Published: 18 Jun 2025

ICD9: 977.9      ICD10: T50.901A      ICD11: NE6Z

"Poisoning" generally refers to the act of administering or exposing someone (or something) to a substance that is harmful or fatal.
It can occur in many ways, and the consequences can range from mild illness to death. Here's a breakdown of different aspects of poisoning:

Definition:

Basic Definition: Introducing a harmful substance into the body or environment.

Types of Poisoning:

Accidental Poisoning: Unintentional exposure to a toxic substance. This is common in young children who might ingest household products or medications.
Intentional Poisoning: Deliberate use of a poison to harm or kill someone. This includes:
Suicide Attempts: Overdosing on medications or ingesting other toxic substances.
Homicide: Using poison as a weapon to kill someone.
Terrorism: Using poisons to cause mass casualties.
Occupational Poisoning: Exposure to toxic substances in the workplace.
Environmental Poisoning: Contamination of the environment with toxic substances, affecting humans, animals, and ecosystems. This includes things like:
Water Contamination: Pollution of water sources with pesticides, industrial waste, or heavy metals.
Air Pollution: Exposure to toxic chemicals in the air.
Soil Contamination: Pollution of soil with heavy metals, pesticides, or industrial waste.

Routes of Exposure:

Ingestion: Swallowing a toxic substance (e.g., cleaning products, medications, poisonous plants).
Inhalation: Breathing in a toxic substance (e.g., carbon monoxide, fumes, gases, aerosols).
Absorption: Contact with skin or mucous membranes (e.g., pesticides, corrosive chemicals).
Injection: Introduction of a toxic substance directly into the bloodstream (e.g., drug overdose, venomous bites/stings).

Common Poisons:

The list of potential poisons is vast, but some common categories include:

Medications: Prescription and over-the-counter drugs can be toxic in excessive doses.
Household Products: Cleaning supplies, pesticides, antifreeze, and drain cleaners.
Industrial Chemicals: Solvents, acids, bases, and heavy metals.
Pesticides: Insecticides, herbicides, and rodenticides.
Venom: From snakes, spiders, insects, and other animals.
Plants: Some plants are poisonous if ingested or if their sap comes into contact with the skin.
Gases: Carbon monoxide, cyanide, and chlorine.
Heavy Metals: Lead, mercury, arsenic.
Food Poisoning: Toxins produced by bacteria or other microorganisms in contaminated food.

Symptoms of Poisoning:

Symptoms vary greatly depending on the substance, the dose, the route of exposure, and the individual's health. Some common symptoms include:

Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Difficulty breathing
Dizziness
Headache
Seizures
Loss of consciousness
Skin irritation or burns
Changes in heart rate or blood pressure

Treatment of Poisoning:

Treatment depends on the type of poison, the route of exposure, and the severity of the poisoning. Common treatments include:

Decontamination: Removing the poison from the body or environment. This may involve washing the skin, irrigating the eyes, or inducing vomiting (only under medical supervision).
Activated Charcoal: Binds to some poisons in the stomach and prevents them from being absorbed.
Antidotes: Specific medications that counteract the effects of certain poisons.
Supportive Care: Providing treatment for symptoms, such as respiratory support, blood pressure management, and seizure control.

Prevention of Poisoning:

Store medications and household products out of reach of children.
Read and follow product labels carefully.
Never mix cleaning products.
Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Be aware of poisonous plants in your area.
Properly store and dispose of pesticides.
Educate children about the dangers of poisons.

Important Considerations:

Time is critical in poisoning situations. Seek medical help immediately if you suspect someone has been poisoned.
Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a medical professional or poison control center.
If possible, identify the substance involved in the poisoning. This will help medical professionals determine the best course of treatment.

If you suspect someone has been poisoned, immediately contact your local poison control center or emergency services (911 in the US). Have information ready such as the person's age, weight, and condition, the name of the substance (if known), and how the exposure occurred.