Poison Treatment
Sunday, July 13th, 2008Most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention. The most dangerous potential poisons are medicines, cleaning products, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, pesticides, furniture polish, gasoline, kerosene and lamp oil. Be especially vigilant when there is a change in routine. Holidays, visits to and from grandparents’ homes, and other special events may bring greater risk of poisoning if the usual safeguards are defeated or not in place.
If the victim is alert and ingestion is recent, with the exception of fuel oils and caustic soaps, induce vomiting.
* To cause someone to vomit, use syrup of ipecac, which is often in first aid kits.
* Do not induce vomiting with an oily poison because the substance may enter the lungs where it will create even greater problems. Small amounts of oily poisonous substances are best left alone to pass through the body. Milk may dissolve some of the oil and reduce the damage to cells as it passes out of the body.