How to act in case of poisoning or intoxication?
Poisonings do not only occur when a toxic product is ingested but also when toxic vapors are inhaled, injected or come into direct contact by absorption (the skin then absorbs the chemicals in the product).
The three key questions to ask a victim of poisoning are: WHAT WHEN HOW MUCH What did you take? When did you take it? How many did you take? |
Signs of poisoning
- Altered level of consciousness;
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Digestive disorders, abdominal pain;
- Discoloration of the lips, burning in the mouth;
- Difficulty breathing or coughing;
- Headache;
- Hallucinations;
- Drowsiness;
- Rashes ;
- State of shock.
How to react ?
- Call for help;
- Call the poison control center;
- If you know the source of the poisoning, put it in a plastic bag and keep it for emergency services (only if this does not put you at risk of poisoning);
- Move the victim away from the source of intoxication;
- If only one limb of the victim is affected, be sure to keep it lower than the heart;
- Remove contaminated clothing;
- Wash the affected part with soap and water;
- Treat victim as for shock (apply PORSCHE procedure).