Chemical poisoning. How to treat chemical poisoning

Chemical poisoning is an extremely serious condition that poses a serious danger to the human body. Such poisoning can occur due to the introduction of toxic substances into the body through the digestive tract, respiratory system, skin or mucosal area.

It will never be superfluous to learn about substances that can provoke chemical poisoning, to become familiar with the main symptoms, clinical manifestations and the provision of full assistance in this critical situation. Such poisoning can be caused by a large number substances.

In this situation, we are talking about medicinal products, cleaning products, cosmetic products, industrial chemicals, and chemical weapons. Chemical poisoning is a very painful illness.

Sources of chemical poisoning

Causes of chemical poisoning

The key reasons why harmful poisons and toxins enter the human body are:

  1. In unintentional or intentional consumption of chemical products. An adult may attempt suicide in such a situation, but a child may completely carelessly drink or use a nice-smelling dishwashing product.
  2. The release of any chemical substance into the atmosphere due to an industrial accident or the use of chemical weapons.
  3. Official negligence, as a result of which chemical solution could get on the skin or mucosal area. In this situation, it is quite easy to get zinc poisoning and poisoning with cholinomimetics.

Household chemicals are a dangerous potential source of poisoning

Symptoms of chemical poisoning

Signs of poisoning are visible to the naked eye. The symptoms of this disease directly depend on the type and volume toxic substance that got inside, and key features the human body that has suffered. A certain subcategory of poisons with a small toxicity index can easily disrupt the functionality of the entire body in a situation of long-term exposure or at the time of the next introduction into the body in colossal volumes.

There are also substances that are so toxic that even one small drop of this substance can cause serious consequences. The level of toxicity of a chemical in any individual situation directly depends on the component of the human body.

A certain category of normally non-toxic chemicals are toxic to a person who has a specific genotype. Fluoride poisoning can harm the body. The amount of toxic chemical that can cause symptoms of poisoning may also depend on how old the person is. For example, small child in case of contact with the body huge number paracetamol is more likely to provoke signs of poisoning than an identical dosage in the average person.

Chemical poisoning requires immediate assistance

For adults, sedatives belonging to the azepine group can be harmful in a dosage that is not capable of causing any problems in ordinary people of middle age. In a manufacturing plant, zinc poisoning can occur during welding.

The symptoms of this disease may be insignificant, but extremely bad and accompanied by itching, dry mouth, blurred vision, pain, or may pose a danger to a person: for example, the presence of disorientation, coma, impaired cardiac speech, difficulty breathing and excessive excitability.

A certain subcategory of toxins may manifest itself immediately after accidental use, while others may take a long time to appear, or even over the course of a week. Chemical pollution and poisoning can also cause serious illness.

Chemical poisoning can be caused by various poisons

There are also many poisons that are not capable of exhibiting the usual symptoms until irreparable defects in functions occur. various organs. Due to this, the symptoms can be as huge as the number of toxic substances. Contact with chemicals should be minimal. And first aid must be provided as quickly as possible.

Diagnostics

The optimal course of treatment for a patient who has been poisoned by a chemical substance occurs only after correct diagnosis. Although a certain number of toxic effects of specific chemicals are quite distinct, many of the syndromes observed at the time of poisoning can easily be mistaken for another ailment. Chemical pollution and poisoning can be found anywhere.

Poisoning can most often be diagnosed by different signs, up to coma. But chemical toxins are an extremely unpleasant thing, and the presence of any poison in the human body can not be taken seriously in a situation where the key symptoms are just minor mental or neurological damage, abdominal pain or the most common rash on the skin.

Plus, the sick person may not be aware of the effects of chemicals on his body, as happens with chronic illness. A good experienced doctor is constantly obliged to remember the various expressions of the disease and respond instantly in any critical situation. So chemical poisoning must be controlled. You also need to give the patient an antidote.

Chemical poisoning requires accurate diagnosis

In any case, it is necessary to initially install the toxic agent and eliminate the pollutant. Of course, without this identification it is not possible to carry out special therapy with the help of antidotes. In a situation of murder, suicide or abortion, the identification of a toxic substance may be a legal formality.

In a situation where poisoning is a natural result at a production plant or is a therapeutic error, detailed information about the functioning agents will be needed to prevent future relapses. The industrial sector today is full of chemical products.

In a situation where acute unexpected poisoning occurs, the poison that accidentally entered the body may be known to the victim himself. IN different situations Data can actually be obtained from loved ones, using a container located at the site of poisoning, or by talking with the treating doctor. Often this type of action is an opportunity to identify solely the trade formulation of a substance that has no data on its chemical composition.

A certain category of poisons is capable of developing characteristic clinical symptoms, which are quite enough to establish an accurate diagnosis. Quite often, when a full examination of the sick person occurs, it is possible to detect an unusual smell of cyanide, a cherry coloring of the skin and mucous membranes. All this can be removed with antidotes or a powerful antidote can be given.

When conducting chemical analysis liquids human body, you can easily provide the most accurate identification of the poison that contributed to the poisoning. Several highly sought after poisons, among which there was a place acetylsalicylic acid and barbiturates, it is possible to detect and even identify the volume, thanks to fairly simple laboratory diagnostics. To discover the rest harmful substances, a more complex medical examination will be required.

Treatment of chemical poisoning should occur in a hospital

Providing assistance in case of chemical poisoning is mandatory! In this situation, they often resort to gas or liquid chromatography with the highest resolution, which is carried out exclusively in special laboratories. Plus, it is rarely possible to obtain toxicology results at the specified time in order to begin to resolve the issue of complex treatment of poisoning.

However, a sample of vomit, urine, and stool must be retained for toxicology testing, which raises a number of diagnostic or legal questions. Chemical examination of the human body is extremely important in the situation of diagnosing and assessing the level of severity of chronic poisoning. You can also get poisoned using various alkalis.

Treatment

To implement correct treatment, you need to remember both the key principles of the victim’s behavior and all aspects of therapy at the time of severe poisoning. The action to eliminate poisons from the body consists of:

  • warning of the upcoming absorption of a toxic substance;
  • removing absorbed toxin from the human body;
  • symptomatic supportive measures or symptomatic prophylaxis regarding disorders of the circulatory system, respiratory system, neurological damage and kidney function;
  • introduction of an extremely powerful antidote. Thanks to this, the removal of chemical poisoning will be faster, which can be the result of clear, coordinated actions.

The above steps apply to different types chemical poisoning. The latter solution is often used exclusively at the moment when it has been possible to obtain data on the toxic agent and there is access to a special antidote. But if there is a high degree of suspicion that a person has overdosed, they are prescribed naloxone.

For chemical poisoning, Naloxone is prescribed

It is also worth adding that for many toxic substances there are simply no special antidotes, and in order to carry out special maintenance therapy, you do not need to know which of the toxic agents contributed to the poisoning. Because of this, the doctor must always try to identify the toxic chemical, and this step should not slow down a particularly vital therapeutic measure. Only thanks to this, the elimination of chemical poisoning will go smoothly.

Respiratory damage

Damage to the respiratory tract is considered to be a separate section of chemical poisoning. The source most often lies in various gases that have damaging properties for all organic matter. For example, prolonged contact with household gas, other flammable materials, gasoline evaporation and other other chemical products common in everyday life is considered to be harmful to humans. Symptoms of vapor poisoning can vary widely. This type of chemical poisoning is perhaps the most dangerous, since determining the source of the lesion and its elimination is quite problematic.

Chemical poisoning causes damage to the respiratory tract

This type of poisoning is accompanied by several key signs:

  • cough;
  • strong sputum production, ichor is often present;
  • increased heart rate;
  • breathing is impaired;
  • dizziness;
  • feeling of weakness.

Special assistance in all these situations consists initially of removing the source and ensuring maximum human access to fresh air flows. Of course, you must immediately call qualified medical assistance.

Video

You will learn a lot from this video useful information about chemical poisoning and methods of providing assistance.

Chemical poisoning can be caused by pesticides, hydrocyanic acid salts, solvents, acids, cleaning products, medicines and other substances containing active chemical agents. Effective treatment for symptoms of chemical poisoning depends on the route of entry, type of poison, dose, age and health of the person affected. To preserve life and health, it is important to competently provide the victim with first aid and take him to the hospital.

Pesticides

Pesticides - chemicals, used to kill pests. Types of pesticides: repellents, insecticides, herbicides, growth regulators; attractants. Contains salts of heavy metals (copper, mercury), organochlorine (dust), organophosphorus, and urea-containing substances.

In everyday life or agriculture, pesticide poisoning occurs when life safety rules are not followed. Pesticide poisoning occurs when poisons penetrate through the skin, with food, by airborne droplets, or through household contact.

Pesticide poisoning is characterized by a clinical picture that depends on the main toxin that is part of the pesticide:

First aid

If intoxication with pesticides occurs, you need to:

  • ensure the cessation of the entry of poisons into the body;
  • give protein, starch or Almagel to drink (they have enveloping properties and reduce absorption);
  • Give activated carbon to drink as a sorbent (one tablet per kilogram of weight);
  • rinse eyes 2% soda solution, wash the skin with soap and water;
  • induce vomiting if toxic substances are ingested.

Cyanide poisoning

Types of cyanide: cyanide acid, potassium cyanide, sodium cyanide - salts of cyanide acid. Rosaceae seeds (plums, apricots, almonds) contain amygdalin, which decomposes to hydrocyanic acid.

Routes of entry into the body are household (potassium cyanide salts are part of artistic paints) and industrial (cyanides are used in electroplating, the production of pesticides, and plastics).
With a rapid form of intoxication with hydrocyanic acid, literally within a few seconds convulsions occur, blood pressure rises and falls, breathing stops, and death occurs. The slow form of hydrocyanic acid poisoning lasts up to several hours. Symptoms: smell and taste of bitter almonds, vomiting, headache, rapid breathing, chest pain, depressed consciousness.
With severe intoxication with cyanide salt or cyanide acid, convulsions, cardiovascular failure, paralysis, and death occur.

Help for intoxication with salt - potassium cyanide and hydrocyanic acid should be urgent:

  • take the victim out into the air;
  • remove the victim’s clothing and place it in a bag for further disposal (if possible, use gloves or tongs);
  • wash the victim with soap and water, rinse eyes well clean water;
  • rinse the stomach with a 2% soda solution;
  • give warm tea with sugar to drink (glucose blocks the toxic effect of hydrocyanic acid); drip amyl nitrite onto a piece of cotton wool (from the company’s first aid kit to provide to medical care for poisoning with potassium cyanide and hydrocyanic acid), give it a sniff every two minutes;
  • If necessary, perform artificial respiration.

Solvent poisoning

Solvents are chemical organic substances. The main solvents include acetone, gasoline, ether, alcohols, chlorine, dichloroethane, and solvent.

They penetrate the lungs in the form of vapors and are absorbed into the blood through the skin. Solvent poisoning can cause drug-like symptoms.

Symptoms of intoxication: irritation of the mucous membranes, accompanied by coughing and sneezing, headache and dizziness, drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, fainting, convulsions. Possible damage to the main organs: liver, kidneys, cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory systems.

First aid

  • take the injured person out into the air;
  • wash the body, rinse eyes with running water;
  • take activated carbon tablets.

You cannot drink hot sweet drinks, milk, vegetable oil - these products increase the absorption of poisons! Do not use petroleum products!

If you suspect severe poisoning, you should consult a doctor to avoid the development of complicated bronchitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, and nephritis.

Arsenic poisoning

Arsenic poisoning can occur through negligence or suicide.

Penetration into the body occurs when consuming products containing arsenic (part of food preservatives), using pesticides, antifungal drugs with arsenic.
Arsenic is used in glass production, electronic devices, the leather industry, and chemical production.

Arsenic poisoning is characterized by a garlicky odor on the breath, dehydration, and rice-like stools. When hitting respiratory tract Arsenic vapor can cause rapid death. Arsenic poisoning affects all organ systems: conduction in the heart muscle is disrupted, pulmonary edema and signs of respiratory failure, jaundice, esophageal erosion, bleeding develop, and the kidneys are affected.

It is impossible to be poisoned by an arsenic drug during dental treatment if the toxic material is removed in time.

First aid is standard. You need to do gastric lavage. To lavage the stomach, you need to prepare two liters of water with salt (two teaspoons per liter of water). Remove poison from the surface of the skin by washing with soap. There is no need to drink activated carbon; it practically does not help the absorption of poison.

Poisoning with sulfur compounds

Types of sulfur compounds: sulfur dioxide (part of smog), hydrogen sulfide (formed in sewer collectors), carbon disulfide chemical plants, sulfuric acids and salts.
Penetrate through the respiratory tract, skin, digestive system. Poisoning with pure sulfur is rare; poisoning with sulfur compounds - sulfuric acid salts, oxides, sulfurous acid or sulfuric acid - is most often observed.

Symptoms of hydrogen sulfide poisoning: pain in the eyes, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema may develop, and death.

Carbon disulfide has neurotoxic and psychotropic effects: hyperemia, burning, headache, nausea, garlic odor, convulsions, loss of consciousness, coma, paralysis. May be fatal.

Symptoms of hydrogen sulfide poisoning: pain in the eyes, shortness of breath, symptoms of bronchitis, pulmonary edema and death may develop.

Symptoms of sulfur dioxide poisoning: cough, wheezing in the lungs, hemoptysis, swelling.

First aid:

  • Remove the affected person from the toxic substance area.
  • Wash exposed skin with soap and water.
  • You can drip Amyl Nitrite onto a cotton swab and let the victim breathe.
  • Give ammonia to sniff.
  • In case of acid burns, it is necessary to wash the damaged area of ​​the body with clean water and rinse with a weak soda solution.
  • In case of acid burns, the eyes should also be rinsed with plenty of running water, then rinsed with a 2% soda solution.

Domestic gas poisoning

Poisoning occurs when inhaling air containing a mixture of butane and propane.

Symptoms of poisoning: headache, agitation, nausea, constriction of pupils, slow pulse, salivation, decreased blood pressure

First aid:

  • Take the victim out of the room, create an influx of fresh air.
  • Give the patient a drink to remove toxins, a sorbent.
  • If the heart and breathing stop, perform cardiac massage and artificial respiration.

Medical assistance

Help is aimed at:

  • removal of poisons from the body;
  • administration of antidotes;
  • maintaining the performance of organs and organ systems;
  • relieving symptoms of hypoxia;
  • carrying out infusion, symptomatic therapy, oxygen therapy, hemodialysis.

Each type of poisoning has its own developed complex of medical treatment.

Prevention of poisoning

  • Compliance with safety regulations.
  • Studying instructions for use and precautions when working with toxic substances.

Folk remedies and herbs for the treatment of poisoning

  • To remove lead salts and heavy metals from the body, you can prepare an infusion of horsetail (1:20), drink half a glass 3-4 times a day.
  • The infusion of knotweed actively removes toxins (add a spoonful of herb to two glasses of water). Drink the infusion a third of a glass 2-3 times a day.
  • Chronic mercury poisoning is treated with an infusion of 3 tablespoons of green walnuts, 5 tablespoons of horsetail. You need to take 2 dessert spoons of the collection, pour a liter of boiling water, let it brew and take 100 ml 6 times a day.
  • In case of poisoning carbon monoxide An infusion of 100 g cranberries and 200 g lingonberries is recommended. Steam in 300 ml of boiling water, leave, take 50 ml 6 times a day.
  • Infuse 20 g of elecampane root in a glass of boiling water for 20 minutes. If there is liver intoxication, drink a tablespoon 4 times a day.
  • If your throat is burned by chemicals, you should drink oil solution St. John's wort: take 2 cups of olive oil per glass of flowers and leave for about a month.
  • Antitoxic decoction. Infuse 10 g of nettle in a glass of boiling water, drink a tablespoon 3 times a day.

Chemical poisoning develops through direct contact of the skin and mucous membranes with toxic substances, when toxic compounds are ingested through the digestive and respiratory systems. Medicines, pesticides and household chemicals can cause intoxication of the body if handled carelessly. If symptoms of chemical poisoning occur, the victim must receive first aid to avoid severe consequences and death.

Reasons for the development of chemical poisoning

Chemical poisoning develops in the human body due to the ingestion of harmful toxins:

Abuse of drugs or pesticides when irrigating vegetation leads to a chronic form of intoxication. Toxic components gradually accumulate in the body, poisoning cells as the concentration of toxins increases.

General symptoms and manifestations

Regardless of the route of penetration of toxins, chemical poisoning has the same clinical manifestations:

  • nausea, vomiting;
  • pain in abdominal cavity;
  • shortness of breath, pulmonary edema;
  • unnatural dilation and constriction of the pupils, muscle spasms, convulsions;
  • dizziness, headache, increased sweating;
  • pale skin;
  • toxic shock;
  • allergic reactions up to the development of anaphylactic shock;
  • disturbance of consciousness;
  • incorrect operation cardiovascular system(arrhythmia, myocardial infarction).

The symptoms of chemical poisoning depend in part on the absorption of the toxic substance and individual characteristics person.

First aid and treatment

If symptoms of chemical poisoning are detected, emergency assistance is required. The first action is to call the ambulance team. Without professional skills For medical personnel, toxins can cause organ damage and even death. Before the ambulance arrives, it is recommended to carry out pre-medical measures:

  1. Limit or stop the intake of poisons into the body.
  2. Use activated carbon in a ratio of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight.
  3. If toxic fumes are detected, the victim's contact lenses should be removed and washed with a 2% soda solution.

The medical team needs to accurately describe the actions taken. At a medical facility, doctors administer an antidote that can combat the toxin. A toxic substance is diagnosed using general blood and urine tests.

Poisoning by mouth

Intoxication when taken orally is characterized by contact with the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, esophagus, and stomach. When administered orally to victims of alkalis and acids, it is strictly forbidden to rinse the stomach or provoke vomiting. Repeated exposure to toxins increases damage to the mouth and esophagus. During gastric lavage, the diluted substance increases in volume, causing internal bleeding.

When intoxicating the body through the mouth, you must act according to a step-by-step algorithm:

  1. If a poisoned person loses consciousness, he must be placed on a flat surface. The head is turned to the side so that the victim does not choke on vomit. In this position, the tongue will not be able to fall inside, blocking the access of air. If consciousness is present, it is necessary to find out the possible cause of the poisoning.
  2. If poisoning occurs due to the use of drugs, the patient should be given a liter of warm water to drink. After emptying the container, it is necessary to artificially induce vomiting by pressing your fingers on the root of the tongue.
  3. If the substance is unknown, the victim is asked to drink 300–400 ml of water. The liquid will reduce the concentration of poisons, reducing the risk of negative consequences on the gastrointestinal tract.

After providing first aid, it is necessary to continue to monitor the patient’s condition and wait for the ambulance to arrive.

Respiratory poisoning

In case of poisoning by vapors of toxic substances, it is necessary to take the victim to clean air, then follow the algorithm:

  1. The chest is freed from constricting clothing so that nothing interferes with free breathing.
  2. In the absence of consciousness, it is necessary to place the person in a horizontal position on a hard, level surface. Turn the victim's head to the side to avoid blockage of the respiratory tract and esophagus with vomit.
  3. If the poisoned person is conscious, it is recommended to help him take a sitting position.

The patient is asked to drink water.

Skin contact with chemicals

If a toxic component gets on the skin, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse the area of ​​intoxication with low-temperature running water for 15–20 minutes. The skin is cleansed of the remnants of the toxic substance that did not have time to penetrate into the bloodstream by diffusion. Cold water will reduce pain. In case of skin contact, the severity of poisoning and symptoms depend on the toxicity level of the chemical.

Folk remedies and herbs for the treatment of poisoning

Folk remedies are used as an additional measure to remove toxins:

  1. Elecampane is recommended by traditional medicine specialists for liver damage. You need to pour 1 tbsp. l. dry mixture 250 ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for 15 minutes.
  2. In case of poisoning with strontium or cobalt, drink a decoction based on reed flowers and sunflower leaves. For 1 tsp. each collection accounts for 800 ml hot water. The liquid is infused for 20 minutes. Take 100 ml 4 times a day on an empty stomach. Knotweed exhibits a similar effect in relation to toxins.
  3. A tincture of 100 g of cranberry and 200 g of lingonberry berries will help relieve carbon monoxide poisoning. Brew in 300 ml of boiling water and take 50 ml 6 times a day.

Administration of the antidote in a medical facility is mandatory.

Application herbal decoctions This is possible only after consultation with your doctor.

Possible complications

Chemicals increase the risk of severe organ dysfunction and can lead to fatal outcome. Even during the period of treatment and rehabilitation, complications can arise. The type and form of negative consequences depend on the amount of poison ingested and the route of penetration.

After intoxication the following can develop:

  1. Internal bleeding due to damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
  2. Hemolysis of red blood cells (decomposition), leading to anemia and hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of cellular structures.
  3. A sharp decrease in blood pressure.
  4. Arrhythmia, heart failure.
  5. Failure of the central nervous system to the point of coma.
  6. Acute condition with renal and liver failure. Leads to disruption of the water-salt balance of the body.

Intoxication of the body with chemical compounds can lead to disability. The symptoms of poisoning cannot be ignored. The victim must be given first aid and first call doctors.

Prevention of poisoning

It is necessary to comply with the storage conditions and transportation rules for hazardous chemicals. When interacting and using with medications, toxic substances, and household chemicals, you must adhere to the following safety rules:

  1. Keep first aid kits dangerous products(soda, vinegar, alcoholic drinks), cleaning chemicals out of the reach of children.
  2. Do not use toxic substances in areas with access to fire.
  3. Before working in the laboratory and industrial enterprise You must read the instructions and safety precautions.
  4. It is recommended to adhere to healthy eating so as not to expose the body to the risk of food poisoning.
  5. Medications should be taken in accordance with the recommendations of the attending physician.

Preventive measures must be taken to prevent intoxication with toxic compounds. Safety measures are designed to prevent severe conditions that cannot be restored and reduce the risk of death.

For various reasons, poisoning can occur with various chemicals: potent, poisonous, chemically hazardous, toxic and harmful to human health and life.

You need to know certain signs that a person has been poisoned by a toxic substance. Medical assistance will certainly be provided in the hospital for the injured person, if we, of course, call ambulance, but this is not enough to reduce the risk of complications from poisoning.

It is necessary to know and be able to know what to do in the current dangerous situation and how to provide first emergency first aid at home while the ambulance is on its way to the victim.

First aid: what to do

Ammonia poisoning

Ammonia is a gas with a pungent odor, almost twice as heavy as air. Used in industry (for installation of refrigerators, sugar factories, petrochemical and paint factories). Used in the production of fertilizers and explosives. With water or air moisture it forms ammonia. Ammonia enters the body through the respiratory tract or skin. It has an irritating and suffocating effect on the body and disrupts blood clotting. When exposed to humans large doses ammonia causes death quickly.

Symptoms of poisoning

When inhaling ammonia vapors, signs of irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract occur. Their intensity depends on the gas concentration.

Ammonia causes lacrimation, runny nose, frequent sneezing, drooling, facial flushing, sweating, convulsive cough, and chest tightness. Sometimes it can cause laryngospasm and swelling of the vocal folds.

A person exposed to ammonia vapor experiences a feeling of suffocation, anxiety, dizziness, and chest pain. Then vomiting begins. The victim may lose consciousness and develop convulsions. If exposure to vapor continues, severe muscle weakness occurs and signs of respiratory and circulatory disorders appear. Death occurs due to symptoms of cardiovascular failure.

Subsequently, after treatment, various neurological disorders may occur - memory loss, various tics, decreased hearing and pain sensitivity, as well as clouding of the lens and cornea. Ultimately, the victim may lose his sight.

How to survive?

If a person finds himself in an area poisoned by ammonia, he must go down to the basement or to the lower floor of the building (ammonia is lighter than air!). You cannot leave the area by running. You should try to walk at a slow pace, covering your mouth and nose with a scarf, gloves or hat. After leaving the affected area, under no circumstances should you drink alcohol or smoke! When providing assistance to victims, you need to wear a protective suit, boots, gloves, and a gas mask.

First aid

  1. Remove the victim from the affected area as quickly as possible;
  2. oxygen inhalation or fresh air;
  3. rinse your throat, nose and mouth with clean water for 10–15 minutes (preferably with the addition of citric or glutamic acid);
  4. even if ammonia poisoning was mild, the victim must be provided with complete rest for 24 hours;
  5. drip a 0.5% solution of Dicaine into the eyes, close the eyes with a light-protective bandage or wear dark glasses;
  6. if poison gets on the skin, rinse the area of ​​contamination well with water and apply a clean bandage;
  7. if poison gets into the stomach, rinse the stomach;
  8. Hospitalization of all victims is mandatory.

First aid in a hospital setting

  1. Remove the victim from the toxic environment and rinse the affected areas of the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes with plenty of water.
  2. Give warm milk with Borjomi or soda to drink.
  3. Silent mode.
  4. For spasm of the glottis and swelling of the larynx, mustard plasters and a warm compress on the neck are used.
  5. Hot foot baths are also effective.
  6. Inhalation of citric or acetic acid vapors, oil inhalations and inhalations with antibiotics.
  7. Instill a 30% solution of sodium sulfacyl, a 12% solution of Novocaine or a 0.5% solution of Dicaine into the eyes every 2 hours. In the nose - vasoconstrictors (3% solution of Ephedrine).
  8. Orally – codeine (0.015 g), Dionine (0.01 g).
  9. Intravenously or subcutaneously - Morphine, Atropine, for suffocation - tracheotomy.

Poisoning from these drugs is usually very severe and the prognosis is often poor.

Antifreeze poisoning: ethylene glycol

Symptoms And signs in case of antifreeze poisoning the following: the victim feels a slight intoxication, gradually increasing. Euphoria sets in (a feeling of joy, a feeling of freedom and complete happiness), facial hyperemia, an unsteady gait, and fussiness appear.

After some time, the patient begins to feel pain in the epigastric region. Nausea and vomiting appear. After 6–8 hours, the second stage begins – nervous. After strong excitement, drowsiness sets in and consciousness becomes dark. The pupils react sluggishly to light and are dilated. Involuntary urination and defecation. Deep noisy breathing. The amount of urine is reduced. In severe cases, this phase can end in the death of the patient. In milder cases of poisoning, consciousness gradually clears up and the general condition improves.

Treatment almost the same as for alcohol poisoning:

  1. gastric lavage and saline laxative,
  2. combating breathing problems and acidosis with a solution of sodium bicarbonate (soda), which is taken orally or administered intravenously.

Specific to this poisoning is the fight against renal dysfunction. To do this, you should prescribe plenty of fluids, osmotic diuretics or furosemide (0.04–0.12 g orally or 23 ml of a 1% solution into a vein or muscle).

When taking diuretics, the loss of water, potassium, sodium and chlorine from the body should be compensated by the accompanying administration of saline plasma replacement solutions in an amount equal to or slightly greater than diuresis.

To prevent kidney damage from calcium oxalate, it is necessary to prescribe magnesium sulfate intramuscularly, 5 ml of a 25% solution per day.

If there are signs of cerebral edema and meningeal symptoms, a lumbar puncture should be performed.

When ingesting more than 200 ml of poison - hemodialysis on the 1st day after poisoning, peritoneal dialysis. With the development of anuria, the prognosis is extremely unfavorable.

After first aid, hospitalization. In the first days after poisoning, a diet with a sharp limitation in the amount of protein.

Poisoning with belloid, bellaspon, bellataminal

There are three phases of poisoning: phase of depression of consciousness, phase of excitation and comatose phase.

At mild poisoning Symptoms such as stupor, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, skin flushing, and dilated pupils are noted. The patient falls asleep and sleeps for 6–8 hours.

At more severe poisoning The patient becomes drowsy and vomits. He falls asleep within 1–1.5 hours, and sleep can be uninterrupted. During sleep, signs of psychosis appear with hallucinations and attempts to escape. After 2–3 hours, the patient calms down and sleeps for 10–12 hours. At this time, signs such as rapid heartbeat (pulse reaches 120 beats per minute), dry mucous membranes, moderate dilation of the pupils, flushed skin, and slow breathing appear. Blood pressure drops to 80/40.

At severe poisoning The patient is deeply stunned with visual hallucinations, the pupils are dilated, and the skin is hyperemic. Shortness of breath and tachycardia are severe. Blood pressure drops to very low numbers. Body temperature is increased. The patient quickly falls into a comatose state, skin hyperemia is replaced by pallor, tachycardia is replaced by bradycardia (rare heartbeats), body temperature rises to 40 °C, and pulmonary edema develops.

Death occurs from respiratory and cardiovascular failure.

First aid

  1. Rinse the stomach as quickly and thoroughly as possible;
  2. give a saline laxative, cleanse the intestines;
  3. fresh air, if possible - oxygen inhalation;
  4. give a Panangin tablet, if it is available in the first aid kit;
  5. urgently transport the victim to medical institution– remember: delay in providing medical care is dangerous for the life of the victim.

Emergency care in hospital

  1. Gastric lavage.
  2. Forced diuresis.
  3. Hemosorption.
  4. When excited - neuroleptics (2.5% solution of aminazine intramuscularly: up to 1 year - 0.15-0.2 ml, at the age of 1-2 years - 0.25 ml, 3-6 years - 0.4 ml, 7–9 years – 0.5 ml, 10–14 years – 0.6 ml 1–2 times).
  5. If coma develops, the tactics are the same as for barbiturate poisoning: correction of breathing - oxygen therapy, artificial ventilation, drugs that support cardiac activity (0.0.1% solution of Korglykon - 0.1–0.8 ml, 0.05 % solution of Strophanthin – 0.1–0.4 ml).

Berthollet salt poisoning

Used in medicine: for rinsing (2–5% aqueous solution) for stomatitis, sore throat, to prevent the appearance of mercury stomatitis when treated with mercury. Internal use, due to its high toxicity, is irrational. Concomitant oral use is contraindicated potassium iodide and prescribing berthollet salt in powders together with sulfur, coal, organic (tannin, sugar, starch, etc.) substances (during preparation - ignition, explosion).

Main symptoms Poisoning with Berthollet salt includes: nausea, vomiting, icteric discoloration of the skin, pain in the stomach and lumbar region, nosebleeds, blood in the urine, increased heart rate, hiccups.

The temperature rises to high numbers.

In case of severe poisoning - loss of consciousness. Toxic dose – 8-10 g, lethal – 10-30 g.

First aid

  1. Cleanse the stomach with plenty of water;
  2. put an ice compress on your head and let them swallow ice;
  3. if possible, perform bloodletting;
  4. water cold water along the spine:
  5. urgent hospitalization.

First aid in hospital

  1. Give oxygen;
  2. infuse intravenous alkaline saline solution;
  3. inject a significant amount of diuretic solutions orally;
  4. after sufficient dilution of the blood, prescribe a solution of Pilocarpine under the skin to remove the poison with saliva and sweat; for collapse - Camphor.

In case of poisoning with Bertholet salt, the following are contraindicated: sour drinks, alcohol and its preparations.

Nitrogen dioxide or nitrogen trioxide poisoning

Nitrous gases (nitrogen oxide, dioxide, trioxide) are formed when nitric or nitrous acid reacts with metals or organic materials. Lethal dose nitrous gases – 0.005% with exposure for a minute.

After inhaling these gases, the victim develops burns of the upper respiratory tract, swelling of the vocal folds, and pulmonary edema.

The picture of intoxication is the same as for chlorine poisoning.

First aid

In case of poisoning nitrous oxide or nitrous oxide the victim is taken out into the fresh air, given carbogen to inhale, cardiac medications are administered inside, glucose is administered intravenously (20–30 ml of a 40% solution), and, if necessary, bloodletting.

In case of poisoning nitrogen dioxide - the same measures as for nitric oxide poisoning, oxygen therapy, 10% calcium chloride solution intravenously (5 ml). With the “gray” type of anoxemia, bloodletting is contraindicated.

  1. Rinse your eyes, nose and mouth with running water;
  2. If the patient has a severe cough, give him a Codeine tablet or any antitussive drug;
  3. If the heart function is disrupted or there is no breathing, resuscitation measures (external cardiac massage, artificial respiration) are required.

At sodium nitrite poisoning - gastric lavage, Carbogen, drip injection of a 5% glucose solution, under the skin - an isotonic sodium chloride solution, tonics (Camphor, Caffeine, Corazol), for shortness of breath - Lobelin.

After providing first aid, the victim should be hospitalized.

Dichloroethane poisoning

Dichloroethane is widely used as an organic solvent in both industry and agriculture. In everyday life, dichloroethane has become widespread as component adhesives for plastic products.

Dichloroethane poisoning can occur through the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and skin.

In case of poisoning through the mouth, dichloroethane is quickly absorbed in the stomach, and absorption is accelerated if it is taken against the background of alcohol intoxication.

How does the toxic substance dichloroethane affect the liver, central nervous system and heart.

In case of poisoning with this substance, its maximum concentration in the blood is observed after 3–4 hours.

Symptoms: patients complain of nausea, vomiting, excessive salivation, pain throughout the abdomen, diarrhea, headache. There is a sharp excitation of the central nervous system. In the final stage, renal and liver failure, renal coma, shock.

First aid

  1. It is necessary to change the victim’s clothes or undress him, as the poison easily permeates clothes and its vapors can intensify the poisoning. Vapors of a toxic substance can also cause poisoning in those providing assistance. We need to remember this.
  2. Call an ambulance immediately, as delay in providing medical care is deadly.
  3. If the patient is conscious, rinse the stomach with 4–6 liters of warm water. To induce vomiting, it is necessary to give the patient to drink 1-2 liters (more is possible) of water, or iced tea, or coffee, and then irritate the root of the tongue with your finger. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.
  4. Give a laxative or coating substance (jelly, jelly). Vaseline oil (100–150 ml) can be successfully used as a laxative, since it is not absorbed in the intestines and actively binds fat-soluble toxic substances, in particular dichloroethane. You can reduce the absorption of poison in the stomach with the help of coating substances (jelly, jelly).
  5. In case of disruption of the heart and lungs - resuscitation methods - indirect massage heart and artificial respiration.
  6. Hospitalization is required.

Precautions

  1. If the victim is unconscious, the stomach cannot be washed. It is urgent to call an ambulance.
  2. Time has vital importance. The sooner help is started, the greater the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Kerosene poisoning

Ingestion of concentrated kerosene vapors into the respiratory tract and ingestion of 20–50 g of kerosene lead to poisoning. Kerosene has a toxic effect when exposed to a large area of ​​skin. In this case, the central nervous system may be affected.

Signs of poisoning are: severe weakness, pain throughout the abdomen, diarrhea, rare pulse, dilated pupils.

First aid

First of all, you need to call a doctor, place the poisoned person in a place where there is a flow of fresh air to ensure good access of oxygen, and perform artificial respiration.

Treatment

Induce vomiting by any means. Give emetics in large quantities (warm, salted water). After the patient vomits, give a decoction of flaxseed, milk, water with whipped protein, activated carbon 2-3 tablets every hour, starch, salep for oral administration. Place a heating pad on your stomach and change it as it cools down.

To support the cardiovascular system you need to take Camphor, Cordiamine or Caffeine.

The use of adrenaline, emetics and alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited.

To quickly restore all body functions, you should spend more time in the fresh air and adhere to a gentle diet.

For kerosene pneumonia, ACTH is prescribed (forty units every day) and injections ascorbic acid(five percent solution, 10 ml intramuscularly).

Poisoning with strong acids

In everyday life, poisoning most often occurs with sulfuric and hydrochloric (“soldering”) acid.

Then, in terms of the frequency of burns, come hydrochloric, nitric acids and the so-called “regia vodka” - a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids.

When strong acids are taken orally, the victim quickly develops serious condition due to extensive burns of the mucous membrane of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach. This condition is aggravated by the fact that the breakdown products of acids, being absorbed into the blood, poison the body.

Symptoms

The mucous membrane of the lips, mouth, pharynx, back wall of the pharynx is burned, swollen, the burn sites are covered with plaque; a scab of different colors depending on the acid that caused the burn (gray-black for a burn with sulfuric acid, yellow for nitric acid, whitish for hydrochloric acid, light gray or brown for acetic acid).

Often there are burns to the skin of the face near the mouth and neck. There is sharp pain at the burn sites.

Swallowing and even passing liquid food is difficult (sometimes to the point of complete obstruction). The secretion of saliva is sharply increased. Almost always there is painful vomiting of acidic masses mixed with blood. The victim is excited and moaning. Severe pain in the stomach area. Patients quickly experience pain shock. Possible breathing problems (due to swelling of the larynx) and cardiac weakness.

Warning

The minimum lethal doses when taken orally are: for nitric acid – 12 ml; sulfur – 5 ml; hydrochloric acid – 15–20 ml; vinegar – 25 ml; carbolic acid – 4–10 ml; lemon 30 g; sorrel – 5‑15 (30) g.

Urgent Care

Inject subcutaneously 1–2 ml of a 1% solution of morphine (omnopon) and 0.5–1 ml of a 0.1% solution of atropine. Possible early (within the first hour after taking acid) and abundant gastric lavage warm water using a probe, previously well lubricated liquid oil. The admixture of blood in the rinsing waters is not a contraindication to continued rinsing.

Gastric lavage later than 1 hour after taking acid is useless and even dangerous.

If it is impossible to lavage the stomach, you should give water with burnt magnesia (20.0 to 200.0) to drink in separate sips. Prescribe vegetable oil internally in separate sips of 200 g per day, and from the next day - milk, egg whites, cow's butter, mucous decoctions.

To combat acidosis, it is necessary to administer a 4% solution of sodium bicarbonate intravenously or in a drip enema (500-1000-2000 ml). The amount and method of administration of sodium bicarbonate depends on what acids caused the poisoning (inorganic or organic) and what predominates in the clinical picture of the disease - local or general toxic effect.

500‑1000 ml of the mixture is administered intravenously saline solution sodium chloride and 5% glucose solution in equal proportions, 10 ml of 10% solution calcium chloride(or 10 ml of 10% calcium gluconate solution intramuscularly).

In case of poisoning oxalic acid or its salts Calcium chloride must be administered intravenously in large quantities (10 ml of a 10% solution 2-3 times on the first day), since oxalic acid combines with ionized calcium and forms insoluble calcium oxalate. At the same time, diuretics should be prescribed (1–2 ml of Novurit subcutaneously or 1 ml intravenously) to prevent blockage of the renal canals by calcium oxalate crystals.

Poisoning vinegar essence(70–90% acetic acid) has a more pronounced resorptive effect. The absorption of acetic acid into the blood causes a number of toxic manifestations, among which the most important are the rapidly occurring massive hemolysis of red blood cells and hemoglobinuria. The patient’s urine has a high specific gravity, dark red (cherry) or almost black color, contains large number protein, broken red blood cells and clumps of hemoglobin. The latter clog (block) the renal tubules, causing so-called excretory hemoglobinuric nephrosis with a typical clinical picture of acute renal failure (oliguria, anuria, hypertension, increased residual blood nitrogen, hyperkalemia). Hemolysis of red blood cells is accompanied by bilirubinemia (increased indirect bilirubin), moderate jaundice and anemia.

Blood viscosity increases, creating favorable conditions for intravascular thrombus formation and hemodynamic disturbances.

Resorption of acetic acid causes severe acidosis and a decrease in alkaline blood reserves. Acidosis and hemolysis of erythrocytes largely determine the severity of the course and greater mortality in the first 2 days after poisoning.

Emergency care for poisoning with vinegar essence

The main emergency measures for poisoning with vinegar essence are intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate. This achieves restoration of normal acid-base balance, alkalinization of urine blood and prevents blockage of the renal tubules, since in alkaline urine hemoglobin is not deposited in the renal tubules and is easily excreted from the body. First, at least 2000 ml of a 4% sodium bicarbonate solution, 500 ml of a glucose-novocaine mixture (5% glucose solution and 0.25% novocaine solution in equal quantities) and 500‑1000 ml saline solution liquids I.R. Petrov containing electrolytes (1.5% sodium chloride, 0.02% potassium chloride, 0.01% calcium chloride). To enhance diuresis, 150–200 ml of a 30% urea solution is administered intravenously (at a rate of 60–80 drops per minute); in its absence, 1 ml of Novurit is administered intravenously (or 1–2 ml subcutaneously). It is very important to introduce sodium bicarbonate as early as possible.

In the first hours (days) of the disease, when the clinical picture may be dominated by shock and collapse, and in order to prevent them, 15-30 mg of Prednisolone or 100-150 mg of Cortisone should be administered intramuscularly or intravenously (depending on the severity of the patient’s condition). (hydrocortisone). 0.5–1 ml of a 3% solution of Prednisolone or 4–6 ml of microcrystalline hydrocortisone in 150–200 ml of saline is administered intravenously at a rate of 20–30 drops per minute.

With the development of acute renal failure, hemodialysis using a machine can have a good effect. artificial kidney" The remaining measures are the same as for poisoning with other strong acids.

Note: in case of phenol and carbolic acid poisoning, the patient should not be given fats and milk!

In case of acid poisoning, do not give emetics!

In all cases of acid poisoning cardiovasotonic drugs are administered (Cordiamin, Caffeine, Camphor, for hypotension - Mezaton), oxygen inhalations are used, and for shock and collapse - a set of appropriate measures. Antibiotics are administered to prevent infection. For swelling of the larynx, the patient can be prescribed inhalation of aerosols containing alkalis, Ephedrine, Novocaine and Penicillin (1 ml of a 5% solution of Ephedrine, 3 ml of a 1% solution of Novocaine, in which 300,000 units of Penicillin are dissolved, 3 ml of a 5% solution sodium bicarbonate).

In case of asphyxia, immediate tracheotomy is resorted to, and in cases of gastric perforation, surgical intervention is used.

Manganese poisoning

When potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) gets on the mucous membranes, a chemical burn of tissue occurs and the content of manganese and potassium in the blood increases.

Symptoms

In case of poisoning through the gastrointestinal tract, patients complain of increased salivation, pain in the epigastric region, vomiting streaked with blood, and diarrhea. Changes in the nervous system are observed: psychomotor agitation and convulsions may occur. On the skin of the face in the area of ​​the mouth and lips, you can notice pinpoint burns from manganese crystals. The mucous membranes of the oral cavity, gums, pharynx and pharynx are brown-violet in color with bleeding erosions and swollen. In case of severe poisoning, victims may develop swelling of the larynx (from a burn), laryngospasm, and respiratory failure.

Death from manganese poisoning can occur from shock, mechanical asphyxia, or primary gastrointestinal bleeding.

Urgent Care

  1. Give the patient a large amount of warm water with activated carbon, induce vomiting;
  2. It is very effective to rinse the stomach with 1% ascorbic acid or a mixture next line-up: add 100 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 200 ml of 3% acetic acid to 2 liters of water:
  3. after gastric lavage, give the patient a 0.5% solution of ascorbic acid and a 0.5% solution of novocaine to drink;
  4. open doors and windows to provide the victim with access to fresh air;
  5. give something painkiller;
  6. if possible, inject subcutaneously a 0.5–0.1% solution of Atropine;
  7. treat the oral cavity and the skin around the mouth with a swab moistened with a 1% solution of ascorbic acid (ascorbic acid, when reacting with manganese, forms non-toxic compounds, which are then easily removed from the body);
  8. in the absence of ascorbic acid, manganese crystals can be removed from tissues with a napkin moistened with a mixture of water, 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide and 3% acetic acid (all taken in a ratio of 1:1:1);
  9. be sure to call a doctor at home or take the patient to medical institution.

Copper sulfate poisoning - copper

Copper sulfate acts locally, irritates and cauterizes mucous membranes. It is a strong hemolytic poison.

Copper poisoning It's almost never intentional.

It usually happens when cooking jam or various dishes in copper or poorly tinned containers.

Main symptoms Copper poisoning results in nausea, vomiting of green matter, a metallic taste in the mouth, abdominal pain, frequent loose stools mixed with blood, dizziness, and weakness. In very severe cases there is a strong stomach bleeding, renal failure, shock may develop.

Treatment

  1. Mandatory gastric lavage with plenty of water;
  2. induce vomiting;
  3. The antidote for copper sulfate poisoning is yellow blood salt. If available, give 1 tablespoon of a 0.1% solution orally;

In case of copper sulfate poisoning, do not give the victim oily or acidic foods!

  1. Traditional medicine advises, in case of copper sulfate poisoning, to give sugar syrup with burnt magnesia and skim milk with egg white;
  2. Activated carbon has a good effect (3-4 tablets every 20-30 minutes).

Poisoning with ammonia, alkalis, caustic soda, washing soda, potash

The most common alkalis in everyday life include caustic soda and ammonia.

Poisoning can occur when these substances are ingested or used incorrectly. Possible alkaline poisoning if solutions are swallowed baking soda when gargling by children or when improper treatment peptic ulcer and gastritis with alkaline drugs. Caustic alkaline substances have a strong cauterizing effect on body tissues. Ammonia also has an irritating effect.

Burns with alkalis differ from burns with acids in the greater depth of the damage. At the site of contact of the skin or mucous membrane with alkali, ulcerations are formed, covered with a scab.

Symptoms

Poisoning is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  1. strong thirst
  2. drooling,
  3. bloody vomiting.

The development of painful shock is characteristic.

Signs of poisoning: burning pain in the mouth, pharynx, esophagus; choking, vomiting, often with blood, thirst, bloating, cold skin.

In case of ammonia poisoning: sneezing, coughing, drooling and after 30 minutes diarrhea, and soon with blood; loss of consciousness, convulsions.

In case of alkali poisoning, all vital organs are affected, internal bleeding develops, which is associated with deep injury to the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to inflammation in the abdominal cavity and death. In case of poisoning with ammonia, depression occurs respiratory center, the development of pulmonary and cerebral edema is observed.

First aid

If alkali gets into your eyes, you must immediately rinse them under running water and drip a 2% Novocaine solution. If caustic alkaline solutions come into contact with your skin, you should also rinse the affected area under running water.

In case of superficial burns, a 2% solution of citric acid can be used to neutralize alkalis and ammonia.

When taking alkalis orally, you need to rinse your stomach through a thick rubber tube.

First aid to the victim:

  1. give milk or any diluted vegetable acid to drink (lemon, vinegar, crushed gooseberries, cranberries);
  2. Give vegetable oil and milk every 15 minutes.

Do not give the victim salts, soda, or emetics!

Nicotine – tobacco poisoning

The tobacco plant contains a strong poison - nicotine, under the influence of which the blood flow in the capillaries slows down.

Vessels contract during smoking and for almost half an hour after it. Therefore, a person who smokes a cigarette every 30 minutes keeps his blood vessels in a constant spasmodic state.

In addition, by irritating the adrenal glands, nicotine causes them to secrete increased amount adrenaline, which leads to additional vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure. Constant spasm of blood vessels leads to changes in their walls and ultimately to angina.

Nicotine, like coffee or tea, is a “whip” for the heart, which, in order to restore normal blood supply to organs, must make 10–15 thousand more contractions per day. The heart quickly wears out, life is shortened.

Constant smoking, especially in the morning, leads to the development of gastric and duodenal ulcers, and to progressive deterioration of hearing and vision. Most chronic lung diseases are caused by nicotine.

Acute nicotine poisoning is quite rare. This happens in cases when a child gets his hands on cigarettes for the first time and smokes “to his capacity” or non-smoker finds himself in a very smoky room.

First aid for nicotine poisoning

First aid consists of:

  • it is necessary to take the person out into the fresh air, unbutton his clothes, and give him access to oxygen;
  • every 15 minutes the patient should be given ammonia-anise drops (15–20 drops per dose) or tannin solution (1 tablespoon).

Fish poisoning

Fish poisoning occurs after eating fish tissues and organs containing poison.

The clinical picture of the disease depends on the type of fish and the conditions in which the poisoning occurred.

There are two main forms of poisoning: cholera-like and paralytic.

At cholera-like form poisoning, the patient experiences nausea, pain in the stomach and throughout the abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, thirst, urinary retention, and convulsions.

At paralytic form Symptoms of damage to the central nervous system come first. IN initial stage Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, and thirst are observed. As the symptoms increase, dry skin, decreased temperature, and convulsions are observed, usually ending in partial or complete paralysis.

When the first symptoms of poisoning appear (usually after three to four hours), you should seek help from a medical facility.

Treatment

For successful treatment:

  1. before the doctor arrives, it is necessary to rinse the stomach as quickly as possible and with as much water as possible;
  2. give a laxative (two tablespoons castor oil);
  3. do a deep enema with two tablespoons of castor oil or freshly prepared strong infusion of chamomile;
  4. useful warm baths and general warming;
  5. every half hour the patient should be given a hot drink, strong tea, coffee, hot wine, compote and other drinks;
  6. rub the body with a cloth soaked in vinegar or vodka;
  7. Traditional medicine advises using reed in case of fish poisoning; to do this, the reed rhizome is thoroughly crushed, and the patient is given 4–6 tablespoons of the mixture orally for 5–6 hours.

Poisoning by mercury and its compounds: sublimate, calomel, granosan

Poisoning with mercury compounds is characterized by both local irritant and general toxic effects.

Local signs of poisoning: severe drooling, coloring of the lips, mouth and throat with a copper-red color, metallic taste in the mouth, bleeding gums, later - a dark border of mercury sulfite on the gums.

Common signs: vomiting blood, severe pain and pain in the stomach and intestines, fever, lack of urine, bloody diarrhea, pain in joints and bones, cramps.

First aid

  1. Induce vomiting (ipecac, emetic root, drinking large amounts of water and then inducing vomiting);
  2. drinking large amounts of milk with protein (in case of severe poisoning, shake 15–20 egg whites in two glasses of milk or water and drink immediately;
  3. after half an hour, drink the same portion (the procedure will cause vomiting and cleanse the stomach well);

Note: in case of poisoning with mercury and its compounds, the patient should never be given salt (including Epsom salt).

  1. every five minutes the patient should be given alkali, lime water, chalk, soda, magnesia;
  2. in the absence of alkalis, give fresh or fresh milk;
  3. Taking fine charcoal powder in oatmeal broth often has a good effect. Give one tablespoon after an hour.

Treatment in case of intoxication with mercury and its compounds should be complex, differentiated, taking into account the severity of the pathological process.

  1. at acute poisoning– immediate hospitalization;
  2. in case of chronic intoxication – inpatient treatment, in the initial stage - outpatient or sanatorium treatment. In case of occupational poisoning - transfer to another job.

Essential medicines:

  1. unithiol
  2. taurine
  3. methionine
  4. DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid, succimer, chemet).

Poisoning with compounds of heavy metals and arsenic

Poisoning with compounds of heavy metals and arsenic has been known since ancient times. In the Middle Ages, sublimate and arsenic were the most common inorganic poisons that were used for criminal purposes, both in politics and in everyday life.

Mortality from poisoning with compounds of heavy metals and arsenic, which previously reached 85%, has now decreased significantly and amounts to 20–25% of all poisoned people.

The lethal dose of soluble compounds of mercury is 0.5 g, calomel – 1–2 g, copper sulfate – 10 g, arsenic – 0.1–0.2 g.

Organic and inorganic compounds of heavy metals and arsenic are used in many industries as raw materials or by-products, and are used in agriculture as herbicides and insecticides (granosan, etc.). Arsenic and some heavy metals are found in various medications.

The clinical picture of poisoning with compounds of heavy metals and arsenic is varied and depends on many reasons: the state of the victim’s body, the dose taken, the type of poison, etc., but in any case, the gastrointestinal tract is primarily affected. Patients develop a metallic taste in the mouth, pain when swallowing, along the esophagus, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, diarrhea occurs and gastrointestinal bleeding occurs.

Taking large doses of arsenic leads to severe damage to the central nervous system: general convulsions, a state of stupor (severe stupor), collapse, and coma appear.

First aid

Remove toxic products from the stomach. Induce vomiting (ipecac, root emetic, warm salted water in large quantities, etc.)

In case of poisoning with arsenic and heavy metal compounds, the patient should not be given any acidic drinks or ammonia!

  1. Every five minutes, give the patient 1 teaspoon of burnt magnesia (to obtain a solution, one and a half tablespoons of magnesia are dissolved in 200 ml of water).
  2. If there is a special “arsenic antidote” available, which is often found in special first-aid kits, then give it to the patient 1 tablespoon every five minutes;
  3. rinse the intestines. Make a deep enema of clean water;
  4. constantly warm the patient.

This site has a separate page dedicated to a children's first aid kit.
Traditional medicine advises taking cow's milk, cow's butter, wood butter, vegetable fat, charcoal powder.

A specialized remedy for herbalists and healers for poisoning with arsenic and heavy metal salts - lobia seed juice.

The juice is squeezed from fresh seeds and the patient is given 2-3 tablespoons to drink. It is advisable to drink the juice three to four times a day. Fast for 2-3 days. You can drink tea with mint or St. John's wort.

Help and antidotes for arsenic poisoning: taking aqueous solutions of sodium thiosulfate, gastric lavage, taking milk and cottage cheese; specific antidote – unithiol.

Poisoning by sulfur compounds: sulfur dioxide, sulfur dioxide

Sulfur compounds are used in refrigeration units, in the food, leather and pulp industries. At home, they are used as disinfectants, bleaches and preservatives.

Sulfur dioxide has a strong irritant effect, since upon contact with water it forms sulfuric and sulfurous acids. The gas will enter the body through the respiratory tract.

Symptoms of sulfur dioxide poisoning are the same as for chlorine poisoning - lacrimation and drooling, irritation and pain in the eyes, shortness of breath and suffocation, convulsive cough, nausea, vomiting.

First aid

  1. Take the patient to fresh air;
  2. unbutton clothes, provide oxygen flow;
  3. put wet towel on the forehead and back of the head;
  4. call a doctor.

First aid

  1. In case of contact with skin or mucous membranes, rinse with running water.
  2. If ingested, lavage the stomach through a tube.
  3. Antidote therapy.
  4. Forced diuresis.
  5. Oxygen therapy, hyperbaric oxygenation.
  6. Symptomatic therapy.
  7. Specific (antidote) therapy for hydrogen sulfide poisoning.
  8. Amyl nitrite - inhalation 0.2 ml for 30 seconds every minute.
  9. Sodium thiosulfate is contraindicated.
  10. Hospitalization to a poison control center.

Symptomatic drug therapy

  1. For convulsions - diazepam 10 mg IV.
  2. Drugs that improve metabolism and blood supply to the brain and peripheral nervous system (for example, Pyridoxine, Pyritinol).
  3. For an uncontrollable cough - Codeine orally.
  4. Bronchodilators.
  5. Corticosteroids (Prednisolone 2–5 mg/kg IV).
  6. For hydrogen sulfide poisoning - 10 ml of 10% calcium chloride or calcium gluconate solution intravenously.
  7. Antibiotics.

In case of carbon disulfide poisoning, encephalopolyneuritis is formed after emerging from a coma. In case of functional disorders of the central nervous system, even at the initial stage, it is necessary to transfer to work that excludes contact with carbon disulfide. In severe forms, work capacity is persistently reduced.

Poisoning with vinegar essence

When taken orally vinegar essence by mistake or for the purpose of poisoning, a burning pain occurs in the throat and stomach. The patient is tossing about in pain. Appears severe vomiting, often mixed with blood, severe thirst, diarrhea, swelling of the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx. Painful shock sets in quickly. A severe burn of the mucous membranes occurs. Severe pain makes it impossible to swallow even liquids. During inhalation, saliva along with air entering the respiratory tract can cause suffocation. Therefore, saliva is urgently removed with a gauze swab wrapped around a finger. Since drooling is usually severe, saliva should be removed constantly. In case of suffocation and cardiac dysfunction, the victim is given artificial respiration.

First aid

In case of poisoning, first of all, you need to repeatedly, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water. It is important not to swallow water!

Then - gastric lavage through a tube.

In case of poisoning with “cauterizing” poisons, under no circumstances should you rinse the stomach by inducing vomiting! The stomach is washed only through a tube, to clean rinsing water (8-10 liters of cold water).

Before insertion, the probe is generously lubricated with petroleum jelly. If sulfuric acid was used as a cauterizing poison, it is prohibited to rinse with water. This may lead to chemical burn thermal will be added!

Even if there is an admixture of blood in the rinsing waters, rinsing should still be continued. In the first hours of acetic acid poisoning, there is usually no damage to the large vessels of the stomach.

This can lead to mechanical damage to the stomach as a result of excessive gas formation.

The optimal solution for neutralizing acetic acid in the stomach is Almagel.

If possible, before washing, the patient should be given an intramuscular or intravenous solution of an anesthetic drug.

In the absence of medications and/or in the absence of skills in inserting a probe, or, worse, in the absence of the probe itself, before the ambulance team arrives, the victim should be given ice cubes with smooth edges to swallow and a few sips of sunflower oil or, better yet, Almagel.

Burnt magnesia should be given internally (1 tablespoon per glass of water), whipped egg white, activated carbon, water, milk, mucous decoctions of rice and flaxseed, lime water, decoctions of flaxseed, rice, barley. Ice compresses on the neck and stomach. Drink cold water. Hospitalization of the patient is mandatory.

Poisoning with organophosphorus compounds: insecticides

Organophosphorus compounds are widely used in agriculture as insecticides and herbicides for the treatment of grain and leguminous crops, vineyards and orchards.

These include drugs such as thiophos, karbofos, chlorophos, etc. Poisoning occurs when these substances come into contact with the skin, respiratory tract and stomach.

There are three stages in organophosphorus poisoning.

IN first stage the patient is excited, complains of chest tightness, dizziness, nausea, and decreased vision. Violations appear mental sphere– the patient becomes aggressive, often refuses treatment, and is haunted by a feeling of fear.

As the toxic substance is absorbed into the blood, the patient experiences sweating, salivation, vomiting, increased blood pressure, and increased heart rate. Cutting pains appear in the stomach area.

On second stage poisoning, convulsions appear, the patient is lethargic, the pupils are constricted, salivation and sweating increase, often the patient falls into a coma, convulsive twitching of individual muscle groups appears, and the blood pressure, diarrhea increases, urination increases.

Third stage– stage of paralysis. The patient is in a coma. The activity of the heart, respiratory center, and nervous system is sharply disrupted.

First aid

The main thing in treatment is the removal of the toxic substance from the body;

  1. In case of poisoning through the mouth, the stomach should be rinsed as soon as possible. The stomach is washed 3-4 times with 5-6 liters of water;
  2. Vaseline oil 100–200 ml, a decoction of flaxseed or hemp seed, a decoction of starch, almond milk are given orally;
  3. saline laxative (magnesium sulfate – 50 g);
  4. instead of the usual emetic, the patient is given 5–7 grains of copper sulfate in a decoction of flaxseed;
  5. as an antidote, give 1 tablespoon of burnt magnesia with water several times (in the absence of magnesia, you can give 5-10 drops of purified turpentine with an equal number of Hoffmann drops;
  6. in case of phosphorus poisoning, the patient should be given as much as possible egg white, mixed with water;
  7. cleansing enema of warm water with the addition of a small amount of glycerin;
  8. in case of respiratory and cardiac arrest - indirect cardiac massage and artificial respiration.
  9. If organophosphorus substances come into contact with the skin, wash the affected areas with soap and water, a 2% soda solution, and treat with chloramine or ammonia.
  10. remove clothing contaminated with poison.
  11. If FOS gets into the eyes, wash them with a 1% soda solution or clean water.

Medical assistance

  1. Lavage of the stomach through a tube with a solution of potassium permanganate (1:5000), after rinsing - injection of petroleum jelly into the stomach (100 ml twice).
  2. Symptomatic therapy.
  3. Hemodialysis.
  4. Surgical – excision of necrotic bone mass, removal of sequesters.

In case of contact with eyes, rinse.

Chlorine, phosgene and fluorine poisoning

When exposed to humans low chlorine concentrations redness of the conjunctiva occurs, soft palate and pharynx, shortness of breath, hoarseness, and a feeling of tightness in the chest appear.

IN high concentration of chlorine causes difficulty breathing, painful shortness of breath, drooling, pain in the eyes, dry cough, lacrimation. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. The patient is agitated or very depressed. Soon - usually 15-20 minutes after contact with the poison - all symptoms disappear. A period of imaginary well-being begins, which lasts from half an hour to 36 hours. The duration of the latent period is important for diagnosing the severity of poisoning - the shorter the latent period, the stronger the poisoning. During the latent period, the general condition of the victim improves. Then, as this period ends, signs of toxic pulmonary edema come to the fore, the first precursors of which are: dry cough, shortness of breath, tightness and pain in the chest, general weakness, weakness, dizziness and headache. Gradually, the cough becomes stronger and more painful, chest pain intensifies, and breathing becomes more difficult. The skin and mucous membranes become blue, and breathing becomes shallow. Chills begin and the cough gets worse. A large amount of sputum begins to be released (up to 1.5 liters per day). The victim is excited and rushing about. He is tormented by fear and hopelessness. The face is bluish-red. Blood pressure drops more and more, collapse develops and the patient dies from paralysis of the respiratory center.

The clinical picture of phosgene and fluorine poisoning is similar.

In high concentrations, chlorine, phosgene and fluorine can lead to lightning death in a poisoned person.

After a short breath, the victim begins to choke, thrashes, tries to run, but loses consciousness, falls, his face turns blue, his pulse becomes thread-like. A reflexive cessation of breathing occurs.

First aid

  1. remove or remove the victim from the affected area;
  2. provide him with a flow of fresh air (unbutton outerwear, open windows, doors);
  3. When providing assistance to the victim, try not to poison yourself and use personal protective measures (protective suit, gloves, gas mask, rubber boots);
  4. you need to keep in mind that if poisoning occurs in a building, then in case of ammonia poisoning, you need to go down to the first floor or to the basement (ammonia is much lighter than air and its vapors rise upward); in case of poisoning with chlorine, phosgene, sulfur dioxide, fluorine - go upstairs, to the fifth floor and above;
  5. provide all victims with complete physical rest;
  6. rinse your eyes, mouth and nose with a 2% soda solution or clean water for 10 minutes;
  7. if the poison is swallowed, rinse the stomach;
  8. all victims must be hospitalized.

It is also necessary to carry out the following activities:

  1. instilling Vaseline or olive oil into the eyes, and for pain in the eyes - 2-3 drops of 0.5% Dicaine solution;
  2. applying eye ointment to prevent infection (0.5% syntomycin, 10% sulfacil) or 2-3 drops of 30% Albucid, 0.1% zinc sulfate solution and 1% boric acid solution – 2 times a day;
  3. administration of Hydrocortisone 125 mg IM, Prednisolone 60 mg IV or IM.

Medical assistance

Regardless of the degree of injury, all victims must be provided with maximum rest and warming, brought to a sitting or semi-sitting position.

Inhalation of bronchodilators (Salbutamol, etc.), warm milk with Borjomi or baking soda, inhalation of a sprayed 1-2% solution of sodium hyposulfite for 1-2 days or 2% solution of baking soda 2-3 times are indicated. 10–15 minutes, inhalation of a 10% solution of menthol in chloroform, use of non-narcotic anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen), intravenous ascorbic acid 5%. Solution, 50 ml (3 g of the drug can be taken orally), expectorants (Bromhexine, etc.). For difficulty breathing - Teofedrine, Eufillin, inhalations of Solutan 2-3 times a day or Salbutamol, warm soda or water inhalations. For spasm of the glottis, apply heat to the neck area and administer 0.1–1.0% Atropine subcutaneously. For cough - codeine 0.015 g, 1 tablet 3 times a day.

For bronchospasm - administration of a 10% solution of calcium chloride, 5 - 10 ml intravenously, oxygen therapy. Antibiotics are used to prevent secondary infection wide range actions (Ampicillin, Gentamicin, etc.). For persistent bronchospasm, no effect from previous treatment - Atropine 0.1–1.0% intramuscularly, Prednisolone 30–60 mg intravenously, Orciprenaline 0.5% intramuscularly, tracheostomy.

If clinical manifestations If chlorine poisoning suggests moderate or even more severe damage, then medical observation is carried out throughout the day in order to timely detect signs of incipient pulmonary edema. During this period, fluid intake is limited, food intake is prohibited, and strict bed rest is indicated. X-ray examinations of the lungs are performed every 2–3 hours.

In the latent period, all measures are aimed at preventing pulmonary edema and stopping early signs of respiratory failure. Among these measures highest value given to oxygen therapy, IVA, hydration of the trachea and bronchi, correction of obstructive processes (bronchodilators, mucolytics, expectorants, toilet bronchial tree, aspiration of edematous fluid, massage). Correction of cardiovascular activity, anti-inflammatory therapy and prevention of infectious complications continue.

Oxygen therapy begins when the first signs of hypoxemia appear in order to reduce hyperfunction of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It allows you to normalize or reduce respiratory rate, tachycardia, lower blood pressure, and reduce pathological symptoms of the central nervous system. However, traditional oxygen therapy is effective only in the initial period.

ADRENALINE IS CONTRAINDICATED, WHICH IN LARGE DOSES CAN CAUSE PULMONARY EDEMA.

To prevent intravascular thrombus formation, anticoagulants (anticoagulants) are used, and measures are taken to normalize blood viscosity (administration of hypertonic or isotonic glucose solutions).

For the treatment and prevention of pneumonia, bacteriostatic drugs (antibiotics, sulfonamides), expectorants are used, cups and mustard plasters are prescribed.

Those recovering should do breathing exercises.

Alkali poisoning

The main strong alkalis are: caustic soda (caustic soda) and caustic potassium (potassium oxide hydrate). Poisoning with alkalis leads to deeper local tissue damage than with acids.

When alkali gets into the gastrointestinal tract, severe pain is observed in the mouth, esophagus and stomach. Painful vomiting almost always occurs, often mixed with blood. A burn to the oral mucosa causes profuse salivation, and the sharp pain makes it impossible to swallow. Therefore, just as with acid poisoning, saliva should, if possible, be removed using a gauze swab wrapped around a finger.

In case of poisoning with concentrated alkalis, it is necessary to urgently rinse the stomach with a large amount of warm water (up to 1 l) or a 1% solution of acetic or citric acid. It is advisable to do rinsing in the first hours after poisoning. To neutralize the alkali, the patient is given lemon juice, a solution of citric acid, enveloping agents. Give the patient something to drink every 5–10 minutes (1 tablespoon).

If alkali gets on the skin or mucous membranes, it must be immediately wiped off with a piece of cloth, and then washed off with plenty of water and vinegar or lemon juice. For rinsing, you can use a 1% solution of any acid that is on hand.

If a person accidentally falls into a bathtub or pit with lime, he must be pulled out of there as quickly as possible, doused with water from a hose and placed in a bathtub with warm water. Water should be replaced as it becomes dirty. In the future - treatment, as for chemical burns.

Symptoms of poisoning with strong alkalis similar to symptoms of poisoning with strong acids. The mechanism of action is similar - cauterization (necrosis, protein coagulation, scab formation). The cauterizing effect of alkalis is more pronounced than that of acids, and is characterized by the formation of a loose, spreading deep scab and significant ulcerations, and subsequently more severe cicatricial narrowing of the esophagus and stomach. The resorptive effect of alkalis is less pronounced.

The minimum lethal dose when taken orally is 5 g for sodium and potassium hydroxide, and 3-4 (10) ml for ammonia.

Emergency care is the same, with the exception of intravenous sodium bicarbonate and the use of diuretics. When washing the stomach, it is recommended to slightly acidify the water with acetic acid. If it is impossible to rinse the stomach, a 1% solution of citric, tartaric or acetic acid is prescribed orally (each

5 - 10 minutes for an hour per tablespoon). Swallow pieces of fine ice.

Ethylene glycol poisoning: methynol

Ethylene glycol is a compound with an alcohol-fusel odor, which is part of antifreeze, antifreeze, brake fluid and some antistatic agents.

Once ingested, it is quickly absorbed in the stomach and small intestine. It is excreted by the kidneys unchanged or in the form of oxalates. When oxidized in the liver, ethylene glycol forms toxic products that cause poisoning of the body. The toxicogenic stage lasts up to 5 days. Lethal dose 100–150 ml.

Symptoms

A person who has taken ethylene glycol develops signs of lung intoxication while feeling well. Sometimes there is vomiting and diarrhea. After 10–12 hours of the latent period, headache, dizziness, thirst, nausea, vomiting, severe pain in the abdomen and lower back (type renal colic) and muscles. The skin becomes dry, hyperemic, the mucous membranes are bluish-pale. Vision deteriorates. The pupils are dilated. Shortness of breath occurs, breathing is noisy and rare. The number of heartbeats increases sharply, blood pressure drops. Clonic convulsions appear.

Death can occur in the first days after poisoning from paralysis of the respiratory center.

First aid

  1. Gastric lavage and drinking plenty of fluids. The following mixture should be added to the washing water as an adsorbent: tannin - 1 part, activated carbon - 2 parts, burnt magnesia - 1 part. If all components are missing, you can use each of them separately. You can use a 2% solution of sodium bicarbonate (soda), followed by ingestion of 30 g of magnesium sulfate in 100 ml of water. Orally – 200 ml of a 30% solution of ethyl alcohol or vodka (if there is a history of poison ingestion), 3–5 g of sodium bicarbonate in 100 ml of water;
  2. give the victim 2-3 egg whites, kefir, milk or jelly 2-3 glasses;
  3. give the victim a laxative;
  4. after first aid - hospitalization.

Medical emergency care in a medical institution

If consciousness is preserved - gastric lavage through a thick tube with a 2% solution of sodium bicarbonate, followed by the introduction of 30 g of magnesium sulfate in 200 ml of water (if not previously administered) and 3-5 g of sodium bicarbonate in 100 ml of water, siphon enema.

Orally or intravenously ethyl alcohol according to the intravenous scheme: 10–20 ml of a 10% solution of calcium chloride (gluconate).

Intravenous 400 ml of 5% glucose solution with 5-10 ml of 5% ascorbic acid solution and 8 units of insulin, glucose-novocaine mixture (400 ml of 5% glucose solution with 25 ml of 2% novocaine solution), 400 ml of polyglucin, 400 ml of hemodez, 10 ml of 2.4% solution of aminophylline, 80-120 mg of furosemide (Lasix), 50-100 mg of prednisolone or 100-200 mg of hydrocortisone.

Intramuscularly, 2–4 ml of a 6% solution of thiamine bromide and a 5% solution of pyridoxine hydrochloride (do not administer in the same syringe).

If cerebral edema or coma develops, place an ice pack on the head, intravenously 40 ml of a 40% glucose solution with 4–6 ml of a 5% ascorbic acid solution and 8 units of insulin, 50 ml of a 30% sodium thiosulfate solution, 10 ml of 2.4% solution of aminophylline, up to 300–500 mg of furosemide (Lasix) taking into account the previously administered dose, 50–100 mg of prednisolone or 100–200 mg of hydrocortisone, 2–4 ml of 6% solution of thiamine bromide and 2–4 ml of a 5% solution of pyridoxine hydrochloride, if not administered (do not administer in one syringe!), oxygen inhalation. Cupping psychomotor agitation intramuscular injection 10 ml of 25% magnesium sulfate solution. Craniocerebral hypothermia, spinal puncture and extraction of 10–15 ml of cerebrospinal fluid, dehydration therapy, aminophylline, plasma, albumin, piracetam, steroid hormones, cytochrome C, sodium hydroxybutyrate, tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, oxygen inhalation.

Repeated (2-3 times a day) gastric lavage and intestinal lavage (preferably through a permanent two-way tube). Antidote therapy with ethyl alcohol (at the rate of 1.5–2 g/kg body weight per day) and calcium gluconate (chloride) for the first 2–3 days. Forcing diuresis with simultaneous administration of a 4% solution of sodium bicarbonate in volume.

In case of increasing hepatic-renal failure - infusion therapy (including from 1 to 3 ml/day trans-umbilical), plasma alkalization, intravenous glucose-novocaine mixture, aminophylline, osmotic diuretics (mannitol at the rate of 1-1.5 g/kg body weight body) in combination with furosemide (Lasix), lipoic and glutamic acid, complex of vitamins B and C, cytochrome C, hemosorption in combination with program hemodialysis.

Evacuation to a medical institution (hospital) with the ability to perform hemodialysis, ambulance transport, in a lying position on a stretcher (in case of coma - in the main lateral position with a breathing tube inserted), accompanied by a doctor. Along the route, continue infusion therapy, if necessary - administration of ethyl alcohol, calcium gluconate (chloride), furosemide (Lasix), anticonvulsants (magnesium sulfate, phenazepam), oxygen inhalation.

Chemical poisoning is a complex negative manifestations, caused by the penetration of toxic substances into the human body. Intoxication can manifest itself abruptly and be accompanied by a rapid deterioration in well-being, or it can proceed sluggishly and go unnoticed for years. The process depends on the type, amount of poison and the route of its entry into the body.

There are acute and chronic poisoning by chemicals. The following can act as poison:

  1. Medicines.
  2. Pesticides.
  3. Household and auto chemical goods.
  4. Solvents.
  5. Reagents used in laboratories.
  6. Chemical elements used in production.

Toxins can enter the body through the respiratory tract or digestive tract. Cases of penetration of poisons through the skin or mucous membranes have been observed. Poisoning may be caused by an anthropogenic factor.

Adults are exposed to poisoning due to non-compliance with safety rules or in the event of industrial accidents. Children become victims of exposure to chemicals due to the negligence of adults.

ICD 10 code – X40-X49 (accidental poisoning with toxic substances), T36-T50 (poisoning with drugs and biological substances).

Features of intoxication at home and at work

Damage to the body from toxic chemicals can occur in the workplace and at home.

Occupational intoxication is observed among workers of manufacturing enterprises whose activities are associated with chemical compounds and decomposition products during biochemical reactions. Unless we are talking about an industrial accident, poisoning is chronic and manifests itself with a characteristic clinical picture when the toxin accumulates and reaches a critical concentration in the body.

Poisoning by pesticides occurs in people whose profession is associated with the production, packaging, and transportation of substances used to control pests and weeds. Pesticide intoxication is a common occurrence among agricultural workers.

On manufacturing enterprises toxins can accumulate in human blood and tissues for decades and manifest mild symptoms. Chronic poisoning can be fully known by late stages diseases.

The peculiarity of some toxic substances is their negative impact on several body systems. Toxic substances include:

  • neurotropic chemical elements and their compounds (affect the nervous system: compounds of manganese and carbon disulfide, carbon monoxide, mercury, phosphate, lead, benzene, arsenic);
  • hepatotropes (cause negative impact to the liver);
  • nephrotoxins (affect the function excretory system and cause kidney pathologies, bladder and urinary system);
  • hematotoxins (cause serious blood diseases. Benzene vapors pose a great danger. With chronic poisoning, leukopenia, lymphocytosis, and thrombocytopenia develop).

Occupational intoxication, characterized by the accumulation of poisons, is dangerous due to the gradual damage to organs and systems and depression of the central nervous system. Often people who have been working with chemicals for years have irreversible negative processes in their body when the toxin level reaches a critical level.

You can get poisoned at home by uncontrollably taking medications or using a gas stove ineptly. In case of a malfunction of the chimney or hood, spraying of plants with pesticides, or ingestion of cosmetics or household chemicals. Symptoms of intoxication can be caused by vapors of solvents, paints and varnishes, or mercury if a medical thermometer is damaged.

In most cases, poisoning at home is acute and exhibits obvious characteristic signs. If you consult a specialist in a timely manner, you can avoid damage to organs, restore their function, and eliminate the negative effects of poison on the body.

Signs and symptoms of toxic chemical poisoning

Manifestations of intoxication with chemical substances depend on the type of poison, quantity and duration of entry into the body.

The main signs of mild intoxication are:

  • weakness, apathy;
  • pale skin;
  • stomach pain;
  • nausea;
  • vomit;
  • diarrhea;
  • chills;
  • dizziness;
  • cough (if chemicals enter the respiratory tract).

In case of severe intoxication, note:

  1. Redness, bluishness of the skin.
  2. Vomit.
  3. Increased salivation.
  4. Fainting.
  5. Problems with consciousness.
  6. Anemia.
  7. Cramps.
  8. Heartbeat disorders.
  9. Difficulty breathing.
  10. Change in color of the mucous membrane.
  11. Headache.
  12. Aches in the joints.
  13. Oliguria.
  14. Hyperthermic syndrome (increase in temperature is observed with toxic damage to the brain).
  15. Coma.

Upon contact of the reagent with skin, the following may occur:

  • focal redness of the skin;
  • rashes;
  • the appearance of burn blisters;
  • pain and burning at the point of contact;
  • tachycardia;
  • dyspnea.

Signs of chemical poisoning are a reason to immediate appeal for qualified medical care. Losing time is fraught with the development of complications and irreversible pathological processes. With severe intoxication and lack of therapeutic measures, the victim may die.

The leading cause of death is carbon monoxide poisoning. The peculiarity of the substance is that it is odorless and colorless and has a rapid effect on humans.

First aid rules

Competent provision of emergency first aid is an important stage in saving a victim from the influence of chemicals, fumes of toxic substances, and gas.

  1. If poison enters the digestive tract, the stomach should be rinsed immediately, allowing the victim to drink a lot of warm water and induce vomiting. It is recommended to carry out the procedure several times. If intoxication is caused by ingestion of an alkali or acid, gastric lavage cannot be done to avoid intensifying the reaction. They give you lime water, milk, sunflower oil, and egg whites to drink.
  2. In case of poisoning through inhalation of vapors or gas, it is necessary to remove or remove the person to fresh air. To avoid poisoning yourself, you need to cover your nose and mouth with clothing. The victim needs to unbutton his collar, free his neck from his tie, scarf, handkerchief and give him a drink of water. An unconscious person should be laid down and their head turned to the side in case they vomit.
  3. In case of food poisoning or ingestion of poison, cleansing enemas are given. They use boiled water warm water, temperature not higher than 37 C. These actions reduce the absorption of toxins in the intestinal walls.
  4. Taking sorbents is necessary to absorb toxic substances. But sorbents are not antidotes - they eliminate those toxins that have not had time to be absorbed into the blood. They should be taken immediately after the first symptoms appear and call an ambulance. It is important to follow the dosage: 1 tablet of activated carbon is designed for 10 kg of human weight. It will not be possible to cleanse the body with a smaller dose.
  5. If the reagent comes into contact with the skin, the damaged area must be thoroughly rinsed with water.

Intoxication with pesticides occurs due to violation of instructions for use and storage chemicals. First aid for exposure to organophosphorus compounds:

  • if the poison penetrates the respiratory tract, the patient should be given 2 tablets of belladonna (extract of the belladonna herb) or 8 drops of atropine 0.1%;
  • if poison enters the gastrointestinal tract, the victim needs to drink 1 liter of water with 7-10 tablets of activated carbon dissolved in it and induce vomiting;
  • if breathing stops, perform artificial respiration;
  • give a laxative (solution of magnesium sulfate or Carlsbad salt);
  • transport the poisoned person to the hospital.

What medications to take for chemical poisoning

After first aid, treatment of chemical poisoning is carried out in a hospital. To carry out therapeutic measures, the patient's condition is assessed. If the chemical agent is known, the doctor may prescribe an antidote. In case of an overdose of narcotic opium alkaloids, Naloxone is prescribed. But not all poisons have antidotes; therapy is aimed at:

  1. Stopping the absorption of toxins into the body.
  2. Removing toxic substances absorbed by sorbents from the body.
  3. Elimination of symptoms of poisoning (restoration of the function of affected systems or organs).

If there is no vomiting to empty the stomach, the patient is given Ipecac syrup. The medicine can be given to a child and an adult to drink (15-30 ml), but simultaneous use with sorbents should be avoided. If there is no vomiting, a repeat dose of the drug should be taken after 20-30 minutes.

In a hospital setting it may be prescribed intramuscular injection Apomorphine, which induces vomiting within 5 minutes.

For the adsorption of poisons, the following are prescribed: Activated carbon: black and white, Carbolong, Smecta, Enterosgel, Polysorb MP, Polyphepan, Filtrum-STI. To remove adsorbed toxins from the body, laxatives are used: Magnesia, Sodium Sulfate. If there are seizures, the patient is administered intravenously Phenytoin, Diazepam, Phenobarbital.

In case of intoxication after chemotherapy, which is accompanied by vomiting, drugs are used to relieve unpleasant urges. The above sorbents are used.

Possible complications

The consequences of exposure to toxins can be complications:

  1. Edema of the lungs, brain, larynx.
  2. Decreased central nervous system functions.
  3. Hypotension (severe decrease in blood pressure).
  4. Cardiac arrhythmia.
  5. Tissue hypoxia.
  6. Acute form of renal or liver failure.
  7. Violation of the water-electrolyte balance of the blood.

Poisoning with chemical substances is characterized as a dangerous condition for the victim and ignored symptoms can lead to disability. It is necessary to provide first aid in time, call a doctor and begin to treat intoxication.