Understanding Poisoning: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments

Ingestion

Swallowing poisons, often dangerous for children.

Inhalation

Breathing in poisons causing respiratory issues.

Injection

Direct entry of poison through skin or veins.

Absorption

Poison entering body through skin contact.

Ingested Poisons

Swallowed substances causing severe health risks.

Signs of Ingested Poisoning

Symptoms include abdominal pain and nausea.

Critical Information

Details needed for poison control assistance.

Poison Control Center

Local resource for poison-related emergencies.

Treatment for Ingested Poisoning

Gather information, call poison control, follow instructions.

Inhaled Poisons Symptoms

Include difficulty breathing and altered level of consciousness.

Treatment for Inhaled Poisoning

Remove victim to fresh air, call 911.

Injected Poisons

Substances introduced via bites or drug use.

Absorbed Poisons Examples

Includes cleaning products and poison ivy.

Poisonous Plants

Plants causing allergic reactions, like poison ivy.

Urushiol

Allergenic oil causing reactions in poison ivy.

Poison Ivy Characteristics

Three jagged leaves, green to red color.

Poison Oak Characteristics

Shiny leaves in threes, distinct middle stalk.

Poison Sumac Characteristics

6-12 leaflets in pairs, single leaflet at end.

T-cell Immunity Deficiency

May reduce dermatitis reactions in some individuals.

First Records of Poison Ivy

Documented in North America since the 1600s.

Captain John Smith

Coined the term 'Poison Ivy' in 1609.

David Douglas

Discovered Western Poison Oak on Vancouver Island.

Allergy Prevalence

Most common allergy affecting half the population.

Poison Ivy Symptoms

Develop 24-48 hours after contact with urushiol.

Itching Severity

Varies by individual reaction and contact amount.

Sore Healing Time

Typically takes 7-10 days to heal.

First Aid for Poison Ivy

Soap and water are most effective treatment.

Critical Action Time

Act within 3 minutes to minimize absorption.

Anti-Itch Treatments

Calamine lotion and Epsom salts can relieve itching.

Contaminated Laundry Handling

Wear gloves when washing clothes with urushiol.

Poison Ivy Contagion Myth

Rashes can't spread unless urushiol is on hands.

Direct Contact Requirement

Urushiol oil needs direct contact to affect.

Leaf Count in Poison Sumac

Has 7 to 13 leaves on a branch.

Urushiol Longevity

Active on surfaces, including dead plants, for 5 years.

Blister Breaking Myth

Doesn't spread urushiol, but can worsen infection.

Allergy to Urushiol

Up to 90% of people are allergic over time.

Shark Attack Probability

Less than 1 in 5 million along North American shores.

Common Shark Attack Location

Most attacks occur within 100 feet of shore.

Preferred Shark Target

Legs are the most frequently attacked body part.

Shark Attraction Factors

Attracted to swimmers' blood chemicals in water.

Shark Attack Prevention

Avoid known shark areas and murky waters.

Swimming Alone Risk

Do not swim or dive alone to reduce risk.

Open Wound Precaution

Avoid shark areas if you have an open wound.

Barracuda Bite Risk

Extremely low risk despite their fierce appearance.

Moray Eel Behavior

Bites occur when divers handle or tease them.

Infection Risk from Eel Bites

Puncture wounds from eels have high infection risk.

Marine Sting First Aid

Specific first aid required; identify sting type.

Portuguese man-of-war

A marine animal known for its painful sting.

Jellyfish

Marine animal with long tentacles and nematocysts.

Nematocysts

Stinging cells found in jellyfish and man-of-wars.

Anemones

Beautiful marine animals that can cause stings.

Stingray

A bottom feeder that can puncture skin with tail.

Scorpion

Venomous arthropod with a stinger on its tail.

Centipede

Venomous arthropod related to scorpions and spiders.

Dermatitis

Skin inflammation that can result from stings.

Sting reaction

Ranges from mild dermatitis to severe symptoms.

Tentacles

Long appendages used by jellyfish for stinging.

Burning pain

Common symptom from jellyfish and stingray stings.

Laceration

Wound type caused by stingray puncture.

Hot water treatment

Immerse wound in 100°F water for pain relief.

Vinegar application

Used to treat marine stings effectively.

Welts

Raised areas on skin from stings, often red.

Zigzag pattern

Appearance of welts from jellyfish stings.

Scraping method

Technique to remove tentacles using a flat object.

Minor sting symptoms

Burning pain lasting about 30 minutes.

Poisonous scorpions

Found mainly in southwestern U.S. deserts.

Venom potency

Determines danger level of scorpion stings.

Immediate pain

First reaction to a scorpion sting.

Injury treatment

Wash and treat as a puncture wound.

Minor Symptoms

Mild pain, swelling, redness at sting site.

Serious Symptoms

Includes convulsions, paralysis, and difficulty breathing.

Muscular Spasms

Involuntary muscle contractions causing discomfort.

Convulsions

Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain.

Decreased Urine Output

Lower than normal urine production, indicating dehydration.

Excessive Salivation

Abnormal drooling due to nervous system reaction.

Random Movements

Involuntary head, eye, or neck motions.

Rapid Breathing

Increased respiratory rate, potentially indicating distress.

Difficulty Breathing

Struggling to breathe, may require immediate attention.

Thicker Tongue Sensation

Feeling of swelling or thickness in the tongue.

Laryngeal Spasm

Involuntary contraction of the voice box muscles.

Double Vision

Seeing two images of one object simultaneously.

Abdominal Cramps

Painful contractions in the stomach area.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas, can be serious.

High Blood Pressure

Elevated force of blood against artery walls.

Irregular Heartbeat

Heart rhythm that deviates from normal pattern.

Restlessness

Inability to remain still, often due to anxiety.

Tense Body

Muscle stiffness or rigidity, often from stress.

Seizures

Episodes of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain.

Paralysis

Loss of ability to move parts of the body.

Preventive Measures

Wear protective footwear and avoid handling scorpions.

Centipede Description

Flattened arthropods with one pair of legs per segment.

Giant Centipedes

Dangerous species found in southwestern United States.

Sting Treatment Do's

Clean wound, apply cold compress, immobilize area.

Sting Treatment Don'ts

Avoid incisions, suction, and alcohol use.

Slash the site

Ineffective; risks secondary infection and blood loss.

Amputate the limb

Only effective in movies; high blood loss risk.

Drink alcohol

Eases pain but hastens venom spread.

Tourniquet application

Can worsen venom spread; risks limb loss.

Strong narcotics

Morphine worsens neurotoxin effects; avoid use.

Drink lots of water

Dilutes venom but strains kidney function.