Myth & Fact About Poisoning

Milk is not a remedy or antidote for poisons, nor does it protect the stomach from an ingested chemical or toxin. Other myths include having a person eat burned toast, raw eggs or mustard. None of these are a remedy. Forcing someone to vomit is the wrong thing to do. Potentially more serious medical problems can occur from the act of vomiting than from the potential poison, especially if substances make their way into the lungs — a common complication of vomiting. Call the poison control center first to find out the best way to treat the individual. There are some first aid measures for poisonings that make a difference if accomplished within seconds to minutes of a poison exposure. If the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, call poison control for instructions and should immediately get medical help from hospital.