Poisoning with chemical substances: what are the signs

Chemical poisoning is a serious condition that is life threatening. It can be caused by toxic substances in the body through the food tract, breathing, through the skin or mucous membranes. This article discusses in detail the substances which can cause chemical poisoning, the main symptoms, clinical manifestations and components of first aid in cases of poisoning by chemicals.

Causes of chemical poisoning

Chemical poisoning can be caused by a vast number of substances. It can be medication, cleaning, cosmetic substances, chemicals manufacturing, chemical weapons.

The main reasons for getting these substances in the human body include:

• Accidental or ingestion of chemicals. Adults can thus try to commit suicide, and children can accidentally drink or eat good smelling cleaning products.
• Getting chemical substances into the air, as a result of accidents, or the use of mass chemical weapons.
• Official inattention, or mistake due to which the solutions of chemicals gets on the skin or mucous membranes.

Possible effects of poisoning

What are the complications and consequences can develop as a result of chemical poisoning? Various chemicals can serve the development of serious disorders of all organs and systems, and death. The type of complications depends on the chemical substance.

The possible effects of chemicals include:

• Acute respiratory failure, burns of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
• Chemical burn of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus and intestines.
• Acute renal and hepatic failure.
• Gastro-intestinal bleeding.
• Toxic or anaphylactic shock.
• Stop the heart.
• Burns of the skin varying degrees.
• Acute pancreatitis.
• Damage to the nervous system, impairment of consciousness to coma.
• Acute allergic reaction.
• DVZ syndrome.
• Hemolysis (decay) of red blood cells, with subsequent development of anemia.

The main clinical manifestations of chemical poisoning

Poisoning with chemical substances, can manifest in different symptoms. They depend on the substance ingested, and the mechanisms of its action. When chemical poisoning symptoms may appear immediately or within a few hours. They can serve as a defeat of various organs and systems.

The table below shows the first signs of chemical poisoning, depending on the way it enters the human body:

The above are the symptoms that appear in the initial stage of chemical poisoning. Then, in the absence of a medical emergency, they develop into complications that were listed in the last part of the article.

What to do if chemical poisoning

In case of poisoning you should immediately call the ambulance and describe in detail the Manager of the situation and describing the exact location of the patient. While doctors go, yourself the victim first aid, described in detail below:

Poisoning through the mouth

Please note that if the patient is poisoned with alkalis or acids, wash his stomach and provoke vomiting is strictly forbidden. This can cause repeat chemical lesion of the mucosa of the esophagus and oral cavity, lead to painful shock and internal bleeding, and quick death.

If the person is unconscious, you should put it on the floor, and turning his head to the side. This will protect it from zahlebyvayas own vomit and sticky tongue.

If the victim is conscious, you should find out from him what exactly he was poisoned. Below is the main algorithm of your actions:

1. If the poisoning occurred due to consumption of medicines, give him to drink a liter of water and provoke vomiting. In the case when he didn't call you a chemical substance, or if it is acid or alkali, gastric lavage is prohibited.
2. Give the man a drink of plain water (200-300 ml). The fluid to dilute the concentration of the chemical and reduce its negative impact on the food channel.

That's all you can do until medics arrive. Give the person some medicine is prohibited, as you will not know how they will reactwith the contents of the stomach.

Respiratory poisoning

Remember that before the first aid to the victim, the first thing to take care of their security. If the air is contaminated with chemicals, wear a gauze bandage or respirator.

In the case of respiratory exposure (via the respiratory tract), it is first necessary move the victim to fresh air. If you are in danger, and wear a mask you can't wait for the arrival of rescue assistance, don't put your life in danger.

Once in the room (or outdoors) with non polluted air, use the following guidelines:

1. Undo man tie, shirt, ensure that nothing prevents him to breathe.
2. If the patient is awake put him if he's unconscious – put it on a solid, level surface and turn his head to one side.
3. Can you give him a drink of water.

Getting chemicals on the skin

If the chemical got on the skin, rinse them under cold running water for 15-20 minutes. This will help to clear the skin from the remnants of the substance, which is not yet absorbed into the bloodstream. Also, cold water will weaken a little pain.

First aid

Tell the team members of SMP, than the poisoned man which he had first symptoms, and you have given him first aid. After a quick assessment of the patient's condition, physicians will render first aid, which is necessary to ensure that the patient survived to hospital admission.

Depending on the symptoms and condition of the patient, it can be rendered the following assistance:

• Connect patient to oxygen.
• Intonirovanie and start artificial respiration.
• Gastric lavage through the probe.
• Intravenous solutions of medications to normalize the function of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Admission is carried out within the quickest period of time. Patient transporterowych division of toxicology or in the intensive care unit.

Treatment

The duration of treatment and the prognosis depends on the patient's condition. In the hospital it can be an antidote to the chemical that he drank (if they exist).

To determine the affected organs and systems, carried out a detailed examination of the patient (in addition to providing medical care).

The examination may consist of:

• the General analysis of blood;
• General analysis of urine;
• biochemical analysis of blood;
• electrocardiogram;
• radiography of the lungs;
• blood test for toxins;
• ultrasound of the internal organs.

In severe condition, the patient is placed in the intensive care unit. He may be undergoing hemodialysis (blood purification). Forecast for life, you will be able to learn from the attending physician.

Poisoning with chemical substances is one of the most dangerous lesions of the body. They can lead to death. Is strictly prohibited self-medication. The sooner will call an ambulance, the better a person's chances of survival and recovery. Poisoned patient requires daily medical supervision, and the provision of qualified medical assistance.