Treat Absorbed Poison
Important Information
In mild cases, patient's who absorb poison through their skin may have swelling skin, rash, itching, burning or blisters
The symptoms may be delayed; In more serious cases, patient's may also complain of difficulty breathing, fever, headache and weakness
Patient Care; Absorbed Poison
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STOP - Assess and observe the scene; Has the patient come into contact with a poisonous substance?
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THINK - Consider your safety and form action plan; Can the substance harm me?
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ACT - Check responsiveness and Alert EMS
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Conduct an illness assessment and gather information about what, when and how much contact the patient had with the poison
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Carefully remove contaminated clothing and brush off any poison remaining on the skin
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Flush the area with fresh water and wash the skin with soap; Do not allow contaminated water to touch you or the patient
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For caustic chemical substances or if the patient experiences severe symptoms, contact the local Poison Control Centre for further directions
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If EMS is not called, encourage the person to see a doctor; A cold compress may relieve itching