The most common type of poisoning and when to go to the emergency room

Accidental poisonings occur when someone unintentionally ingests harmful chemicals, substances, or foods. These incidents are most common in the home, and if not treated promptly, they can lead to serious health consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional poisoning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths in the United States. It's important to understand the most common types of poisoning and what to do if you or someone else has been exposed to a poisonous substance.

What is the most common type of poisoning?

In 2023, more than 2.4 million poisonous substance encounters were reported in the U.S., according to the National Poison Data System® (NPDS). The majority of those poisonings were unintentional and included children, teens and adults.

The most common substances implicated in poison exposures among children under five were household cleaning supplies, followed by cosmetics, foreign bodies and dietary supplements. In adults, opioid overdoses were the most common cause of poisoning, followed by household cleaning supplies, antidepressants, cosmetics and cardiovascular medications. 

What are the symptoms of poisoning?

Not all poisons cause symptoms right away. Some symptoms can come on slowly or may appear hours after exposure. However, if you think someone has been poisoned, do not wait until the symptoms appear before calling Poison Control.

Symptoms of poisoning can include:

• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Loss of vision
• Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Very slow or rapid heartbeat/breathing
• Very small or very large pupils
• Difficulty walking or uncoordinated movements
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

Do all poisonings require an emergency room visit?

Some symptoms of poisoning can be monitored at home and may not require a trip to the emergency room. However, if the exposed person experiences a seizure, loses consciousness, or stops breathing, call 911 immediately.

If the person is still conscious, call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222 or use the online tool at webPoisonControl. The web tool can also help you decide if it is safe to stay home or if a hospital visit is necessary. The web tool is appropriate if the situation meets the following criteria:

• There are no serious symptoms.
• A single substance was involved.
• The poisoning was unintentional.
• The person is between the ages of 6 months and 79 years.
• The person is not pregnant.
• The person is otherwise healthy.

The web tool should not be used if the poisoning was intentional or if there was more than one substance involved. The web tool should not be used for people who are pregnant or for people who are younger than 6 months or over 79 years old.

How to help someone who has been poisoned

If someone has been exposed to an inhaled poison, such as carbon monoxide, immediately move them into fresh air. If there is poison on their skin, remove any clothing that has come into contact with the poison and rinse the affected skin with running water for 15 minutes. If poison gets in their eye, rinse it out with running water for 15 to 20 minutes. In cases of swallowed poisons, call Poison Control before administering any treatment.

When you call, make sure to have on hand:

• The medication or poison bottle or container
• The poisoned person's age, weight and any existing health issues, if known
• When and how the poisoning occurred
• Whether or not the person vomited
• What type of first aid you administered, if any
• Where the person is located, and how long it would take to get to the hospital

Treat the symptoms as directed by emergency or Poison Control personnel.

How to prevent accidental poisoning

Accidental poisonings can happen in the blink of an eye. To prevent or reduce the risk of accidental poisoning, be sure to:

• Store medicine, cleaning and laundry products out of reach of children.
• Always follow the instructions on household cleaner product labels, and never mix products together.
• Keep household cleaners and chemicals in their original containers.
• Never share prescription medications, and make sure to check for possible drug interactions if you are taking more than one medication.
• Avoid using bleach on food products.

Poisoning can occur unexpectedly, so it's essential to be prepared and know whom to contact if it happens. If you ever suspect someone has been poisoned and are unsure about what to do, you can call Poison Control. This service is free, confidential, and available 24/7.