Cyanide Poisoning | Medtick

Cyanide Poisoning

What is it?

A condition that develops when you inhale, touch, or swallow cyanide.

  • Cyanide is a poisonous chemical gas that prevents your body from absorbing oxygen.
  • The lack of oxygen in your blood can lead to severe respiratory conditions and then can damage your organs and be life-threatening.

Cause

  • Factories that make plastics, paper, jewellery, or textiles
  • In the soil, either naturally or from industrial processes
  • Smoke from a fire or cigarette, or exhaust from a car

Symptoms

  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Balance and dizziness problems?
  • Confusion?
  • Irritated, depressed, anxiety and/or panic attack?
  • Sickness or nausea feeling?
  • Sweet almond breath?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
  • Shortness of breath/ breathing difficulties and/or rapid breathing?
  • Chest pain?
  • Rapid/fast heartbeat?
  • Cherry red skin to dark skin patches forming (can be over a large area)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:


While you wait for an ambulance:

  • Do not make yourself vomit if you have swallowed cyanide.
    • Cyanide in your vomit could contaminate others, or damage your airway.
  • Remove and bag all items on your body, including clothes, contacts or glasses, and jewellery.
    • Try not to touch affected items with bare hands, or try to touch only a small part of each item. Put affected items into a bag.
    • Put the bagged items into another bag.
    • Let emergency responders take care of the bags.
    • Do not put affected contacts back in, even if they have been rinsed.
    • Eyeglasses can be washed and worn again.
  • Wash your hair and body for 20 minutes with soap and water, and rinse thoroughly.
    • Rinse your eyes with water for 5-15 minutes if they have been exposed to cyanide.

Detailed Information

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