What is Wood Stains Poisoning?
- Wood stains are synthetic coloring solvents/agents that are used to color or coat wood
- Wood Stains Poisoning is the accidental or intentional intake (via swallowing, breathing-in, or skin contact) of wood stains
- The condition is diagnosed based upon the clinical history, combination of signs and symptoms, and additional tests (that may include, in some cases, radiological studies and laboratory tests)
Wood Stains Poisoning may be also referred to as Wood Stains Toxicity.
What are the Causes of Wood Stains Poisoning?
- Wood Stains Poisoning is caused by swallowing or ingestion of wood stains. An exposure may also occur following inhalation of the chemical vapors, or if it gets sprayed into the eye
- This intake could be accidental, or in some cases intentional, to bring self-harm
- Wood stains typically consists of pigments, solvents, and binders. These may include an alcohol base, petroleum distillate, varnish agent, polyurethane, certain hydrocarbons (alkanes), and sodium hydroxide. Some of these compounds are toxic to humans
Note: The compound can interact with other prescribed or non-prescribed medications in the body. Such interactions may enhance the therapeutic effects of other medications being taken, resulting in undesired side effects.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Wood Stains Poisoning?
The signs and symptoms of Wood Stains Poisoning can vary from one individual to another. It may be mild in some and severe in others. Several systems of the body, such as the digestive system, nervous system, vascular system, respiratory system, skin and ENT may be affected.
The signs and symptoms of Wood Stains Poisoning may include:
- Burning and associated pain in the mouth, throat, and food-pipe; this may affect the nose, ears, and eyes
- Throat inflammation may cause difficulty in swallowing, breathing
- Respiratory difficulties, which may be severe if the chemical is inhaled
- Skin burns that may even cause perforation of the skin tissue
- Vision abnormalities including loss of vision
- Nausea, vomiting (blood in vomit may be seen)
- Bloody stools
- Stomach and abdominal pain that may be severe and cramping
- Sudden reduction in blood pressure (hypotension)
- Feeling dizzy
- Collapse
- Severe brain injury can occur
How is First Aid administered for Wood Stains Poisoning?
First Aid tips for Wood Stains Poisoning:
- Call 911 or your local emergency help number immediately, for emergency assistance
- Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 (or your local poison control center) for further instructions
- Provide them with information such as the compound taken, quantity and time of ingestion, age, weight and general health status of affected individual
- Carefully remove the individual from the exposure area; move them to region of fresh air immediately
- Confirm that the airways are protected; also, ensure breathing and the presence of pulse
- Unless instructed by a healthcare professional, DO NOT induce vomiting in the affected individual
- Otherwise, following an ingestion of the substance, immediately give milk or water to drink
- If eye exposure has occurred, then wash the eye thoroughly with copious amounts of water (for about 15 minutes)
- Take individual to emergency room (ER) for further treatment
- Always try to take the compound bottle/container to the ER
The emergency medical professional might perform the following steps towards treating the condition:
- Monitor vital signs
- Medically manage symptoms and provide breathing support, if necessary
- Gastric lavage for elimination of the substance from the stomach (irrigation using special solutions)
- Administer fluids by an intravenous drip line, if necessary
- Wash skin and eyes repeatedly and thoroughly (irrigation), to eliminate any remaining hazardous compound
- Following this, a suitable skin or eye ointment may be used to treat the exposure
- Surgical treatment for skin burns including removal of burnt skin
- Kidney dialysis, if necessary
Who should administer First Aid for Wood Stains Poisoning?
First aid for Wood Stains Poisoning is administered by healthcare professionals.
- The individual who is affected, or someone near, should call 911 for emergency assistance (or the local emergency number)
- They should also call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 (or the local poison control center) and follow instructions
What is the Prognosis of Wood Stains Poisoning?
- The prognosis of Wood Stains Poisoning is dependent on the amount of substance consumed, time between consumption and treatment, severity of the symptoms, as well as general health status of the patient
- If the individual can recover from the symptoms, with appropriate medication and early support, the outcome can be good. In case of complications, such as aspiration of the substance into the lungs, the prognosis may be adversely affected
- Generally, wood stains are dangerous substances to swallow. Their poisoning effect may be severe and multiple organ systems of the body may be affected; also, the damaging effect of the liquid may continue long after exposure is ceased
In general, toxicities are common situations in the emergency departments. A majority of the cases are often not fatal, when appropriate treatment is given.
How can Wood Stains Poisoning be Prevented?
Wood Stains Poisoning can be prevented by:
- Always following instructions for usage of any household products
- Keep all poisons correctly labeled and in suitable storage locations
- Wearing appropriate protective wear when working with such chemicals
- Keeping any poisonous/hazardous chemicals and other materials out of children’s reach
- Being aware of basic first aid steps in case of an emergency (such as inadvertent poisoning)
What are certain Crucial Steps to be followed?
- Call 911 (or your local emergency number) for emergency assistance, if necessary
- Call Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 (or the local poison control center) and follow the recommend steps
- It would be helpful if the following information is readily available:
- Type, amount and time of consumption of the substance
- Age and weight of the individual
- And, the overall health status of the individual
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