When To Call Poison Control Help Line?

In a situation where you suspect you or someone around you has come into contact with poison, it can be stressful to decide whether medical attention is necessary. When to call poison control? The answer is simple: contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison center if you or someone around you comes into contact with a poison.

What substances are considered poisons?

Anything someone eats, breathes, gets in their eyes or on their skin that can potentially cause sickness or death is considered to be a poison. Specialists answering the Poison Help line can assist with substances ranging from plants found in nature, like poison ivy or wild mushrooms, to household items like paint and cleaners, to medications.They are even there to help with snake and bug bites, food poisoning, and accidental ingestion of drugs like marijuana edibles.

When to call the Poison Help line

Any time you think someone has come into contact with poison, it is appropriate to contact your local poison center. For example, if you think you have taken a medication incorrectly, your child splashed a product on their skin or in their eyes, or when fumes may have been inhaled, it’s time to get in touch with your Poison Center. Calling the Poison Help line or visiting poisonhelp.org can help determine in minutes if the person can safely stay at home, or if they need to get emergency treatment from a doctor.

Every scenario is different. If you are in doubt, it’s always best to contact the Poison Help line!

What happens when you call the Poison Help line

The Poison Control Helpline is free, confidential, and staffed 24/7 with medical professionals, such as nurses and pharmacists, who are specially trained to answer and address poison-related health concerns. When your call is answered, the specialist will ask a series of questions, such as the age of the patient, a description of any symptoms, and what type of substance the patient was exposed to. The more detail you can provide, the better.

Once the specialist has asked all of the questions they need, they will direct you towards the best course of action. This might include calling 911, going to the hospital, or walking you through an at-home treatment.

When not to call poison the Poison Help line

If a person is showing obvious signs of physical distress, such as collapsing, seizing, having trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened, call 911 immediately.

Most Poison Centers are not equipped to answer questions about animals. Poison Help line staff members are experts in treating poisoning in humans and do not have the resources to treat poisoned animals. If you have an animal you are concerned about, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control hotline.

More about getting Poison Help

Many things in our everyday lives can be poisonous if consumed or used incorrectly. In 2020 alone, U.S. poison centers responded to over 2 million cases of human exposure to poisonous substances. The majority of these cases were related to medications, household cleaners, and cosmetics. It’s nearly impossible to avoid poisonous substances in our day-to-day routines, even when the proper steps to prevent poisoning are taken.

Kaitlyn Brown PharmD, DABAT and Clinical Managing Director for America’s Poison Centers answers the question of when to call poison control, “We encourage everyone to call the Poison Help line no matter how harmless the exposure seems. Life and accidents happen. There is no incident too small, and nothing to be embarrassed about. Our specialists are always available and happy to help!”