| Children | Adults | Teachers | Medical |
Safe Pestice Use
With summer rapidly approaching, the use of pesticides brings an increase in the number of calls the poison center receives about exposures.
The severity of a pesticide exposure depends on the type of pesticide being used, the route of exposure and the extent of the exposure. Although most exposures cause minimal effects and can be handled at home with proper skin washing and fresh air, some exposures can be life threatening.
Commonly used pesticides in and around the home include herbicides (weed killers), fungicides (fungus killers), rodenticides (rat, mouse, gopher and mole killers) and insecticides (insect killers). Many of these products pose at least some risk to humans or animals because they are designed to kill or control unwanted or disease-causing pests. Something to think about before using these products is the possible effect on your safety, as well as that of your children and pets.
To reduce the possibility and severity of exposure:
If skin exposure occurs, wash the area immediately with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. For an eye exposure, remove contact lenses (if worn) and irrigate eyes for 15 min with tepid tap water. Do not use medicated eye drops or pressurized water.
After following these suggestions, call the poison center at (800) 222-1222 for further instructions. As with any exposure or if any questions before using a product, the Oklahoma Poison Center is available 24 hours a day.
- Marda, R.N., CSPI
Why the Poison Center Specialists Ask So Many Questions
First of all, let us assure you that the Poison Center is not a reporting agency. We are governed by the same privacy regulations that are required by your private physician, laboratory or hospital. So do not be alarmed when you call and are asked a series of questions.
Information is needed for a variety of reasons. Weight is often a significant factor in determining toxicity of a medication. For instance; the toxicity of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, ingredients found in many cough and cold preparations, is determined by the amount ingested based on the weight of the person. This information is crucial to ascertain whether the patient can be safely managed at home or if teatment in a medical facility is necessary.
Age is also important. Through the review of hundreds of calls we have found that two year olds, for instance, are frequently involved in unintentional exposures. The gathering of this type of data is reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers and is used by manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies to research better ways of packaging products for the safety of our children. Age also can be a factor in assessing whether the ingestion was accidental or intentional. This can also be a factor in the way the exposure is managed.
Many exposures require a follow-up by the poison center to determine outcome. This information is valuable in establishing treatment guidelines. This is one of the reasons that we ask for the name of both the caller and patient. Having the patient’s name is an advantage if the poison center is contacted again about the same exposure. It assists in locating the case so the person receiving the following call will be able to determine the situation and what information and recommendations have already been given.
If it is necessary for the poison center specialist to refer a caller to the emergency room, we will notify the medical facility that the poison center was contacted and referred for treatment. This will expedite treatment once the patient has arrived. Again, in this instance it is necessary to have the patient name, age, allergies, medications being taken and the reason for referral so that treatment recommendations can be given
When you call the poison center, do not be alarmed by the questions asked. It is our desire and our purpose to assist you.
- Marda, R.N., CSPI
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
With all the busy preparation for the holidays, as well as friends and family coming to visit, there are a few things to keep in mind during all the hustle and bustle:
The Oklahoma Poison Control Center is available 24 hours a day and provides free, confidential information and treatment advice to Oklahoma residents and health care professionals at 1 (800) 222-1222. The Poison Center Staff would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
- Marda, R.N., CSPI
Black Mold
The Oklahoma Poison Control Center receives calls from time to time from callers who are concerned about the effects of mold or “toxic black mold.” The truth is that almost any mold can be harmful to certain people who are more sensitive to it. Exposure to molds in a home or building may cause allergic reactions such as a rash, asthma type symptoms, allergies, and less often infection. Children and adults who have certain medical conditions or conditions which lower the immune system may be more at risk for harmful effects from mold.
Most people will notice a mold problem when they see mold growing in their home or building or notice a “musty” odor. Generally, molds are dark green to greenish-black in color and will be more likely to grow in areas where there is moisture or humidity. The best thing to do is to prevent mold from growing in your home by reducing the humidity in the air or by cleaning up leaks and spills quickly. However, if mold is already growing, this must be cleaned up in order to prevent any health problems or damage to the home. You should wash mold off of hard surfaces with a mild detergent and water. Surfaces such as ceiling tiles and carpet may have to be replaced. Remember: you must fix the source of the moisture problem to prevent the mold from returning.
For additional questions about mold, go to: http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html or http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/protect.asp or call the Oklahoma Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222.
~ By Kristie, PharmD, BCPS, CSPI
Ticks
Summer, a great time for being outdoors! Unfortunately, it is also an opportune time to bring home little critters that can be dangerous: TICKS.
Ticks can carry a number of diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease and tularemia. The development time of these diseases can range anywhere from one to fourteen days or up to several months (for Lyme Disease). With a tick bite, there is often redness, itching and a lump at the site of the bite which can last for several days. Symptoms may include fever, headache and flu-like symptoms. A rash, usually beginning around wrists and ankles and then spreading to the trunk of the body, can develop in two to six days after onset of fever. To remove the tick, use tweezers if available. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight back.
Check to see that the head of the tick is still intact. Contact a physician for head removal.Do not use a match or use a product such as Vaseline as it will make it more difficult to remove the tick. Masking tape may aid in the removal of seed ticks. Do not handle the tick or crush the body as it may cause the stomach contents to be injected into the wound. Wash the area of the bite thoroughly with soap and water, and wash hands after handling ticks. Watch for signs of infection at the site such as pain, redness, swelling and feeling warm to the touch. Mark the date of the bite on the calendar. If flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, headache, chills, joint or muscle pain, swollen glands or a rash develop within three days to two months, consult a physician.
- Marda, R.N., CSPI
Black Widow Spider
Spring is just arriving and the Oklahoma Poison Control Center has already received several calls from people who have been bitten by Black Widow spiders. Female Black Widows are black, shiny spiders with large, marble-shaped abdomens. Their legs are moderately long and thin. They are NOT fuzzy. One sure way to identify a female Black Widow is by the orange or red hourglass shaped spot on her belly. The male is about half the size of the female and has red or white markings or stripes on its back. The male’s venom is very weak and they are harmless to humans.
The Black Widow’s bite is a sharp pin prick like pain which usually goes away in a few minutes. There may be one or two small puncture wounds which may become warm and slightly reddened. A common effect is a dull aching feeling which appears about 30 minutes later. In a significant exposure muscle pain and cramps generally begin near the site within a couple of hours
and migrate to large muscle groups in the thighs, abdomen or chest depending on the location of the bite. Pain usually peaks in 2 to 3 hours.
More serious symptoms can also include headache, nausea and vomiting, weakness, itching, sweating or difficulty breathing. Any of these symptoms would need to be treated in an Emergency Room
Remember, Black Widow spiders can be found just about anywhere. They can be in debris, in wood piles or anywhere in the garage. They may be hiding under steps or even in some dark corner inside your house. Often, they are seen hanging upside down under a shelf or ladder steps.
Wear gloves when working in areas that have been undisturbed through the winter and be aware of your surroundings. Black Widows are not aggressive spiders, but they will bite when they are disturbed.If you are bitten, call the Oklahoma Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Wash the area with soap and water. Watch for symptoms of infection and consider a Tetanus shot if yours is not current.
The poison center is staffed 24 hours a day by specially trained pharmacists and registered nurses. The Oklahoma Poison Control Center is a program of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy located at the OU Health Sciences Center. In the event of an emergency, individuals can contact the center at 1 (800) 222-1222. To learn more about ways to help prevent poisonings, visit www.oklahomapoison.org
- Marda, R.N., CSPI
Eye Exposures
Eye exposures occur frequently such as when a household product, insecticide or automobile product accidentally splashes or blows into someone’s eye. When this happens, the PCC recommends irrigating the affected eye(s) first and then call the Poison Center.
Irrigation Procedure:
Lay the victim down (if a small child, wrap in a towel or blanket to help control their movements.)
If the victim is wearing contact lenses, remove them.
Hold eye open with thumb and forefinger.
Using room temperature tap water, pour a gentle stream on the bridge of the
nose allowing the water to run across the eye and down the side of the face. If both eyes are involved, alternate during process. Never use water under pressure such as from a shower head or sink sprayer.
Using this method, irrigate for 15 minutes.
Allow eye to rest an additional 15 minutes and call the poison center for further evaluation.
DO NOT use medicated eye drops or pressurized water. Cupping water into the eye does not provide adequate rinsing.
CSPI TIP: A good product for eye irrigation is Saline Solution for contact lenses. This saline solution is similar to human tears. It is inexpensive and easy to use because like eye drops, can be easily controlled and is not as messy or traumatic as pouring water.
- Marda, R.N., CSPI
Photo by hoover@creative commons
10 Good Reasons to Call the Poison Control Center
People may wonder what sort of calls we get here at the Poison Control Center. While we hope you never need to call us, there are times when you may need some advice from our highly trained staff of pharmacists and nurses. Here are some reasons why you may need to call:
1. Your child has been chewing on a plug-in air freshener and is now crying.
Some of these products can cause a lot of irritation. Call us and we’ll tell you what to do.
2. You took an extra dose of your medication by mistake.
Sometimes this can be a problem. Give us a call and we’ll tell you what to watch out for.
3. You splashed a chemical in your eye and don’t know what to do next.
This can be very dangerous in some cases. We’ll tell you what to do and if you need a doctor’s attention.
4. You found your dog eating rat poison. Dogs can easily eat a toxic amount of this. We’ll tell you what to do next.
5. You heard about a recall for a food product and you remember that you ate some of it. This seems to be
happening a lot lately. We’ll help you identify the recalled product and let you know what signs and symptoms to look for.
6. You mixed some cleaning products and the combination formed an irritating gas. Call us and we’ll help you clear the air. Please remember to read the label first before using any product!
7. Your baby ate a mouthful of diaper rash ointment.
Some babies will eat whatever they can reach. We can tell you if this is going to be a problem.
8. You sprayed pesticide and now you are itching all over.
Pesticides can be very dangerous. Call us and we can tell you what to do. When using any pesticide, follow the instructions carefully.
9. You took the dog’s heart worm pill by mistake.
Don’t feel silly, sometimes these things happen. We will tell you if it is going to be a problem.
10. Your toddler got into grandma’s pill box and you think there are some pills missing.
This can be extremely dangerous! Don’t take any chances. Call us right away and we will tell you what to do next.
Of course there are hundreds of other reasons to call us too. Maybe you just want a magnet with our phone number on it to put on your refrigerator. Give us a call and we will help out in any way we can. We are always open and your call is always free.
By Hester, DPh, SPI
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Winter is upon us again! With all the ice and freezing temperatures which have blown our way already this year, many people are looking for ways to keep themselves warm when their electricity goes out. During this time of year, we get many calls regarding carbon monoxide exposure, which is one of most common causes of poisoning death.
The following is a list of tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
Mild symptoms of carbon monoxide include nausea, headache, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, flushing and confusion, among others. If you suspect yourself or someone else has been exposed or is having symptoms, get them to fresh air right away. Call 911 or take them to the emergency room. To prevent multiple exposures, keep all people and pets away from the area until it has been thoroughly ventilated and the source of exposure is known and contained.
If you have any questions regarding carbon monoxide, please call the Oklahoma Poison Control Center @ 1-800- 222-1222.
- By Kimberly, PA, CSPI
Pets and Poisoning
Did you know that every day household products, plants and prescription medications can be harmful to your pets? The eating habits of dogs and cats differ from humans: making them more likely to ingest more of a harmful substance than a human would. For instance, dogs will often eat whatever amount is presented to them, even if they are full. Puppies will chew on almost anything, regardless of taste or texture. Cats will groom themselves and eat substances on their paws or fur.
Some common poisonous substances are listed below:
Household Products |
Plants |
Medications |
Foods |
Pesticides |
Lilies |
Narcotics (including used patches) |
Sugar-free Gum |
Rat and Mouse Bait |
Oleander |
Acetaminophen |
Chocolate |
Slug and Snail Bait |
Tulips |
Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) |
Grapes |
Fly Bait |
Castor Bean (ricin) |
Warfarin (blood thinners) |
Macadamia Nuts |
Cocoa Mulch |
Yew |
Diet Pills |
|
Mothballs |
Azalea |
Vitamins with Iron |
|
Antifreeze |
Peace Lily |
||
Batteries |
|||
The Oklahoma Poison Control Center answered over 130 calls throughout the month of July involving animal poisonings. Our poison Information Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pet owners are encouraged to call the Animal Poison Control Center, operated by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), at 888-426-4435 or visit their web site for tips on poison proofing your home, toxic substances and what to do if your pet is poisoned.
- By Kristie, PharmD, BCPS, CSPI
A Certified Specialist in Poison Information (CSPI) is a pharmacist, nurse, or physician who has passed a national certification exam sponsored by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Qualifications to take the certification exam include having worked in a poison center for at least one year and managed at least 2,000 human exposure cases.
trained in toxicology or poisoning. All specialists in poison information must complete a training program
approved by the MedicalDirector and must be certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers as a Specialist in Poison Information.