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Warning-sign checks

Bug spray poisoning: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for:

    • Trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, or severe wheezing
    • Collapse, loss of consciousness, or inability to awaken
    • A seizure
    • Severe confusion or rapidly increasing weakness
    • Heavy drooling or airway secretions that interfere with breathing

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent medical care if symptoms are worsening, especially repeated vomiting, increasing drowsiness, wheezing, muscle weakness, persistent eye pain, or a new cough after swallowing a product.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine medical follow-up if skin, eye, breathing, digestive, or neurologic symptoms do not resolve as expected.

    Workers with repeated exposure may need an occupational health review, assessment of protective equipment, and discussion of whether workplace monitoring is needed.

The article also says

A brief, mild exposure may only require home observation when a poison specialist confirms that this is appropriate.

Follow the specific monitoring period and instructions provided for that product.

After an accidental exposure, store pesticides in their original containers, with labels intact, in a locked area away from food, medicines, children, and pets.

Never transfer bug spray into a cup, bottle, or food container.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Bug spray poisoning. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.