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Poison Control is here to help if you swallow or come in contact with something that might be poisonous. Don't wait for symptoms to develop. Contact Poison Control immediately! Before you contact us, there are first aid measures that make a difference if accomplished within seconds to minutes of the poison exposure. Be familiar with these steps.
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If the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened: Call 911 IMMEDIATELY. Before you contact Poison Control, whether by phone or online, there are some quick first aid measures that make a difference if accomplished within seconds to minutes of the poison exposure. Be familiar with the first aid steps for swallowed poisons and poisons in the eye, on the skin, or inhaled (breathed in). SWALLOWED PoisonsDrink a small amount of water or milk immediately, before getting Poison Control assistance, if:
Poisons in the EYE, on the SKIN, or INHALED:
Call 1-800-222-1222 or HELP ME online Call 1-800-222-1222 or HELP ME online
Key facts
IMPORTANT: Call triple zero (000) if someone stops breathing, collapses, has a seizure or a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), or has been exposed to a harmful substance. If possible, provide immediate first aid. What is poisoning?Poisoning occurs when someone is sufficiently exposed to a substance that can cause illness, injury or death. A poison can be any substance that causes harm in sufficient amounts, including:
Poisoning can occur when people inhale, swallow, eat, inject or expose their skin to a large enough quantity of the substance. Most cases of accidental medicine-related poisoning in Australia happen at home. Poisoning is a frequent occurrence: Australian Poison Information Centres respond to more than 160,000 cases of poisoning each year (which equates to about one in every 145 Australians). What are the symptoms of poisoning?Symptoms of poisoning differ between types of poison, how much the person took or was exposed to, the person’s age and size, and their general health. Some symptoms to watch for include:
Call the Poisons Information Line on 13 11 26 if you think you or someone near you has been exposed to poison. There is no need to wait until symptoms appear. Call triple zero (000) immediately if someone stops breathing, slips into a coma, has a seizure (fit) or a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. What causes poisoning?Common sources of poisoning include:
Poison Information Centre warnings include certain other household products, such as camphor blocks, chest rubs and vapouriser fluids, and naphthalene (moth balls and flakes). Children are more at risk of poisoning than adults because their skin is thinner and they have a higher breathing rate. Young children aged 1 to 3 years are most at risk. Poisoning often occurs when substances are not stored in a secure area — just after purchase, when in use, while moving house, or at other people’s homes. When should I seek help?Call triple zero (000) if someone stops breathing, collapses, has a seizure (fit) or a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), or has been exposed to a harmful substance. If calling triple zero (000) does not work on your mobile try calling 112 or take the person to the closest emergency department. Early treatment can save a life. If there are no symptoms but you suspect poisoning, call 13 11 26 (Poisons Information Centre) to speak with a poisons expert. You can call 24 hours a day from anywhere in Australia. FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services. What first aid should I give for suspected poisoning?If the person has collapsed, stopped breathing, is having a seizure or suffering an anaphylactic reaction, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Otherwise, follow the first aid instructions for suspected poisoning below: For swallowed poison:
For inhaled poison:
For skin exposure to poison:
For eye exposure to poison:
How is poisoning diagnosed?A doctor will need to work out how harmful the poison is and manage it accordingly. They may ask you:
They may do blood tests to confirm or rule out common substances such as paracetamol. How is poisoning treated?If the person is admitted to hospital, staff will check their airway, breathing, blood pressure and heart rate and try to keep them in a conscious state. They will treat any symptoms and try to remove or counteract the poison. If the substance is known, the doctor may prescribe an antidote. There are many different kinds of antidotes, depending on the specific poison. Don’t rely on antidote charts online or in books, or advice from friends and relatives, since their information may be out of date. The Poisons Information Centre will provide the most up-to-date treatment advice. In cases where the poisoning was intentional (such as a drug overdose), the person may be referred to mental health services for extra support. How can I help prevent poisoning?Inside the house:
When handling medicines:
In the garden or shed:
To help children understand about poisons:
Other tips:
For more ideas on setting up a safer home for you and others, see The Children’s Hospital and Westmead’s checklist. Are there complications of poisoning?Complications of poisoning vary depending on the substance. Paracetamol overdose can lead to liver damage, or in some cases, death. Some substances can be harmful even in small doses, and may cause complications such as seizures, organ failure and coma. If not managed quickly, poisoning may cause permanent damage or death. Other poisons may only show effects over time. For example, extended exposure to carbon monoxide can cause permanent brain injury. Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about your exposure to a substance, especially if it is ongoing or long-term, such as in your workplace. Resources and supportFor more information and support, try these resources: Other languagesDo you prefer to read languages other than English? Health Translations Victoria has poisoning prevention tips in 11 languages including Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Farsi and Vietnamese. |