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Signs & Symptoms of Poisoning

 The signs and symptoms of poisoning can vary depending on the source of the poisoning, the amount of poison, the age of the affected person, and how much time has passed since first aid or treatment was administered. Some common signs and symptoms of poisoning are:

• Headache

• Skin rash

• Burns on the skin

• Substance residue around the mouth, eyes, or on the skin

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Hyperactivity

• Sudden confusion

• Decreased alertness

• Anxiousness

• Nervousness

• Weakness

• Diarrhea

• Cramps

• Nausea and / or vomiting

• Breathing difficulty

• Throat pain

• Blue lips

• Unusual breath odor

• Fever

• Confusion

• Cough

• Drooling

• Dry mouth or skin

• Blurred or double vision

• Chest pain

• Stomach pain

• Irritability

• Heart palpitations

• Loss of appetite

• Loss of bladder control

• Feeling of numbness or tingling

• Seizures

• Dilation or shrinking of the pupils

• Twitching of muscles

• Tremors

• Loss of consciousness

• Some poisons cause pain while others don't
  

One type of poison could cause different sets of symptoms. When the cause of the poisoning is unknown, the signs and symptoms specific to a particular poison make diagnosing the problem easier as it helps narrow the possibilities.

Signs and symptoms of poisoning can occur immediately or become evident only after several hours. In some cases, poisoning symptoms can be delayed and can occur even after a few days or months. These cases are especially dangerous as medical attention and treatment is delayed. Lead poisoning is a classic example of slow poisoning. To add to the confusion, many of the signs and symptoms of poisoning are similar to those of other common illnesses. For example, nausea and vomiting are symptoms of a number of ailments and health problems that have nothing at all to do with poisoning. Other diseases with similar symptoms include stroke, heart attack, and ulcers in the stomach, gallbladder problems, appendicitis, head injuries, hepatitis and many more.


Frequently asked questions

• Can I Treat Sun Burns Naturally?
• Do Natural Cures Treat Sun Poisoning?
• How To Treat Skin Damaged From Sun Exposure?
• How Can I Treat Food Poisoning?
• In How Long Does Food Poisoning Heal
• What Are The Symptoms Of Food Poisoning?

References

1. Melvin Lewis, Albert J. Solnit, Mary H. Stark, Ira W. Gabrielson, Ethelyn H. Klatskin, AN EXPLORATION STUDY OF ACCIDENTAL INGESTION OF POISON IN YOUNG CHILDREN, Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, Volume 5, Issue 2, April 1966, Pages 255-271, ISSN 0002-7138, 10.1016/S0002-7138(09)62057-4.
2. Andrew J. Goddard, James Dear, Management of the poisoned patient, Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine, Volume 11, Issue 11, November 2010, Pages 490-493, ISSN 1472-0299, 10.1016/j.mpaic.2010.08.011.
3. Christopher P. Holstege, Stephen G. Dobmeier, Laura K. Bechtel, Critical Care Toxicology, Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America, Volume 26, Issue 3, August 2008, Pages 715-739, ISSN 0733-8627, 10.1016/j.emc.2008.04.003.
4. Donald D. Vernon, Martin C. Gleich, POISONING AND DRUG OVERDOSE, Critical Care Clinics, Volume 13, Issue 3, 1 July 1997, Pages 647-667, ISSN 0749-0704, 10.1016/S0749-0704(05)70333-X.