Common sources of chemical poisoning include:
Household cleaners
Laundry detergent
Drain cleaners
Varnishes
Agricultural products
Plants
Industrial chemicals
Identifying the type of poison is important to treat the poisoning.
Different chemicals will cause different symptoms. Common symptoms can include:
Severe throat pain
Trouble breathing
Burns on the lips or mouth
Sudden behavior changes, such as unusual sleepiness, irritability, or jumpiness
Nausea or vomiting
Stomach cramps with no fever
Unusual drooling or odd odor on the breath
Convulsions or unconsciousness (severe cases only)
The first action when a person has swallowed a toxic substance is to call Poison Control at 800-222-1222. This will connect you to a local poison center.
If a person has been poisoned, do not give them ipecac. Syrup of ipecac is an emetic. This is a chemical used to cause vomiting. It is made from the dried root of a plant grown in Brazil called ipecacuanha. Although ipecac was commonly used in the past, guidelines now say that you should not use it.
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