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Poisoning Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, February 2009.

Answers to questions about poisoning

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

What animals in the UK are venomous or poisonous?

There are no highly venomous animals in the UK - the only venomous snake is the adder. Some animal bites and stings can cause pain and inflammation. In some people, they can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) requiring immediate medical help.

Explanation

A venomous animal, or insect, is one that produces a toxin that is delivered by stinging or biting; for example snakes and wasps can be venomous. Poisonous animals produce a toxin but have to be eaten or touched to be harmful.

The adder is the only venomous snake in the UK and bites are rarely lethal. Adders aren't aggressive and they only bite as a form of defence. You can identify an adder by the dark zigzag running down the length of the snake and an inverted 'V' shape on the neck. However, some adders are entirely black and can be mistaken for some other species such as grass snakes, smooth snakes and slow worms.

If you think you have been bitten by an adder, go to hospital immediately. Use a splint or sling to stop you from moving the affected area. Don't try to slow the bleeding from the wound and don't try cutting or sucking the wound. Don't try to catch the snake or bring it to the hospital.

Weaver fish are common on sandy beaches and may sting you if you tread on them. If you're stung by a weaver fish, it will be very painful. You should immerse the affected area in very hot (but not scalding) water and you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin. Always read the patient information that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask you pharmacist for advice. The pain usually resolves after two to three days.

Some jelly fish are venomous and may sting you if you touch them. If you're stung by a jelly fish, you should wash off any tentacles that are still attached. Apply a cold compress, such as ice or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, to help reduce any swelling. You shouldn't apply ice directly to your skin as it can damage your skin. You shouldn't use vinegar for treating jelly fish stings in the UK. Instead mix some baking soda in a little water and apply to the affected area.

It's quite common to be bitten or stung by insects. If this happens, you should remove any of the sting still present in the wound by brushing or scraping it off. A credit card edge may be useful for this. Don't use tweezers to remove the sting. Apply a cold compress, such as ice or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, to help reduce swelling. You shouldn't apply ice directly to your skin as it can damage your skin. If your pain and swelling don't go away you should seek medical advice. If you have any problems breathing or swelling to your face, neck, tongue, lips or mouth, you should call for emergency help or go to hospital immediately.

Further information

Sources

  • Adder. Forestry Commission. www.forestry.gov.uk, accessed 4 August 2008
  • Simon C, Everitt H, Kendrick T. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007:544-555; 674
  • Longmore M, Wilkinson IB, Rajagopalan S. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004:830
  • Insect stings. St John Ambulance. www.sja.org.uk, accessed 21 July 2008
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What should I do if I have taken too many paracetamol tablets?

Paracetamol poisoning doesn't always have symptoms. If you or someone you know has taken more than the recommended dose of paracetamol (which is 1g, usually two tablets, every four hours up to a maximum of 4g in 24 hours) you should seek urgent medical attention.

Explanation

Paracetamol poisoning is the most common form of drug poisoning reported to the National Poisons Information Service.

If you have taken too much paracetamol, you may feel sick or vomit but you may not have any symptoms at all. However, there are severe complications of paracetamol poisoning and if left untreated an overdose can lead to liver and kidney failure and eventually death.

If you, or someone you know, has taken an overdose of paracetamol you should seek medical advice immediately. You should be prepared to provide the following information.

  • How many paracetamol tablets you have taken - give the container or packet(s) to the doctor or nurse if you still have them. It's also important to tell him or her if you have taken them all at once or if the overdose has been taken over a period of time (for example, for pain relief) as this will affect your treatment.
  • When your last paracetamol tablet was taken. The timing of a paracetamol overdose will affect any treatment given.
  • Your age and weight.

If you arrive at hospital within one hour of taking the overdose, you may be given something to drink which will help to prevent your body from absorbing any more of the paracetamol. Your doctor or nurse will also need to take a sample of your blood. This is usually taken four hours after the paracetamol overdose.

There is an antidote to treat paracetamol poisoning and if it's given early it can prevent severe complications. You may need to be admitted to hospital for treatment and monitoring. This will depend on:

  • your medical history
  • your blood results
  • the timing of your paracetamol overdose
  • whether your overdose was taken all at once or over a period of time

If you're admitted to hospital, you will need to stay for around 24 hours and have additional blood tests. You will be allowed to go home following treatment once your doctor is happy with your test results.

Further information

Sources

  • Joint Formulary Committee, British National Formulary. 56th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2008:29;229
  • Poisoning or overdose. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 21 July 2008
  • Longmore M, Wilkinson IB, Rajagopalan S. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004:832
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What can I do to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in my home?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas that is produced when certain fuels aren't burnt completely. You should fit CO detectors in your home and make sure that any fuel-burning appliances, such as a gas boiler or wood-burning stove, are serviced annually.

Explanation

CO is a tasteless, odourless gas that is responsible for more than 20 deaths per year in the UK. CO may be produced by appliances that burn fossil fuels (eg gas, coal and oil) if they aren't working correctly.

Symptoms of CO poisoning include:

  • flu-like symptoms (eg headache, feeling sick)
  • dizziness
  • irritability, confusion or memory loss

In severe cases you may:

  • have chest pain
  • difficulty breathing
  • have seizures (fits)
  • lose consciousness

There are some simple measures you can take to prevent CO poisoning.

  • Check the pilot light on your gas boiler: it should burn blue. If it's yellow or orange, switch it off and have it checked.
  • Make sure that all your gas appliances are serviced annually by a CORGI-registered engineer. Watch out for signs of staining, soot or discolouration as this may indicate a problem.
  • Make sure that all other fuel-burning appliances are serviced annually by a professional.
  • Fit CO detectors in your home. You should buy a British Standard approved CO detector that has an alarm. These should be maintained and replaced according to the manufacturers' instructions. Spot detectors aren't recommended as they need to be changed every six months and need to be monitored carefully. If your alarm goes off, turn off all fuel-burning appliances and open all of your doors and windows. You should call a CORGI-registered engineer to check your appliances.

If you live in a flat or a terraced or semi-detached house, make sure that your neighbours have followed the same precautions because CO can travel between properties.

If you think you, or someone you know, are suffering from CO poisoning you should seek urgent medical attention.

Further information

  • Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
    www.rospa.com
  • National Grid Gas Emergency line
    0800 111 999

Sources

  • Prockop LD, Chichkova RI. Carbon monoxide intoxication: an update review. J Neurol Sci 2007; 262:122-130. www.elsevier.com/locate/jns
  • Carbon monoxide - the silent killer. Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). www.rospa.com, accessed 21 July 2008
  • Personal communication, Mr Colin Morris, Home Safety Manager, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), 10 September 2008
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: February 2009

 

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