What to do if someone is poisoned

Do you know what to do if someone is poisoned?

Emergency action steps

1. Remain calm.
2. Don't delay seeking advice.
3. Remove the poison from contact with eyes, skin, or mouth.

If poison made contact with eyes:

• Gently wash eyes with lukewarm tap water for at least 15 minutes.
• Have the person blink as much as possible while flooding the eye.
• Do not allow person to rub the affected eye(s).

If poison made contact with skin:

• Remove contaminated clothing.
• Wash the poison from the skin with large volumes of water for 15 minutes.

If poison made contact with the mouth:

• Remove all tablets, powder, plants, etc., from the mouth.
• Examine the mouth for any burns, cuts, irritation or unusual coloring.

If poison is inhaled:

• Immediately get the person to fresh air.
• Avoid breathing the fumes.
• Open all doors and windows.
• If the person is not breathing, begin artificial respiration.

If poison is swallowed:

• Do NOT give anything by mouth until calling for advice at 1-800-222-1222.
• For chemical or household products - unless the patient is unconscious, having convulsions or cannot swallow - give milk or water immediately.
• Call for professional advice about whether or not to make the person vomit.

The next steps
Once you have taken the first emergency steps, call your doctor or the Iowa Statewide Poison Center 1-800-222-1222.

Don't hesitate to call the Poison Center. It is your first line defense against injury. If you are unsure what poison the patient has come into contact with, contact the Poison Center for guidance.

When you call, provide your doctor or the Poison Center with as much information as possible:

• Identify yourself and the person who came in contact with poison.
• Give your telephone number so you can be reached if your call is accidentally disconnected.
• Give the approximate age and weight of the person who came in contact with the poison.
• If possible, have the poison container available so you can read the label to your doctor or the Poison Center.
• Estimate how much poison was taken.

Your doctor or the Poison Center will tell you what steps to take next.

Again, remain calm, but don't delay seeking advice. There is time to act.

To induce vomiting
If your doctor or the Poison Center indicates you should induce vomiting in the person who swallowed poison, use the prescribed amount of Syrup of IPECAC.

Dosage:

Children one year of age or less - two teaspoons (10 ml).

Children one year of age and older - one Tablespoon (15 ml).

Adults - two Tablespoons (30 ml).

Give the appropriate dose of Syrup of IPECAC with a glass of water or a favorite drink.

If the patient hasn't vomited in 15 minutes, give another dose of Syprup of IPECAC and another glass of liquid.

Don't waste time trying other ways to induce vomiting.

• Tickling the back of the throat is ineffective.
• Do NOT use salt water. It is ineffective and potentially dangerous.

Never induce vomiting if:

• The person is unconscious.
• The person is having a convulsion.
• A caustic substance (strong acid or alkali) was swallowed.
• A petroleum-based product (gas, lighter fluid, cleaning products, furniture polish, etc.) was swallowed.

If you are instructed to go to the hospital:

• Take the poison and its container or the plant with you.
• Do not attempt additional first aid unless your doctor or the Poison Center instructs you to do so.

The best way to treat poisoning is to avoid it. If it does occur, be prepared for it.

To avoid a poisoning:

• Keep all drugs and dangerous household chemicals locked up.
• Never put a dangerous chemical in a beverage container.
• Do not rely on child-proof caps.
• Do not store drugs in purses, drawers or the medicine cabinet.
• Never call medicine "candy."

If there is a poisoning:
Be sure to have Syrup of IPECAC available to induce vomiting if instructed by your doctor or the Poison Center. Keep one ounce for each child or grandchild in the home available for emergencies.

Syrup of IPECAC:

• Can be purchased at your pharmacy without a prescription.
• Should be stored at room temperature.
• Will keep for years.

Iowa Statewide Poison Center 1-800-222-1222 (Call Toll-free--Iowa Only)

Last Reviewed 2005

Source: Iowa Statewide Poison Center, A Public Service provided jointly by St. Luke's Regional Medical Center/Iowa Health System, Sioux City, and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.