Poison
Health Tip #7, 10 October 1996
Two Health Tips ago I shared the story of me having poison oak at the same time as the chicken pox. So I guess it would be fitting to do a Health Tip on poison oak, as well as other non-plant poisonous substances in general.
Poison ivy grows east of the Rocky Mountains and poison sumac grows in the southern swamps and northern wetlands. Mostly we will need to be concerned about poison oak which grows here in the West, usually as a vine, shrub, or small tree. The leaves and trunk have "hair" on them, as do the yellowish berries. Its "urushiol oil" is so potent a toxin that 1-billionth of a gram can cause itching. Here are some remedies that you might take for some relief:
There are many other substances that are potentially toxic to the human body: insecticides, herbicides, animal poisons, fuels, household cleaning liquids, peeling wall paint, pill overdoses, battery acid, some mushrooms, etc. If somebody has ingested a poisonous substance, immediately call 9-1-1 or the poison control center (800-523-2222), and save the container for reference (or, if the poisonous substance is not known, save a vomit sample for future lab analysis). Do not give the person any water, milk, or syrup of ipecac, and don�t induce vomiting, until told to do so by emergency person on the phone. Make sure the person is breathing and treat for shock (see future Health Tips).
Sources of Information:
The Doctor�s Book of Home Remedies, by Sid Kirchheimer, 1993.
The Boy Scout Handbook, 10th Edition, B.S.A., 1990.
Take Care of Yourself, by Donald M. Vickery & James F. Fries, 1996.
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