Chemical poisoning is possible under different circumstances. Household chemicals for washing, cleaning, washing dishes, as well as fertilizers, medicines, paints and chemical compounds used in production are usually toxic. Therefore, it is important to know about the rules of first aid for chemical poisoning. This is described in the article.
Poisoning methods
How does this poisoning happen? This is due to the type of substance and how it enters the body. So, poisoning occurs through:
- respiratory system;
- esophagus;
- skin
- mucous membranes.
Since in many cases this is a determining factor for the appearance of symptoms, you should familiarize yourself with the signs of poisoning in each situation. Depending on this, first-aid treatment for chemical poisoning differs.
Chemical fumes
First aid for chemical poisoning depends on the type of exposure. As a result of inhalation of toxic components, the upper respiratory tract is affected. This is manifested in the form:
- shortness of breath
- coughing
- acute respiratory failure;
- chemical burn of the upper respiratory tract;
- noticeable pallor or bluish tint of the skin;
- lacrimation or dry eyes;
- disorientation, hallucinations;
- loss of consciousness;
- changes in the rhythm of the heart.
Through the esophagus
If chemicals have penetrated, then the damage depends on the type of chemicals. Alkalis and acids lead to a chemical burn, other components are absorbed in the stomach and intestines, starting a toxic effect when they penetrate the blood. In other cases, the appearance of:
- severe sore throat and stomach;
- chemical burn of the mucous membrane of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines;
- nausea
- vomiting
- indigestion
- dehydration of the body.
Through the skin and mucous membranes
When poisons come in contact with the skin, the type of damage depends on the nature of the chemicals. Alkalis and acids lead to burns, highly toxic components penetrate the blood through the skin, acting on the work of internal organs and systems. Probably appearance:
- burn marks;
- allergies - redness, rash, spots;
- severe pain;
- respiratory and heart rhythm disturbances.
Common symptoms
Other manifestations of poisoning may also occur. In people observed:
- toxic or anaphylactic shock;
- disruption of the central nervous system;
- loss of consciousness, even a coma is possible;
- heart dysfunction;
- red blood cell destruction and acute anemia;
- acute renal failure;
- pancreatitis
How to help?
These manifestations are capable of developing rapidly or occur gradually, after a few hours or even days. Therefore, a quick reaction is important in order to prevent negative consequences. What is first aid for chemical poisoning? This can be summarized as follows:
- You need to see a doctor. Self-medication can lead to serious consequences. It is necessary to tell the ambulance manager about the symptoms, as well as follow his instructions.
- The scene of the incident should be examined, especially if the victim lost consciousness. Often it is not possible to accurately determine the substance that led to the poisoning, and it is dangerous to expect test results - time may be lost. Packages or bubbles found nearby will simplify the work of doctors.
- First aid for chemical poisoning is to stop contact with them. A person should be taken out into the air or washed off the substance from his skin.
If a dangerous component has got inside, but it is not known, then it is necessary:
- perform gastric lavage with salted water;
- give the patient a remedy that envelops the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus - protein, milk, starch, Almagel (but not in case of poisoning with oil products);
- give a person an absorbent that binds and removes toxins - activated carbon, Polysorb, Smecta;
- send the victim to the hospital.
If you determine the poisoning component turned out, then you can proceed to first aid for poisoning with "chemistry". Details on the procedures are described below.
For drug poisoning
Effective medicines from the first-aid kit can lead to negative consequences if a child gets access to them. The same thing happens with the uncontrolled intake of drugs. Each medicine has its own side effects. In case of poisoning, age is also of great importance.
The most dangerous are powerful analgesics with opiates, antidepressants, sedatives, sleeping pills. They inhibit the work of the central nervous system, heart, breathing. It is necessary to establish a drug that led to poisoning. The victim must be immediately sent to the hospital.
Alcohol
This is ethyl alcohol. In different drinks, it has a different concentration. Alcohol acts on the central nervous system as a neurotoxin, and causes damage to the liver, kidneys, and heart. Alcohol substitutes are dangerous - alcohol-containing household chemicals, perfumes. Methyl alcohol leads to fatal poisoning or irreparable consequences in the form of blindness and deafness.
Departure manifests itself in the form of a characteristic odor, unconscious or coma, a weak filiform pulse. The temperature drops sharply and sticky sweat, cramps appear, the pupils narrow. First aid for poisoning with chemicals of this kind is as follows:
- Gastric lavage is performed.
- The poisoned is given the smell of ammonia.
- It is necessary to provide access to fresh air.
- Absolutely give absorbents.
- The body needs to provide heat.
Alkalis and acids
How to provide first aid for poisoning with household chemicals? Usually they have alkalis and acids, which lead to a chemical burn of tissues. Symptoms include the appearance of a burn on the skin and mucous membranes, acute pain. There are signs of internal bleeding - vomiting with blood or black clots.
Blood cells are destroyed by acetic acid, so pallor and yellow skin appear. First aid for poisoning with household chemicals containing acids is as follows:
- The damaged area must be washed thoroughly with water.
- The skin or mucous membrane is treated with a 2% solution of baking soda.
- When acid penetrates inside, you need to give a lot of drinking water to reduce its concentration, as well as soapy water - to neutralize the substance.
- If alkali penetrated inside, water helps, but it is better to drink acidic drinks.
- Enveloping substances (milk, protein) that protect the mucous membranes are effective.
- Do not induce vomiting and rinse the stomach, as well as give soda, due to which carbon dioxide is formed, bloating, and possibly injury to the stomach.
These are all the necessary first aid actions for household chemical poisoning, outlined. They must be known. These measures will help prevent unpleasant consequences. Even if first aid was provided for poisoning with household chemicals, after this it is still better to consult a doctor. Prescribing or treatment may be required.
Solvents and hydrocarbons
Gasoline, kerosene, turpentine, acetone, ether - solvents that are usually used in everyday life. These are volatile components, therefore, they enter the body through the respiratory tract with the inhalation of vapors or are absorbed into the blood through the skin.
The components act on the central nervous system, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, kidneys, and liver. This manifests itself in the form of drug intoxication and a similar condition. With chemical poisoning. First aid substances in this case are as follows:
- need fresh air;
- the skin is washed with soap and the eyes with clean water;
- Absorbents and laxatives are taken to block and eliminate toxins.
To exclude harm, you can not:
- Drink milk, warm sweet tea or eat butter, as the absorption of poisons only accelerates.
- Induce vomiting if gas poisoning occurs, because this exacerbates the situation.
Gas poisoning
The gas used for cooking and heating is a mixture of butane and propane. It is a dangerous inhalation toxin that leads to headache, nausea, salivation, low blood pressure and slow heart rate.
The pupils will be narrow, an excited state appears, and loss of consciousness and death are also possible. Help is as follows:
- people are taken to fresh air;
- heavy drinking is required;
- give a sorbent;
- artificial respiration is performed, indirect heart massage before the ambulance arrives.
Pesticides
These are the means by which insects are destroyed in agriculture. The poison is able to enter the body through negligence. The danger of these poisons is that they contain salts of heavy metals, organophosphorus and organochlorine highly toxic components. Symptoms are determined by the type of damaging toxins:
- Organophosphorus components lead to muscle trembling and jerking, paralysis, involuntary bowel movements and urination, narrowing of the pupils, wheezing in the lungs. There may also be loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest.
- With organochlorine substances, cough, sore throat, tears, thirst, nausea and vomiting, redness of the skin, muscle weakness occur. Such poisoning leads to kidney and liver failure, death.
- From pesticides with salts of heavy metals there is a feeling of weakness, muscle trembling, impaired consciousness and mental state. The circulatory and lymphatic systems are also affected.
Help is as follows:
- it is necessary to induce vomiting when the toxin enters the stomach;
- provide enveloping preparations;
- give absorbents;
- the skin is washed with soap;
- the eyes are washed with a 2% solution of baking soda.
Cyanides
These are salts of hydrocyanic acid. They are present in almond kernels, apricot and plums. There are also cyanides in some colors. They are used in the creation of polymers and pesticides.
An increased concentration of poison leads to rapid poisoning. Breathing stops, cramps, pressure increase are observed. But sometimes the reaction is slow. This is noticeable by the almond breath, pain in the chest and head, depression of consciousness, dilated pupils, vomiting and rapid breathing. First aid is as follows:
- A man is taken out to fresh air.
- It is necessary to remove clothes from it and place in a bag (it is better not to touch with unprotected hands).
- Wash skin with soap and eyes with plain water.
- The stomach is washed with a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate.
- You have to drink sweet tea.
- Give the victim a sniff of amyl nitrite.
- Perform artificial respiration, if required.
In addition to these, there are poisonings and other chemicals - toxic components and their compounds. Arsenic, sulfur, copper, lead, phosphorus, iodine are dangerous.
Prevention
To exclude poisoning, it is necessary to follow simple preventive measures:
- Properly store, use and transport hazardous substances, medicines, household chemicals.
- It is important to prevent children from accessing such substances, keep first-aid kits, cleaning, cleaning products, vinegar, alcohol, gasoline in safe places. Do not pour hazardous liquids into beverage bottles.
- Read the instructions before working with hazardous products or taking medication. It is important to follow manufacturers recommendations.
The article was about poisoning with "chemistry", its symptoms and first aid. Chemical poisoning can be avoided by observing safety rules.