Oral Poisoning and Home Treatment

Although poisons may be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, for the most part they are swallowed. The term ingestion refers to oral poisoning.

Most poisoning can be prevented. Children almost always swallow poison accidently. Keep harmful substances, such as medications, insecticides, caustic cleaners, and organic solvents like kerosene, gasoline or furniture polish out of the reach of children. The most damaging are strong alkali solutions such as drain cleaners (Drano and others), which will destroy any tissue with which they come in contact.

Treatment must be prompt to be effective, but accurate identification of the substance is as important as speed. Don’t panic. Call the doctor or poison control center immediately and get advice on what to do. Attempt to identify the substance without causing undue delay. Always bring the container with you to the emergency room. Life-support measures take precedence in the case of the unconscious victim, but the ingested substance must be identified before proper therapy can be instituted.

Suicide attempts cause many significant medication overdoses. Any suicide attempt is an indication that help is needed. Such help is needed even if the patient has “recovered” and is in no immediate danger. Most successful suicides are preceded by unsuccessful attempts.

Home Treatment

All cases of poisoning require professional help. Someone should call for help immediately. If the patient is conscious and alert and the ingredients swallowed are known, there are two types of treatment: those in which vomiting should be induced, and those in which it should not. Vomiting can be dangerous if the poison contains strong acids, alkalis or petroleum products. These substances can destroy the esophagus or damage the lungs as they are vomited. Neutralize them with milk while contacting the physician. If you don’t have milk, use water or milk of magnesia.

Vomiting is a safe way to remove medications and suspicious materials. It is more effective and safer than using a stomach pump and does not require the doctor’s help. Vomiting can sometimes can be achieved immediately by stimulating the back of the throat with a finger (don’t be squeamish!), or by giving two to four tea spoons of syrup (not extract) of ipecac, followed by as much liquid as the patient can drink. Vomiting follows usually within 20 minutes, but because time is important, using your finger to induce is sometimes quicker. Or you can try both methods. Mustard mixed with warm water also works. If there is no vomiting in 25 minutes, repeat the dose of syrup of ipecac. Collect the vomitus so that it can be examined by the doctor.

Before, after, or during first aid, contact a doctor. Many communities have established poison control centers to identify poison and give advice. These are often located in emergency rooms. Find out if such a center exists in your community, and if so, record the telephone number both on the accompanying decision chart and in front of this book. Quick first aid and fast professional advice are your best chance to avoid a tragedy.

If an accidental poisoning has occurred, make sure that it doesn’t happen again. Put poison where children cannot reach them. Flush old medications down the toilet.