Get help for a poisoning
Two ways to get help for a poison exposure:
If someone may have been poisoned or was exposed to a substance that might not be safe, get help online with webPOISONCONTROL OR call a poison center at 1‑800‑222‑1222 to speak with a poison expert right away. Expert help is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Don't guess. Check to be certain. If you suspect a poisoning, reach out right away for definitive answers. That's why we're here.
1. Online
Use the webPOISONCONTROL online tool to get specific recommendations based on age, substance, amount and symptoms.
2. By phone
Call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for help.
Both options are free and confidential. Both options give you expert answers.
If the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened: Call 911 IMMEDIATELY.
When can I use the webPOISONCONTROL tool?
If you took too much of a medicine, swallowed something that might be poisonous, splashed a product on your eye or skin, inhaled fumes or had a bite or sting, webPOISONCONTROL can help you decide if it's safe to stay home, or if a call to a poison center or visit to an emergency room is required. Use webPOISONCONTROL if the exposed person meets all these criteria:
No life-threatening symptoms. If the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or can’t be awakened, call 911 right away.
Most substances. webPOISONCONTROL can help whether it's a drug or medicine, household product, flower, leaf, berry, seed, bite or sting, injected pharmaceutical or an inhaled gas.
Just one substance. The drug or product can have multiple ingredients, but webPOISONCONTROL doesn't handle simultaneous exposures to multiple drugs or products. We expect to develop the logic needed to address additive effects, soon.
Not self-harm. When the intent is self-harm, immediate evaluation by a healthcare provider, usually in an ER, is always advised.
Age 6 months to 79 years. Special issues arise in the very young or in older adults.
Not pregnant. The tool doesn't address risks to the fetus or the pregnant mom.
Not a pet. Don't use this tool for your pets! Toxicity differs between species.
In August 2016, The American Journal of Emergency Medicine published an article titled "webPOISONCONTROL: can poison control be automated?" The article analyzed the first 9,256 webPOISONCONTROL cases. The study found the app is safe, quick and easy to use. webPOISONCONTROL has now provided expert guidance for 1.2 million poison exposures.
When should I call a poison center instead?
Call your poison center instead if:
Younger than 6 months or older than 79 years
Pregnant
Struggling with self-harm
Exposed to more than one product or substance
A pet is exposed
If this tool doesn't address your problem, or if you'd rather talk to a real person, don't hesitate to call your poison center at 1‑800‑222‑1222 (US only) for immediate and expert assistance. While many people feel empowered by the online triage tool, you may prefer the calming voice of a specialist.
If you call: Poison experts answer 24/7. Your call is free and confidential. There are 53 poison call centers in the US. Your call to 1‑800‑222‑1222 will be routed to the correct poison center based on your location or your area code and exchange. Don't guess what you should do. Call!
Warning!
If the individual collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or can't be awakened: Call 911 IMMEDIATELY.
Not in the US? Use local procedures to call a poison center or summon an ambulance.
But before you call or go online to get help for a possible poisoning, there are some quick first aid measures that make a difference if accomplished within seconds to minutes of the poison exposure. Be familiar with these steps.
First aid for poisoning
SWALLOWED Poisons
Drink a small amount of water or milk immediately if:
The product swallowed is burning, irritating or caustic, AND
The person is conscious, not having convulsions, and able to swallow.
Do not induce vomiting. Ipecac syrup is no longer recommended.
Then, get help from poison experts. There are 2 ways to get help:
Use the webPOISONCONTROL online tool to get specific recommendations based on age, substance, and amount, OR
Call a poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for expert guidance.
in the EYE
It's important to irrigate (rinse) the exposed eyes, immediately.
Every second matters and a delay could result in loss of sight.
Remove contact lenses.
Use lots of room temperature water and irrigate for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
Adults and older children may find it easier to hop in the shower.
Wrap young children in a towel and let water from the faucet in the kitchen sink run over the eye - or slowly pour water from a pitcher. Let the water hit the bridge of the nose and gently run into the eyes rather than pouring the water directly into the eye.
Important: Irrigate for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Encourage blinking.
After the 15 to 20 minute irrigation, let the eye rest while you use the webPOISONCONTROL tool or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for additional help.
If irritation, pain, visual problems, redness, swelling, or tearing persist an hour after irrigation is started, you'll need an urgent ophthalmic exam. That means a trip to an urgicenter or emergency room right away, unless an eye doctor can see you immediately. If the symptoms are severe, don't wait an hour - go straight to an emergency room after irrigating.
on the SKIN
It's important to rinse the exposed skin immediately.
Remove contaminated clothing first (that's clothing with a spill).
Every second matters. Don't delay.
Use lots of room temperature running water and rinse for at least 15 minutes.
For large spills, adults and older children may find it easiest to hop in the shower.
Mild hand soap can be used to remove material that sticks to the skin.
Important: Rinse for at least 15 minutes.
After the 15 minute rinse, use the webPOISONCONTROL tool or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for additional guidance.
If blistering, large or deep burns, pain, redness, or swelling worsen or persist, you will need to see a doctor right away. But first, call a poison center to see whether a trip to an urgicenter or emergency room is urgent or necessary. If the symptoms are severe, go straight to an emergency room after rinsing. Don't wait.
INHALED
It's important to move to fresh air immediately.
Stay away from all toxic fumes and gases.
Thoroughly ventilate the involved area.
After moving to fresh air, use the webPOISONCONTROL tool or call a poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for additional help.
Get expert help
Don’t skip this step! Once you’ve followed the first aid steps above, or while you are following them, either:
Use the webPOISONCONTROL online tool to get specific recommendations based on age, substance, amount and symptoms, OR
Call a poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for expert guidance.
Learn more about these options and about webPOISONCONTROL.
Poisoned? Get expert help.
Don't guess what you should do. Get accurate answers online or by phone. Both ways are free and confidential.
OR
call 1-800-222-1222
Support Us
Your donation to our 501(c)(3) organization enables us to help those who prefer to go online when faced with a poison emergency. Our webPOISONCONTROL online tool and app is a free, confidential, quick and easy way to get expert help. It has guided more than a million users faced with a poison emergency.