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Poisoning: First aid
What to do while waiting for help
Take the following actions until help arrives:
- Swallowed poison. Remove anything remaining in the person's mouth. If the suspected poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the container's label and follow instructions for accidental poisoning.
- Poison on the skin. Remove any contaminated clothing using gloves. Rinse the skin for 15 to 20 minutes in a shower or with a hose.
- Poison in the eye. Gently flush the eye with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes or until help arrives.
- Inhaled poison. Get the person into fresh air as soon as possible.
- If the person vomits, turn his or her head to the side to prevent choking.
- Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as moving, breathing or coughing.
- Call Poison Help at 800-222-1222 in the United States or your regional poison control for additional instructions.
- Have somebody gather pill bottles, packages or containers with labels, and any other information about the poison to send along with the ambulance team.