Insecticide

Home treatment:

If the product is on the skin, wash area thoroughly for at least 15 minutes. If the person swallowed the insecticide, induce emesis (vomiting) if the insecticide is not in a petroleum solvent, and the person is conscious and not experiencing convulsions. Mouth to mouth resuscitation may be necessary if the person stops breathing. Before inducing emesis, contact Poison Control to verify that is what should be done.

If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult. Follow with 1/2 glass or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

Before calling emergency:

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the person to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Establish and maintain airway.
• Wash areas of the skin exposed to the insecticide.
• Use gastric lavage.
• Induce emesis.
• Give an antidote.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Continued improvement of symptoms over the first 4 to 6 hours under proper medical care usually indicates that recovery will occur. Although the symptoms are the same for carbamate and organophosphate, the carbamate has a more favorable outcome.