In the Spotlight

March 22, 2000

Poisonings: Do You Know What To Do?

By Thomas Booth MD, MS
V.P., Medical Affairs, PersonalMD.com Editor-in-Chief
Diane Schweisguth, RN, BSN
Editor, PersonalMD.com

Children and adults are unintentionally poisoned every day. Do you know what a poison is? Would you know what to do?

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), a child is unintentionally poisoned in the United States every 30 seconds, with 60 percent of these poisonings occurring in children under the age of six.

Children under age six are most often unintentionally poisoned due to their curious nature - they put most things in their mouths, - they will eat or drink almost anything, - and are attracted to colorful packages and good smelling substances.

Most poisonings occur when the daily household routine has been disrupted, for example, when a baby-sitter is taking care of the child; when the parent or care giver is called away from the task they are doing, such as occurs when the telephone rings or someone is at the door; or during mealtimes when people are busy. The most common products involved in poisonings are medications, household and chemical products, plants, and cosmetics.

What is a poison?

According to the AAPCC, a poison is any substance that can cause an unintended symptom. For example, if you are taking medication for a certain condition and your child gets a hold of the tablets and takes them, then a poisoning has occurred - or if your child drinks window washing liquid, something that is not intended, then a poisoning has occurred. Substances that are not usually considered to be "poisonous", if in the wrong hands, can be dangerous.

Poisons can generally be found in four forms:

• Solids. These would include tablet medications, plants, powders (such as powdered laundry soap), granular pesticides, and fertilizers.
• Liquids. These would include liquid medications, lotions, liquid soaps, liquid cleaning products (such a furniture polish), perfumes, paint, and lighter fluids. Liquids can be very dangerous as large quantities can be swallowed in a short amount of time and they are rapidly absorbed.
• Sprays. These would include products in spray or aerosol forms, such as insecticides, spray paint, and spray or foam cleaning products. Aerosol sprays may be inflammable, explode, or cause damage to the heart and lungs if inhaled.
• Gases and vapors. These would include "invisible" poisons such as carbon monoxide, exhaust fumes and other fumes, and industrial pollution in the air.

Poison control centers are your best source of information about poisons. These centers are local and regional facilities that are staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with pharmacists and registered nurses who are specially trained in how to deal with, and treat poisonings of all kinds.

Because most poisoning can be treated at home, they will give you the best information on how to treat the poisoning and what to do. There is no charge for calling a poison control center. (When you are finished reading this article, look in your telephone book for the number of your local poison control center and write it down next to the telephone with your other important telephone numbers.)

What you can do

So, what should you do if you suspect, or know a poisoning occurred? Here's what the AAPCC recommends:

1. Remain calm.
2. If the person is unconscious, having convulsions (seizures), or difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1; otherwise call your local Poison Control Center or your doctor.

   You will need to tell the doctor or Poison Control Center information specialist the following information:
   -The person's condition - how they are feeling or acting
   -The person's age and weight
   -The name of the product and ingredients if known
   -The amount of the product taken, if known
   -When the poisoning occurred
   -Your name and telephone number

3. Listen carefully and DO what the Poison Control Center or your doctor tells you. DO NOT follow the first aid instructions on the product label - they may be outdated or incorrect.

How you can preventing a poisoning

Here are some tips on what you might do to prevent a poisoning from occurring.

Household and chemical products

• Store all household and chemical products in their original containers. DO NOT use food containers such a soda bottles to store these items.
• Store food and household and chemical products in separate areas. Many of these items are packaged in similar looking containers or are similar in color.
• Store all household and chemical products out of the reach of children. If there are young children in the home, put safety locks on the cabinets in which these products are stored, and be sure all products are recapped. Use child-resistant caps, but keep in mind that "child-resistant" does not mean, "childproof." (If given the time, most children will remove the cap.)
• Put all household and chemical products away as soon as you are finished using them. If you have a young child or pet in the home and you are called away, such as to answer the door, before you are finished using the product, take the child or pet with you. Most poisonings occur during the time when the product is in use.
• Read and follow the directions and caution labels on household and chemical products. Do not mix these items together as a poisonous gas may be created, and do not sniff containers to discover what is inside.
• When using household and chemical products keep the area well ventilated; open windows, turn on fans, etc.
• Discard old or outdated household and chemical products.
• When spraying household and chemical products, be sure the spray nozzle is directed away from your face and from other people.
• When spraying pesticides and other chemicals, wear protective clothing such a long sleeve shirts, long pants, sock, shoes, gloves, and protective eyewear. Pesticides can be absorbed through the skin. If possible, stay away from areas that have recently been sprayed. Children and pets should especially be kept away from these areas.

Medications

• Read and follow the directions and warnings on the labels of all of your medications. If you have any questions about the intended use of your medicine or directions, call your doctor.
• Be aware of potential drug interactions with other medications and alcohol. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking other medications, including over-the-counter or natural or herbal supplements, and ask if you can drink alcoholic beverages while taking the medication.
• Make sure all medications, including vitamin and herbal supplements, are in their original container and properly labeled.
• Use child-resistant containers or caps, but keep in mind that "child-resistant" does not mean, "childproof", therefore keep all medications, including vitamins and herbal supplements out of the sight and reach of children. (If given the time, most children will open the container.)
• Avoid taking medications in front of young children as they often imitate "grown-ups."
• Never call medicine "candy", even medications such as chewable vitamins. Young children do not know the difference.
• Flush old and outdated medications down the toilet.
• Never share prescription medications.
• Never take medications in the dark.
• Be aware of the medications that visitors may bring into your home. Young children are curious and may look in handbags, makeup cases, suitcases, etc. Keep items such as these out of the reach of children.
• Keep a bottle of Ipecac syrup in your home and be sure everyone knows where it is. However, DO NOT use it unless instructed to do so by the Poison Control Center or your doctor.

Plants

• Obtain a list of poisonous and non-poisonous plants from your local Poison Control Center. Keep poisonous plants out of the reach of children and pets.
• Know the names of the plants in your home and yard. Do not assume that a plant is safe if you see wild animals eating it.
• Teach your children not to eat the leaves, berries, or flowers of plants, or any mushrooms growing in the yard.
• Keep children and pets away from plants that have recently been sprayed with weed or bug killer or fertilizer.
  

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