the poison. If the person is still in contact with the poison, remove them from the source as quickly as possible. This may mean moving them to a fresh air environment or removing contaminated clothing.
- Call the Poison Control Center. The Poison Control Center can provide you with specific instructions on how to treat the person. They can also tell you if the person needs to be hospitalized.
General first aid steps for poisoning:
- If the person is conscious, give them water or milk to drink. This can help to dilute the poison and prevent further absorption.
- If the person is vomiting, help them to sit up and lean forward. This will help to prevent them from choking on their vomit.
- If the person is unconscious, place them on their side in the recovery position. This will help to prevent them from choking on their vomit.
- Stay with the person until help arrives. Monitor their breathing and heartbeat, and be prepared to perform CPR if necessary.
Important things to avoid:
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by the Poison Control Center. Inducing vomiting can be dangerous, especially if the person has ingested a corrosive substance.
- Do not give the person anything to eat or drink unless instructed to do so by the Poison Control Center. Giving the person food or drink could interact with the poison and make the situation worse.
- Do not try to diagnose the poison yourself. This is a job for the Poison Control Center.
If you follow these first aid steps, you can help to increase the person’s chances of survival.