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2013 GEMS Trustee elections The voting period starts on 22 April. Click here to view the candidate list. Poison may be swallowed, inhaled, absorbed through the mucous membranes or skin, or injected.
Summary
Poison may be swallowed, inhaled, absorbed through the mucous membranes or skin, or injected.
Signs of swallowed poisons include nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Inhaled poisons may cause irritated mucous membranes, coughing, headache, shortness of breath or dizziness.
Absorbed poisons may cause reddening of the skin, blisters, swelling or burns.
Injected poisons cause irritation or marks and the entry point.
Call emergency services if there are signs of poisoning or the person becomes unconscious.
Poisoning can be divided into four types:
Commonly swallowed poisons include medication, paraffin, poisonous plants and cleaning agents.
Symptoms and signs of swallowed poisons may include:
Nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, coughing blood, may or may not turn blue, lethargy, convulsion. There may be burn marks in or around the mouth.
First aid for swallowed poisons
Call emergency services if the person is unconscious or there are signs of poisoning. Provide information about the poisoning: what poison was taken; the amount; how it entered the body; when it was taken; the person's age and approximate size/weight.
Perform CPR if the person is unconscious and not breathing, but first check for poisonous material around the mouth. Wash the area around the person's mouth and if necessary, use a barrier device.
Keep a sample of what the person has taken, even if it is an empty container.
Never try to induce vomiting as this could cause further damage. Some poisons, especially corrosive substances, can cause further damage during vomiting.
Do not give anything to eat or drink.
Inhaled poisons
Common sources are carbon monoxide and gas used for heating.
Symptoms and signs of inhaled poisons may include:
Irritated eyes, nose, throat or lungs. Coughing, headache, shortness of breath or dizziness.
First aid for inhaled poisons
Call an ambulance if the person is unconscious or there are signs of poisoning.
If the person is unconscious, call emergency services immediately.
Perform CPR if the person is unconscious and not breathing.
Absorbed poisons
Common sources include pesticides and poisonous plants.
Symptoms and signs of absorbed poisons may include:
Reddening of the skin, blisters, swelling or burns.
First aid for absorbed poisons
If the person is unconscious, call emergency services immediately.
Flush the affected area thoroughly with cool water.
Remove clothing that has been in contact with the poison - be careful not to touch it.
Wash the area carefully with soap and water.
If there is poison in the eye, rinse the eye with cool water for 20 minutes.
Keep a sample of the poisonous substance, even if it is an empty container.
Injected poisons
Poisons can be injected through a hollow needle or needle-like device such as a snake's fangs.
Symptoms and signs of injected poisons may include:
Irritation around the point of entry. Snake bites can be identified by marks on the skin.
First aid for injected poisons
Call emergency services if the person is unconscious, there are signs of poisoning or the person has been bitten by a snake.
Delay the spread of the poison to the rest of the body by letting the person lie down, keeping the affected limb below the heart.
Prevention of poisoning
