Learn about Poison

How poisons hurt you

It depends on what the substance is. It also depends on how you come in contact with it. Depending on the substance, a poison might hurt you if you eat it, breathe it in, or get it on your eyes or on your skin. If you think someone has been poisoned, follow first aid instructions and call right away.

Swallowed poisons can hurt you in two ways:
  • If the product is a caustic chemical, it can cause burns to your face, lips, mouth, throat, esophagus (the tube from your throat to your stomach), or stomach. Common examples at home include drain opener, toilet bowl cleaner, oven cleaner, and rust remover.
  • Other products can be absorbed from your stomach into your bloodstream. Then they travel to other parts of your body. Some products and drugs can affect your heart, brain, nervous system, liver, kidneys, or other body organs.

Inhaled poisons can hurt you in several ways:
  • If the product is a caustic chemical, it can cause burns to your face, eyes, nose, throat, or lungs. Mixing cleaning products together is a common cause of this problem.
  • Other products can be absorbed from your lungs into your bloodstream. Then they travel to other parts of your body. They may affect your brain, heart, nervous system, liver, kidneys, or other body organs. A common example at home is carbon monoxide from appliances that are not working correctly: furnaces, hot water heaters, stoves, fire places, wood-burning stoves, and space heaters. Many pesticides can be poisonous if you inhale them. Also, deliberately inhaling solvents and aerosol sprays can cause sudden death. Butane, lighter fluid, gasoline, typewriter correction fluid, and nitrous oxide canisters are just a few of the inhalants which can cause sudden death, even the first time they are abused.

Poisons in your eyes can cause irritation or burns. Almost anything not intended for your eyes can cause irritation. Strong chemicals, including cleaning products, can cause burns.

Poisons on your skin can hurt you in two ways:
  • If the product is a caustic chemical, it can burn your skin. Common examples at home include drain opener, toilet bowl cleaner, and rust remover.
  • Some poisons can be absorbed through your skin, enter your bloodstream, and be carried to other body organs. At home, a common example is pesticides if they are spilled or sprayed on your skin.