Poisons

A poison is a substance which is harmful to your body. Poisons may be taken accidentally or deliberately. Poison accidents are often caused through carelessness.

There are four ways poisons can enter the body, through

Ingestion - Taken by mouth, liquid or solid
Inhalation - Breathed in, gases or fumes
Absorption - Taken in through the skin, pesticides etc
Injection - Insect and animal bites, needles (drugs)

Types of Poison

Poisons can be classified as:

Corrosive/Irritant
Non - Corrosive

Signs and Symptoms - all or some may be present

Corrosive/Irritant

Vomiting
Swelling and pain in mouth and throat
Odours on breath
Abdo pains and diarrhoea
Burns or staining on lips
Drooling
Unconscious
Cardiac Arrest

Non - Corrosive

Neurotoxic Poisons

A neurotoxin is any substance which possesses the ability to damage or destroy nerve tissue. Neurotoxic injury may occur on an intentional or inadvertent basis.

Example of intentional injury would be drug abuse from Heroin

Respiratory

Breathing slow and laboured
Breathing shallow
Respiratory arrest

Eyes, ears, nose, and throat

Pinpoint pupils
Dry mouth
Tongue discoloration

Heart and blood vessels

Weak pulse
Low blood pressure

Nervous system

Drowsiness
Disorientation
Coma

Management

GO DR SHAVPU ACBC

Remove from source of poison, Induce vomiting if not a corrosive/Irritant substance, Remove contaminated clothing, If in eyes treat as for eye injury, Get a sample of poison or container and take to hospital so substance can be identified, attach patient to ECG, Reassurance, Be prepared to carry out CPR

Secondary Survey

ASHICE (Consider)

Transport to Hospital

Professional Handover