What is it?
A condition that develops when you inhale, touch, or swallow cyanide.
- Cyanide is a poisonous chemical gas that prevents your body from absorbing oxygen.
- The lack of oxygen in your blood can lead to severe respiratory conditions and then can damage your organs and be life-threatening.
Cause
- Factories that make plastics, paper, jewellery, or textiles
- In the soil, either naturally or from industrial processes
- Smoke from a fire or cigarette, or exhaust from a car
Symptoms
- Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
- Balance and dizziness problems?
- Confusion?
- Irritated, depressed, anxiety and/or panic attack?
- Sickness or nausea feeling?
- Sweet almond breath?
- Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
- Shortness of breath/ breathing difficulties and/or rapid breathing?
- Chest pain?
- Rapid/fast heartbeat?
- Cherry red skin to dark skin patches forming?
Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:
Medical Emergency Condition
And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:
While you wait for an ambulance:
- Do not make yourself vomit if you have swallowed cyanide.
- Cyanide in your vomit could contaminate others, or damage your airway.
- Remove and bag all items on your body, including clothes, contacts or glasses, and jewellery.
- Try not to touch affected items with bare hands, or try to touch only a small part of each item. Put affected items into a bag.
- Put the bagged items into another bag.
- Let emergency responders take care of the bags.
- Do not put affected contacts back in, even if they have been rinsed.
- Eyeglasses can be washed and worn again.
- Wash your hair and body for 20 minutes with soap and water, and rinse thoroughly.
- Rinse your eyes with water for 5-15 minutes if they have been exposed to cyanide.
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Cyanide Poisoning 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).
- NHS
Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).
- Medscape
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- Pharmaceutical Journal
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- Healthline
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- Medical News Today
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- WebMD
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- Cleveland Clinic
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- Drugs.com
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- National Organisation of Rare Diseases
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- Verywell Health
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- Fit for Travel
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- DR Axe
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