Household Chemical Poisoning

If at home there is accidental contact with cleaning products, insecticides, or other household chemicals, it is best to act quickly: household chemical poisoning is the harm these substances cause when swallowed, inhaled, or coming into contact with the skin and eyes.

Warning signs: nausea, vomiting, burning in the mouth or throat, cough, difficulty breathing, eye or skin irritation, drowsiness, or confusion.

When to see a doctor? With any significant exposure, especially in children, it is a situation that requires urgent care. The emergency physician handles these acute cases; the internist and the general practitioner take part in the evaluation, and the pediatrician when it involves children.

Keep products out of the reach of children and, in the event of an exposure, seek medical help without delay.