|
|
First Aid and Treatment Recommendations |
|
|
|
||
IF YOU SUSPECT A POISONING, CALL 1-800-222-1222 RIGHT AWAY.
|
|
Treatment for a poison emergency will depend on the situation. First aid steps will depend on the victim’s age, the size of the victim, the type of poison and the amount of poison.
If the person is not conscious or not breathing:
· Call 911 right away.
· Take the poison away from the person’s eyes, skin or mouth. Take the victim away from poisonous fumes.
Warning: Sometimes, it may be too dangerous to rescue someone from an area that is filled with poisonous gas. The 911 operator will tell you what to do.
If the person is conscious and breathing:
· Call 1-800-222-1222 right away. Do not wait for the person to feel, look or get sick.
· Be ready to answer questions about the person’s age, sex, weight and health.
· Have the poison or its container with you when you call the poison center.
· If you are told to go to the emergency room, take the poison or its container with you to show the doctor.
POISON IN THE MOUTH
o Do not make the person vomit or give the victim something to eat or drink unless the poison center tells you to. You may be instructed to give the victim sips of water or milk.
o Call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222 even if the poison was not swallowed.
CAUTION: Some out-of-date first-aid charts may contain incorrect treatment information. DO NOT give raw eggs, salt, vinegar or citrus fruit juices to induce vomiting or to neutralize the poison. These treatments are not only ineffective, but may be extremely dangerous.
POISON ON THE SKIN
o Take off clothes that have poison on them. Wash these clothes separately.
o Rinse the skin very well with water. Then wash the skin gently with soap and water.
o Call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222.
POISON IN THE EYE
o Remove contact lenses if worn.
o Rinse the eyes with water for 15 minutes. Open and close the eyes while rinsing.
o Call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222.
POISON IN THE AIR
o Open windows and doors to let in fresh air.
o Leave the area and move to a place where you can breathe fresh air. Help others leave the area, but be careful not to breathe the poison yourself.
o Call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222.
|
|
© 2008 Illinois Poison Center, a program of the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council |