First aid for food poisoning

Acute poisoning is the fourth most common accident on the list, behind only street injuries, burns and drowning. Poisoning occurs by direct contact of the mucous membrane or skin with a toxic substance. In 92% of cases, household poisonings are noted, which are divided into domestic accidents, alcohol intoxication, as well as those that are deliberately undertaken with the aim of suicide. Read the article on how to help a person with food poisoning.

Types of food poisoning

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common with food poisoning, but more serious side effects can occur.

The onset of symptoms of bacterial food poisoning occurs within an hour after poor quality food has been consumed. So, there may be colic in the abdomen, vomiting and diarrhea.

Viral food poisoning is accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In addition, headaches, chills, and fever may occur.

In case of chemical food poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, dizziness, and pressure in the eyeball area occur 30 minutes after eating the contaminated food. Also, with this type of poisoning, increased salivation, confusion and pain in the abdomen occur.

Immediately call an ambulance if:

• the victim has symptoms of botulism: partial loss of vision or speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, muscle paralysis and vomiting, muscle weakness;
• poisoning was due to the use of mushrooms;
• there are symptoms of chemical food poisoning such as dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, pressure in the eyeball, abdominal pain, confusion;
• vomiting and diarrhea do not stop for two days;
• a child, an elderly person or a person with a weakened immune system has been poisoned.

First aid for food poisoning

Give the poisoned person plenty of water to drink to induce vomiting. You can use both a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and ordinary, slightly salted water.

A person should drink about a liter of liquid, after which it is necessary to induce a gag reflex by pressing a finger on the root of the tongue. This procedure should be repeated until clear water begins to come out of the stomach.

After the gastric lavage is completed, the victim can be given an absorbent that will absorb the toxic substances, so that they will be removed from the body.

To remove toxins that have managed to get into the blood, you should drink a lot, ideally – mineral still water. Such drugs as human-electrolyte or rehydron will help to restore the lost balance to the body.

If such measures prove futile, a doctor should be called.

How to avoid food poisoning:

• avoid eating undercooked meat and soft-boiled eggs;
• during cooking, particles of raw food of animal origin must not fall on other foodstuffs;
• meat, seafood, eggs, poultry and milk should not be stored at room temperature;
• After handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs, use antibacterial agents to wash hands, knives, and cutting boards;
• Raw vegetables and fruits should be washed as thoroughly as possible, especially if they will not be thermally processed;
• every animal contract must end with handwashing with soap and water.

Source estet-portal.com