FIRST AID FOR HEALTH

PROFESSIONALS

TOpiC : HOUSEHOLD POISOININ

Learning outcomes
At the end of this session you should able to:
Define household poisoning
Understand the types of household poisoning
State etiology of household poisoning
List the signs & symptoms of household poisoning
List the risk factors of household poisoning
Understand the statistic of household poisoning cases in
Malaysia
Explain the aim first aid
Explain the first aid management of household
poisoning

Definition
a person have consumed chemicals

in and around the home called

household poisoning.
The products used for cleaning,
carpentry, auto repair, gardening, and
many other are household products.
Toxic substances in these products
can cause harm if inhaled, swallowed,
or absorbed through the skin

Example of household
products

etiology

Risk factors
Depressed
people for
example
suicide
attempt

Mental
abnormali
ties

Children

sign & symptoms

NAUSEA
AND
VOMITTING

CRAMPING
STOMACH
PAINS

A BURNING
SENSATION

UNCONSCIOUS
NESS

DROWSINES
S

DIFFICULTY
BREATHING

STATISTICS
Rat-killers and kerosene topped the
list for household poisoning so far
last year, compared to mosquito coils
and sprays and toilet cleaners during
2014 which is issued by the National
Poisons Information Centre

Aim of first aid

PRESERVE LIFE
To save lives and minimize the threat of death
PREVENT FURTHER HARM
Prevent the condition from worsening or danger of further
injury, this covers both external factors , such as moving a
patient away from any cause of harm, and applying first
aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition.
PROMOTE RECOVERY
First aid also involves trying to start the recovery process
from the illness or injury and in some cases might involve
completing a treatment

FIRST AID FOR HOUSEHOLD POISOINING

If the person is conscious
Ask them what they have swallowed
how much and when the victim swallowed the poison
Look for clues
Call 999 for medical help and tell them as much information as
possible.
e) Check and monitor the persons airway, breathing and pulse. If
necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR. If the person starts
having convulsions, give convulsion first aid.
f) Keep the person comfortable. The person should be rolled onto the
left side and remain there while getting or waiting for medical help.
g) Never try to make the person vomit,but if they vomit naturally then
put some of their vomit into a bag or container and give it to the
ambulance.This may help them to identify the poison

a)
b)
c)
d)

DO NOT
Do not give an unconscious person anything by mouth.
Do not induce vomiting unless you are told to do so by a
doctor. A strong poison that burns on the way down the
throat will also do damage on the way back up.
Do not try to neutralize the poison with lemon juice or
vinegar or any substance.
Do not use any cure-all type antidote.
Do not wait for symptoms to develop if u suspect that
someone has been poisoned.
Do not put your hand into their mouth and dont try to
make them sick.

GASTRIC LAVAGE
is
agastrointesti
nal
decontaminati
on
technique that
aims to empty
the stomach of
toxic substances
by these
quential
administration
and aspiration
of small volumes
of fluid via an
orogastric tube

This test may be done

to:
Thisisdonetoremov
eor
dilutedrugsornon-

corrosivepoisonstaken
.
Lavageisavoidedif
corrosivepoisonshav
ebeentaken
Remove poisons,
harmful materials, or
excess medicines
from the stomach
Clean the stomach
before an upper
endoscopy (EGD) if
you have been
vomiting blood
Collect stomach acid
Relieve pressure if

STEPS TO PERORM THE TEST

PREVENTION
Always read the label before using a product that may be poisonous.
Keep chemical products in their original bottles or containers. Do not use food containers such as cups, bottles, or jars
to store chemical products such as cleaning solutions or beauty products.
Never mix household products together. For example, mixing bleach and ammonia can result in toxic gases.
Wear protective clothing (gloves, long sleeves, long pants, socks, shoes) if you spray pesticides or other chemicals.
Turn on the fan and open windows when using chemical products such as household cleaners.
Store household products up and away and out of sight in a cabinet where a child cannot reach them.

CONCLUSION
Some poisons cause no damage,
whereas others can cause severe
damage or death.
The diagnosis is based on symptoms,
on information from the poisoned
person and sometimes on blood and
urine tests.
Chemicals and drugs should be kept
out of the reach of children.
Treatment consists of supporting the
person, preventing additional
absorption of the poison and
sometimes increasing elimination of
the poison.

VIDEO

REFERENCES
http://
www.sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice/poison
ing/swallowed-poisons.aspx
http://
medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/g
astric+lavage
http://
www.sundaytimes.lk/150913/news/rat-killer
s-kerosene-lead-this-year-in-household-po
isons-164017.html
http://
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_liv
ing/hic_Steps_to_Staying_Well/hic_Househo