First Aid for Poisonings

Poisons on the Skin

• Rinse well with water.
• Use a mild soap if needed.
• Do not attempt to neutralize an acid substance with an alkali. It will cause burns.
• Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.

Poisons in the Eye

• Rinse for 15 minutes with a gentle stream of water over the eye(s).
• Do not use eye drops or ointment.
• Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.

Inhaled Poisons

• Get in the fresh air.
• If a person has fainted, has chest pain or difficulty breathing, call 911.
• Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.

Poisons in the Mouth

• Offer sips of water.
• Do not force a person to vomit.
• Brush out dry particles from the mouth if possible.
• Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.

Syrup of Ipecac

• This is a medicine used to make a poisoned victim vomit.
• IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR EVERY POISONING.
• CALL THE POISON CENTER BEFORE USING !
• Syrup of Ipecac is so rarely used that we no longer advise parents to keep it at home.

Activated Charcoal

• This medicine is used in hospitals to bind up some poisons and prevent absorption.
• We currently do not recommend it for home use.