Poison Treatment

Immediately get the person to fresh air. Avoid breathing fumes. Open doors and windows wide. Evacuate the area. If the victim is not breathing or is not breathing easily, call 911, start artificial respiration. Call the Poison Center or your physician.

Remove contaminated clothing and flood the skin with water for 10 minutes. Then wash gently with soap and water and rinse. Call the Poison Center or your physician.

General Instructions: Remove all foreign materials from the eyes. Remove contact lenses if worn. Flood or irrigate the eye with lukewarm (NOT HOT) water continuously for 15 MINUTES. Have the person blink as much as possible while flushing. CAUTION: DO NOT FORCE THE EYELID(S) OPEN.

FOR ADULTS: Use the shower. Aim a gentle stream of lukewarm water on the forehead above the affected eye. If both eyes are affected, aim the stream at the bridge of the nose. Eyes do not have to be held open. Opening and closing the eyes repeatedly during the irrigation will help carry the water to all the surfaces of the eye. Irrigate all eye exposures for 15 full minutes. Call the Poison Center or your physician.

FOR YOUNG CHILDREN: Use the sprayer hose at the kitchen sink or use a pitcher. Aim a gentle stream of water at the bridge of the nose or on the forehead above the affected eye. Do not pour water directly onto the surface of the eyeball. Eyes do not need to be held open unless the child refuses to open them at all. Irrigate all eye exposures for 15 full minutes. Call the Poison Center or your physician.

MEDICINE: Call the Poison Center or your physician, even if you don't think the ingestion is serious.

CHEMICAL OR HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS: Unless the patient is unconscious, having convulsions (seizures), or cannot swallow, give a small amount water or milk immediately... then Call the Poison Center.

CAUTION: Some out-of-date product antidote labels or health information charts may carry incorrect treatment information. DO NOT give raw eggs, salt, vinegar or citrus fruit juices to induce vomiting or to neutralize the poison. DO NOT induce vomiting by sticking fingers or any other instrument down the victim's throat. These procedures are not only ineffective, but potentially dangerous!

Keep the national number, 1-800-222-1222 or your local Poison Control Center phone number posted by your phone or on the refirgerator. If at all possible have the container of poison or medication on hand when you call. If you are instructed to go to a hospital emergency department, take the poisonous substance or container with you. Keep syrup of ipecac (see below) in your home in case you are advised to use it to make the victim vomit. NEVER administer ipecac unless you have been advised to do so by a physician or by Poison Center staff.

What Is Syrup of Ipecac? Ipecac is a plant extract which when swallowed, stimulates the central nervous system and the stomach, causing vomiting, usually in about 20 minutes.

When do I use Ipecac? Only when the Poison Center or your doctor directs you to use it! Some poisons should NOT be removed by vomiting. If you call the Poison Center, staff will tell you if you should use Syrup of Ipecac, and how to use it.

Who needs Ipecac? Every household! If someone ingests (eats or drinks) poison, the poison may need to be removed to prevent the poison from being absorbed in the digestive tract. Using Syrup of Ipecac is the only SAFE, effective way to induce vomiting, which will remove the poison from the victim's stomach. DO NOT give salt water or insert fingers in the throat to induce vomiting... these methods don't work well and can be dangerous.

Where can I get Ipecac? At almost any pharmacy. You do not need a prescription from your doctor. Syrup of Ipecac is inexpensive and will keep for several years if stored at room temperature. Always keep on hand at home, a one ounce bottle of Syrup of Ipecac for each child or grand child in the home, but give only on the advice of the poison control center, emergency department or physician.

What About Activated Charcoal? Activated charcoal is a very fine, special powder form of charcoal. It is very effective in absorbing or binding most poisons in the stomach so the poisons don't reach the blood stream. Ask your pharmacist to order the pre-mixed bottles of activated charcoal with water. Have one bottle on hand for each child under the age of 5 years. Give only on the advice of the poison control center, emergency department or physician.