Poison is any substance that can cause injury, illness or death when introduced into the body. Poisons include solids, liquids, gases and vapors. A poison can enter the body through four ways – ingestion, inhalation, injection and absorption.

Ingestion means swallowing.

Poisoning by Ingestion

1. Food Poisoning

2. Caustics

3. Hydrocarbons

4. Drug overdose

First Aid Management

• If the person is in a toxic area, remove the person from the scene.

• Check the person's level of consciousness and breathing.

• Check for any life-threatening conditions.

• Ask questions to get more information if the person is conscious.

• Look for any containers and take them with you to the telephone area.

• Call the National Poison Management & Control Center (NPMCC) or the local/regional poison control center.

• Follow the directions of the NPMCC or local/regional poison control center.

• If unable to contact the NPMCC or local/regional poison center, bring the patient immediately to the hospital.

• DO NOT give the person anything to eat or drink. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a medical professional.

• Save some samples of the person’s vomit if you do not know how to classify the poison.

• A person who has swallowed a caustic substance should not be made to vomit.

• DO NOT dilute acids with water, especially sulfuric acid.

• The Department of Health recommends giving six to eight egg whites to a child and eight to twelve egg whites to an adult who has ingested a watusi.

Poisoning by inhalation occurs when a person breathes in toxic fumes.

Poisoning by Inhalation

1. Carbon Monoxide

2. Cyanide

3. Chlorine

4. Tear Gas

First Aid Management

• Remove the victims from the toxic environment.

• Open all doors and windows.

• Maintain a patient’s airway if the victim is unconscious.

• Seek medical attention.

Injected poisons enter the body through the bites or stings of insects, spiders, ticks, snakes and some marine life. It could also enter the body through the insertion of a hypodermic needle.

Poisoning by Inhalation

1. Snakebites

2. Bee Stings

3. Marine Life with Poisonous Spines

First Aid Management for Snakebites

• Reassure the patient who may be very anxious.

• Avoid any interference with the bite wound such as incising, rubbing, vigorous cleaning, massaging or applying herbs or chemicals to it.

• Immobilize the whole of the patient’s body by laying him/her down in a comfortable and safe position.

• Ideally, a broad elastic roller bandage should be used for the person.

• Do not remove the trousers as the movement of doing so will only assist the venom into entering the blood stream.

• As far as the snake is concerned - do not attempt to kill it as this may be dangerous.

First Aid Management for Bee Stings

• Remove any visible stinger.

• Wash the site with soap and water.

• Cover the site with a dressing.

• Apply a cold pack to the area to reduce pain and swelling.

• Call the local emergency number if the person has any trouble breathing or shows any other signals of anaphylaxis.

Prevention for Marine Life poisoning

• Always wear suitable footwear when exploring intertidal area or wading in shallow water.

• Avoid handling sea urchins.

• First aid management.

• Immerse the wound in 45ºC water, or as can be tolerated, for 30 to 90 minutes.

• Many marine toxins are proteins which are destroyed by heat. A hot soak can dramatically reduce the pain and the amount of damage caused by a sting.

• Soak the affected area in vinegar. This inhibits bacterial infection and dissolves the spine skeleton which is made of calcium carbonate––the same basic material as human bones. This material fizzes and dissolves readily in any acid such as vinegar.

• Leave an inaccessible spine alone and only if it hasn't penetrated a joint, nerve or blood vessel.

• Cleanse the wound with an antiseptic solution.

• Washing out remaining venom and pieces of spine will help minimize damage, speed healing and prevent infection.

An absorbed poison enters the body after it comes in contact with skin.

Poisoning by Inhalation

1. Jellyfish Stings

2. Stinging Nettles or Nettle Trees

First Aid Management for Jellyfish Stings

• Limit further discharge by minimizing patient movement.

• Wash out wounds or injury with vinegar.

• Remove any remnant of allergen such as jellyfish tentacles and other foreign materials by scraping them off.

• Keep the patient warm.

To care for a victim who has come into contact with a poisonous plant:

• Remove contaminated clothing and jewellery which may constrict circulation when swelling occurs.

• Rinse the affected area immediately.

• Seek medical advice if a rash or weeping lesion (oozing sore) develops.

• Soothe the area with medicated lotions.

• Stop or reduce itching with antihistamines that will dry up the lesions.

• Advice the victim to see a physician if the condition worsens and large areas of the body or the face are affected.

• Give care for severe allergic reactions if it does develop.