Poisoning (Including carbon monoxide, cyanide and arsenic , Severe bites and stings) - Medtick
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Poisoning (Including carbon monoxide, cyanide and arsenic , Severe bites and stings)

What is it?

This chapter is mainly focusing on non-medication overdose.

Poisoning is when one has too much of  substance that then becomes harmful to ones body.

For example:

  • Carbon dioxide/Nitrous oxides/chemicals/poisons (food, venom/stings)  from vehicles and/or factories and/or animals respectively can build up in one’s bloodstream instead of oxygen thus causing severe breathing problems (respiratory failure) and this can lead to damage to one’s body organs.
  • Snake venom can also interfere with:
    • The blood clotting process, cause massive internal bleeding leading as well as low blood pressure leading to shock and thus affecting your heart and breathing.
    • It can lead to severe pain causing tissue death.
    • Some bites can affect your nervous system causing paralysis, Kidney failure as well as neurological symptoms.

Cause

Illicit drugs

Overdose of medication:

Table. Differentiation of Serotonin Syndrome From Similarly Presenting Conditions

Clinical Feature Serotonin Syndrome Anticholinergic Toxidrome Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Malignant Hyperthermia
Medication history Serotoninergic drug Anticholinergic agent Dopamine agonist Inhalational anesthetic
Average onset time < 12 h < 12 h 1-3 d 0.5-24 h
Vital signs Hypertension, tachycardia, tachypnea, fever (>105.8 °F [41 °C]) Hypertension, tachypnea, tachycardia, fever (<102.2 °F [39 °C]) Hypertension, tachycardia, tachypnea, fever (>105.8 °F [41 °C]) Hypertension, tachycardia, tachypnea, hyperthermia
Pupils Mydriasis Mydriasis Normal Normal
Bowel sounds Hyperactive Decreased or absent Normal or decreased Decreased
Tone Increased in lower extremities Normal “Lead-pipe” rigidity in all muscle groups Rigor mortis–like rigidity
Reflexes Hyperreflexia clonus Normal Bradyreflexia Hyporeflexia
Mental status Agitation, coma Agitation, delirium Stupor, alert, mutism, coma Agitation
Adapted from Boyer EW, Shannon M. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:1112-1120.
  • Exposed to and/or used:
      • Household cleaning products
      • Chemicals/Chemical weapons
      • Plant food
      • Weed killers
      • Slug pellets
      • Paints
      • Solvents
      • Firelighters
      • Toiletries
      • Hair dyes
      • Nail polish remover
  • Rare metals:
    • Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium ,Cobalt, Lead, Mercury,  Manganese, Phosphorus, Silica, Thallium and others.

Symptoms

(symptoms can vary)

  • Abdominal pain?
  • Nausea and vomiting?
  • Chest pain?
  • Abnormal heart rhythm and/or rapid heart rate and/or decrease heart rate?
  • Blurred vision?
  • Short of breath and/or breathing difficulties and/or decreased rate of breathing?
  • Burns or pain inside nose and/or mouth?
  • Diarrhoea?
  • Bleeding of any orifice?
  • Fever?
  • Headache?
  • Confusion?
  • Dizziness?
  • Drowsiness?
  • Loss of consciousness?
  • Convulsions?
  • Hallucinations?
  • A spider bite, scorpion sting or other toxic infections can cause priapism?

Nail changes:

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not try to suck the venom in anyway as it can spread/harm you or other person doing this procedure.
Do not try to wash out the wound or make an incision of the wound as it will make it more difficult to identify the poison and/or bitten animal.

Medical Emergency Condition (urgent treatment required to identify and the source and then treat)

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

  • Sepsis
  • Angioedema (swelling of any sort)
  • Delirium:
    • Problem with attention (This could mean the person is inattentive and does not focus or that he or she can focus on tasks but at the expense of all else — failure to shift attention.)
    • Disorganised thinking (such as not being able to remember things or being confused)
    • Altered level of consciousness (hyper-alertness and on edge, or sluggish, drowsy or withdrawn)
    • Change is sudden and/or does it fluctuate over hours or days
  • Bleeding from any orifice
  • Compartment syndrome
  • Rhabdomyolysis (Crush syndrome)
  • Pins and needles and/or numbness and/or paralysis to any part of the body
  • Necrotising Fasciitis (skin turning black)
  • Nausea and/or vomiting and/or diarrhoea
  • Rhabdomyolysis (Crush syndrome)
  • Compartment syndrome
  • Anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction)
  • Low blood pressure
  • Shock:
    • Rapid heart rate (rapid pulse)
    • Rapid breathing
    • Dilated pupils
    • Pale, cool skin
    • Sweating (diaphoresis)
    • Yawning
  • If shock occurs (whilst awaiting for an ambulance):
    • Lay the person down (if their injuries allow it) and raise and support their legs
    • Use a coat or blanket to keep them warm, but do not cover their face or the burnt area
    • Do not give them anything to eat or drink

    • How to Treat Shock

This condition can lead to long term symptoms:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Poisoning (Including carbon monoxide, cyanide and arsenic , Severe bites and stings) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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