Cyanide poisoning is a rare but potentially life-threatening form of poisoning. Generally, cyanide prevents the body from using life-sustaining oxygen by preventing cells from using oxygen to make energy molecules.
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You cannot treat cyanide poisoning at home and requires immediate medical attention. Furthermore, you can prevent cyanide poisoning through precautions such as strict safety regulations in work, home fire precautions, and keeping chemicals away from children and pet reach.
Depending on the form of the compound that causes cyanide poisoning, exposure occurs via inhalation, ingestion, dermal absorption, or parenteral administration.
Common sources of cyanide poisoning
- Fires, inhaling the smoke coming from burning substances such as rubber, plastic, and silk can produce cyanide fumes which lead to cyanide poisoning if inhaled.
- Industries that make use of cyanide such as photography, chemical research, synthetic plastics and fibers, pesticides, metal processing, and electroplating
- A compound known as laetrile, which is advertised as a cancer treatment
- Lastly, cigarette smoking
Signs and symptoms
- At first, weakness
- Enlarged or small pupils
- Confusion
- Excessive drooling
- Bizarre behavior
- Hyperactivity
- Excessive sleepiness
- Pain
- Coma
- Dry mouth
- In addition, a fast or slow pace of breathing
- Headaches
- Dry skin
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Seizures
- A fast or slow heart rate
- Lastly, discoloration of the skin to a pinkish or reddish color
Since cyanide poisoning is a rare kind of poisoning, people who are susceptible for cyanide poisoning are those who work in industrial environments that use cyanide or those who deliberately try to commit suicide using cyanide.
For most people, cyanide poisoning is due to smoke inhalation from fires or ingestion of a compound that contains cyanide. Generally, it is difficult to determine if someone was under exposure to cyanide and experiencing cyanide poisoning. In addition, if you suspect exposure to cyanide, it is best to contact a medical professional immediately. If the victim is not in danger, however, you can contact your local poison control center for assistance.
Management
Cyanide poisoning is treatable and can be cured if detected early and the treatment has started immediately. Generally, if you’ve rescued the person, you will be questioned on what happened to the victim, if any bottles that potentially caused the poisoning were lying around, and if the person had any previous underlying medical or psychiatric illness.
Furthermore, blood tests, x-ray scans, and other procedures will be necessary to try to determine if cyanide poisoning is present, how severe the poisoning is and if there are any other poisonings in the body.
Disclaimer / More Information
The material posted on this page on cyanide poisoning is for learning purposes only. Learn to recognize the indications by taking a first aid and CPR class with one of our training providers.
FACT CHECK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanide_poisoning
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/814287-overview
https://www.healthline.com/health/cyanide-poisoning