Saving Lives: Basic First Aid - What to Do if Someone is Poisoned?

healthcareport (36)in #health • 6 years ago

Hello Steemians!!

In @HealthcaReport we want you to be a hero and save lives! So today we are going to give you some BASIC, I said BASIC, yes, BASIC information to act in a poisoning situation, and most important : When NOT TO ACT!

1-First Thing, if you want to be prepared to act we really need to understand what poisoning means:

-POISONING:

Mayo Clinic explain poisoning in a simple way :

Poisoning is injury or death due to swallowing, inhaling, touching or injecting various drugs, chemicals, venoms or gases. Many substances — such as drugs and carbon monoxide — are poisonous only in higher concentrations or dosages. And others — such as cleaners — are dangerous only if ingested. Children are particularly sensitive to even small amounts of certain drugs and chemicals.

So here we can see there are different ways to get poisoned, being these:

1-Swallowing
2-Inhaling
3-Touching
4-Injecting

Besides this facts, there are other facts to consider when someone is poisoning, being these:

1-The person's symptoms
2-The person's age
3-Whether you know the type and amount of the substance that caused poisoning

Okay, okay, thath good, but how do I know the person is poisoned?

STEP 1:

1-SEE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS!!

A-Burns or redness around the mouth and lips
B-Breath that smells like chemicals, such as gasoline or paint thinner
C-Vomiting
D-Difficulty breathing
E-Drowsiness
F-Confusion or other altered mental status

STEP 2:

This person is poisoning! now what?

2-LOOK FOR CLUES:

Okay, first! PLEASE, Remain calm, one poisoned person next to an agitated person is the worst you can do! But calm doesnt mean innactive, be as fast and active as you can, as every second counts in this type of situation.

If you suspect poisoning, be alert for clues such as empty pill bottles or packages, scattered pills, and burns, stains and odors on the person or nearby objects. With a child, consider the possibility that he or she may have applied medicated patches or swallowed a button battery.

STEP 3:

3-CALL FOR HELP:

Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if the person is:

A-Drowsy or unconscious
B-Having difficulty breathing or has stopped breathing
C-Uncontrollably restless or agitated
D-Having seizures
E-Known to have taken medications, or any other substance, intentionally or accidentally overdosed (in these situations the poisoning typically involves larger amounts, often along with alcohol).

STEP 4:

4-MINIMIZE DAMAGE:

Take the following actions until help arrives:

A-Swallowed poison. Remove anything remaining in the person's mouth. If the suspected poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the container's label and follow instructions for accidental poisoning.

B-Poison on the skin. Remove any contaminated clothing using gloves. Rinse the skin for 15 to 20 minutes in a shower or with a hose.

C-Poison in the eye. Gently flush the eye with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes or until help arrives.

D-Inhaled poison. Get the person into fresh air as soon as possible.
If the person vomits, turn his or her head to the side to prevent choking.
Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as moving, breathing or coughing.

Call Poison Help at 800-222-1222 in the United States or your regional poison control for additional instructions.

Have somebody gather pill bottles, packages or containers with labels, and any other information about the poison to send along with the ambulance team.

ADITIONAL TIPS:

Every day, over 300 children in the United States ages 0 to 19 are treated in an emergency department, and two children die, as a result of being poisoned. It’s not just chemicals in your home marked with clear warning labels that can be dangerous to children.

Everyday items in your home, such as household cleaners and medicines, can be poisonous to children as well. Medication dosing mistakes and unsupervised ingestions are common ways that children are poisoned. Active, curious children will often investigate—and sometimes try to eat or drink—anything that they can get into.

Thankfully, there are ways you can help poison-proof your home and protect the children you love.

Thanks and God Bless You!

Image Sources:

https://vripmaster.com/es/health/injury-and-accidents/first-aid-and-emergencies/

Information Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-poisoning/basics/art-20056657
https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/swallowing

#education #food #help #life