TL;DR:
If you think someone has been poisoned, knowing who to call is essential. Poison Control can help with many suspected poisonings and tell you what to do next. But if the person is unconscious, having trouble breathing, having a seizure, or showing other life-threatening symptoms, call 911 immediately. Acting quickly before symptoms get worse can help save a life.
Poisoning can happen in a number of different ways; it can be touched, breathed in, ingested, or injected. Common causes of poisoning include mistakes while taking medication (such as opioids), household cleaners, chemicals, carbon monoxide, pesticides, drugs, plants, and personal-care products.
Sometimes, poison exposure can be managed with expert advice and careful monitoring. However, in many cases it requires prompt medical care. Depending on the situation, you will need to know whether or not to contact 911 or Poison Control.
Call 911 for Life-Threatening Symptoms
If the person is experiencing a serious or life-threatening reaction, then you need to call 911.
Emergency warning signs include:
- Difficult, slow, or no breathing
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Inability to wake the person
- Seizures
- Severe confusion or unusual behavior
- Blue, gray, or very pale lips or skin
- Severe chest pain
- Choking, gasping, or gurgling sounds
- Sudden weakness, loss of coordination, or difficulty speaking
Also, call 911 if you suspect the following:
- Opiod overdose
- Intentional poisoning or self-harm
Don’t waste time trying to figure out the substance yourself. Call 911, and emergency dispatchers can talk you through the process while you wait for help.
If the person is not breathing and you know CPR, begin CPR. Use an automated external defibrillator, or AED, if one is available.
For a suspected opioid overdose, give naloxone (Narcan) if it is available. Even if the victim becomes responsive after being given naloxone, call 911 anyway, since the effect of naloxone is only temporary.
When to Call Poison Control
In the United States, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 when someone may have been exposed to a poison but does not have life-threatening symptoms. The service is free and confidential, and they can help tell you what to do over the phone.
Call Poison Control when:
- A child swallows medicine, vitamins, cosmetics, or another household product
- Someone takes an extra dose of medication
- Someone takes two different drugs that may have a bad interaction
- Someone ingests part of a plant or mushroom, or an unknown chemical substance
- Making contact with poisonous chemicals like pesticides, cleaners or others
- Splashing a substance into the eyes
- Breathing in large amounts of fumes from cleaning products, paint, fuel, or chemicals
- Eating spoiled or potentially contaminated food
- Being bitten or stung by a possibly venomous creature
- If someone accidentally swallows nicotine products or cannabis
- Or if a child drinks alcohol
You should call poison control even if the person in question feels fine. Poisoning can have delayed effects.
Poison Control will ask about the substance, amount, time of exposure, symptoms, and the person’s age and weight. The specialist may tell you to monitor the person at home, provide first aid, contact a doctor, or go to an emergency department.
Immediate First Aid for Poisoning
The correct response depends on how someone was poisoned.
Swallowed Poison
- Remove any foreign substances in the person’s mouth.
- Do not make the person vomit.
- Do not give activated charcoal, syrup of ipecac, food, milk, or home remedies unless instructed.
- Call Poison Control immediately.
- Keep the container, package, or medication bottle nearby.
Do not try to “neutralize” a chemical with vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, or another substance. Mixing chemicals can make the injury worse.
Poison in the Eyes
- Remove contact lenses when possible, as they can trap poisonous substances in the eye.
- Rinse the eye with room-temperature running water for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
- Encourage the person to blink to stimulate tears.
- Do not use eye drops unless.
- Call Poison Control after rinsing begins.
Seek emergency medical care for severe pain, vision changes, swelling, or continued irritation.
Poison on the Skin
- Remove any contaminated clothing and jewelry.
- Avoid touching the chemical with bare hands.
- Rinse the skin with running water for at least 15 minutes.
- Do not scrub the skin or apply creams. Scrubbing can cause further damage depending on what chemicals are on the skin.
- Call Poison Control for further instructions.
Call 911 for serious chemical burns, widespread exposure, breathing problems, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
Inhaled Poison
Examples include carbon monoxide, smoke, chemical fumes, and gases.
- If it’s safe, move the person to fresh air as soon as possible.
- Do not enter an enclosed or contaminated area without proper protection.
- Open doors or windows if this can be done safely.
- Call poison control once reaching fresh air.
Multiple people developing headaches, nausea, dizziness, or confusion in the same building may indicate carbon monoxide exposure. Everyone should leave the building and call 911 from outside.
Information to Have Ready
When calling Poison Control or 911, provide:
- The person’s age and approximate weight
- The name of the substance
- The amount involved, if known
- The time the exposure occurred
- How the exposure happened
- Current symptoms
- Any first aid already given
- The person’s medical conditions and medications
Keep the product container, label, or remaining pills available. Do not risk further exposure to retrieve them.
Act Quickly and Avoid Guessing
Not every poison exposure requires an ambulance, but every suspected poisoning deserves prompt attention. Call 911 for severe symptoms, breathing problems, unconsciousness, seizures, opioid overdose, or intentional poisoning. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for expert guidance when the person is awake, breathing normally, and not showing life-threatening symptoms.
When uncertain, make the call. Getting professional advice is safer than waiting for symptoms to develop.