Nicotine poisoning: how much is an overdose?
Nicotine is what makes smoking addictive for smokers: it is the chemical in the leaves of the tobacco plant that makes cigarettes so addictive. It is present in all cigars, smokeless tobacco (such as chewing or snuff), most electronic cigarettes, nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and nicotine lozenges.
Simply put, nicotine poisoning occurs when you have too much of it in your body. Whether or not there is an overdose depends on your weight and the source of the nicotine.
Usually, with proper care, people recover completely. But severe poisoning can have lasting effects.
How much nicotine is too much?
The CDC says that 50 to 60 milligrams of nicotine are a lethal dose for an adult weighing about 150 pounds. However, some studies suggest that the lethal dose may be much higher.
You can't overdose on nicotine from smoking. When you smoke, your body only absorbs about one-tenth of the nicotine in a cigarette, about 1 milligram. An overdose of nicotine gum or patches is also very rare, but it can happen if you don't follow the instructions carefully.
Because children are younger, a smaller amount of nicotine can lead to poisoning (as can pets). Children can also be harmed if they eat cigarette butts from the floor. Older children trying to chew tobacco can also lead to nicotine overdose.
E-cigarettes can pose an even greater risk. They use a battery to heat liquid nicotine, usually in a container filled with liquid to produce vapor so you can inhale it. But swallowing this liquid nicotine (vape oil) is toxic and harmful, and can be harmful if you spill some onto your skin or into your eyes.
Vape oil comes in colorful packaging, or smells like candy, so it's no surprise that children may drink it. 1 teaspoon of liquid nicotine is deadly to the average 26-pound toddler!
Symptoms of nicotine poisoning
There are usually two types of nicotine poisoning. Mild poisoning symptoms usually last one to two hours, and severe poisoning can last up to 24 hours.
You will experience early symptoms within the first 15 minutes to an hour.
Feeling nauseous or vomiting
Stomach pain
Salivation
Rapid, heavy breathing
Faster heartbeat
High blood pressure
Pale skin
Headache
Dizziness, loss of balance, or feeling disoriented
Late symptoms will gradually stop, usually 30 minutes to 4 hours after they occur.
Diarrhea
Shallow breathing
slow heartbeat
Lowered blood pressure
Drowsiness
Feeling weak, dull reflexes, or inability to control muscles
Seizures
What should I do about nicotine poisoning?
If you suspect that someone has overdosed on nicotine, call for emergency help urgently, especially if you find a child who has.
- swallowed any type of tobacco or nicotine product
- has splashed liquid nicotine in the eyes
- liquid nicotine adhering to the skin
Call 120 if the poisoned person is unable to wake up, has difficulty breathing, or is having a seizure.
Do not try to make the person who swallowed nicotine vomit or give them antacids to fix it. Get them to drink water and make sure their airways are clear. They may start vomiting on their own.
Wash eyes splashed with nicotine with plenty of warm water for at least 15 minutes.
When liquid nicotine adheres to the skin, wash the area with soap and water (warm or cold) and rinse for at least 15 minutes. Do not scrub hard as it may cause rashes, abrasions, or cuts.
Preventing nicotine overdose
Of course, the best thing to do is to prevent this from happening. If you are going to smoke or use other nicotine products, take some basic precautions.
Don't smoke, chew tobacco, or smoke e-cigarettes around children.
5 nicotine in your home and car. Keep everything - cigarettes, snuff, nicotine gum - out of children's sight. Lock up liquid nicotine containers and use child-safe packaging.
Place tobacco and e-cigarettes out of reach of children and pets. For example, never throw cigarette butts into the street or dispose of the product in an open bin.
There is a poison control center helpline in the USA (800-222-1222), which can help you directly from anywhere in the USA. In China, you can currently only call the 120 emergency number.
Published by: "Quit Smoking Bar jyb8.com"
