Pregnant food poisoning symptoms

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Hand Sanitizer: What's the Real Story?

The Bottom Line

Hand sanitizers usually contain alcohols that have been FDA approved for topical use. These can be hazardous in larger quantities, but a taste amount usually does not cause serious symptoms. Even so, check here to make sure it is not a product contaminated with methanol. Methanol will not be listed on the label.

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The Full Story

Hand sanitizers usually contain alcohols that have been FDA approved for topical use. Such products usually contain ethanol (ethyl alcohol), isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol), or benzalkonium chloride (a detergent). Most of the time, the risk of hand sanitizer exposure was not considered more dangerous than exposure to other sources of alcohol in a child's environment. All alcohol-containing products such as beer, wine, liquor, rubbing alcohol, mouthwash, facial toner, or hair tonics that contain alcohol should be stored out of sight and out of reach of children.

Recently, potentially dangerous contaminants have been discovered in some hand sanitizers. In June 2020, the FDA announced that some popular hand sanitizers are contaminated with methanol (methyl alcohol). This news has prompted health care providers to be more cautious. Methanol has a much narrower range of safety compared to ethanol and isopropanol. Too much methanol can cause permanent blindness and death secondary to severe changes in body chemistry that happen as our bodies metabolize it.

In March 2021, a contaminant called benzene was detected in several hand sanitizer brands across multiple production batches. Benzene is a chemical known to cause leukemia.

Even if your hand sanitizer label says it contains alcohol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, or benzalkonium chloride, it is important to check here to make sure it is not one of the contaminated products. Methanol or benzene will not be listed on the label. It is best to throw away these recalled products to make sure no one accidentally uses them or ingests them.

Children will most commonly access hand sanitizer by putting their mouths on the pump, or by licking what was pumped out on their hands by parents. Serious toxicity would not be expected in either of these situations, even if it was a methanol- or benzene-containing product.

Even alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are made properly and do not contain contaminants can cause serious effects in children if ingested. If swallowed, it can lower blood sugar. In extreme, untreated situations, that can lead to coma and seizures. That's why the first treatment instruction after a child drinks alcohol, from any source, is to give something sweet to drink. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can also make kids drunk. That doesn't just mean woozy; it means slow heart rate and slow breathing. Another issue with all hand sanitizers is that they can be irritating to the stomach, causing nausea or vomiting if swallowed. BUT, a lick of hand sanitizer should not do this. If a person swallows hand sanitizer, call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or go online to get help with webPOISONCONTROL® to see if they need medical attention or if it is safe to watch them at home.

The contaminated hand sanitizers are a different story. Just a sip of methanol-tainted hand sanitizer can cause poisoning in a small child. Long-term chronic use on the skin could also be a problem for both adults and children. The likelihood of toxicity must be considered on a case by case basis. A taste of benzene-contaminated hand sanitizer would be unlikely to cause any immediate symptoms. There is no way to predict whether an individual person exposed to benzene this way would go on to develop long-term health effects. Prevention is best since benzene is known to be harmful.

Some people abuse hand sanitizer to try to become intoxicated or drunk. If someone you know is abusing hand sanitizer, get help. While it is never safe to intentionally drink hand sanitizer, if a person is abusing a contaminated hand sanitizer, this behavior could be deadly.

Remember, the products that are contaminated with methanol or benzene are much more dangerous than those made with approved hand sanitizer ingredients. Smaller quantities need to be ingested before they can cause serious, sometimes permanent health effects and even death. Methanol or benzene will not be listed as an ingredient. If someone ingests one of the recalled products (see this list) get help right away. Don’t wait until symptoms develop as they could become permanent! Get help online with webPOISONCONTROL^® or call 1-800-222-1222.

Rose Ann Gould Soloway, RN, BSN, MSEd, DABAT emerita
Clinical Toxicologist

Poisoned?

Call 1-800-222-1222 or

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Prevention Tips

Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer.
Between uses, keep it out of sight and reach of young children.

This Really Happened

Case 1: A 3-year-old girl had the 16-oz pump dispenser bottle of hand sanitizer containing 68% alcohol in her hands. She had squirted it on her hands, face, clothing and hair. Her mom called Poison Control, concerned that she may have swallowed some. The child didn't remove the pump attachment and had only about a minute to swallow anything. She appeared fine. Poison Control reviewed the concerns with alcohol ingestion in small children but reassured her mom that the small amount she may have swallowed would not poison her. A bath, sweet fluids and a snack were recommended. Two hours later in a follow-up call to the home by Poison Control, her mom reported that she had followed Poison Control's advice and the child was fine.

Case 2: A 2-year-old boy tasted what his mom estimated was a dime-size amount of hand sanitizer containing 62% alcohol one evening. He squeezed some on his hands and then licked them. His mom called Poison Control and was advised to keep him awake for an hour and give sweet fluids and a snack, and to watch for symptoms of inebriation (acting drunk), though no symptoms were expected with this amount. In a follow-up call from Poison Control to his mom an hour later, his mom reported he was a little sleepy, but it was past his bedtime. He had had some juice and appeared his normal self.

For More Information

FDA Updates on Hand Sanitizers with Methanol. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-methanol. Accessed 7/29/2020.

A science-based look at when to use hand sanitizers (CDC)

References

FDA issues final rule on safety and effectiveness of consumer hand sanitizers. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-issues-final-rule-safety-and-effectiveness-consumer-hand-sanitizers. Accessed 7/29/2020.

Engel JS, Spiller HA. Acute ethanol poisoning in a 4-year-old as a result of ethanol-based hand-sanitizer ingestion. Pediatr Emer Care. 2010;26:508-509.

Miller M, Borys D, Morgan D. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers and unintended pediatric exposures: a retrospective review. Clinical Pediatrics. 2009;48(4):429-431.

Rayar P, Ratnapalan S. Pediatric ingestions of household products containing ethanol: a review. Clinical Pediatrics. 2013;52(3):203–209.

Poisoned?

Call 1-800-222-1222 or

HELP ME online

Prevention Tips

Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer.
Between uses, keep it out of sight and reach of young children.

This Really Happened

Poisoning during pregnancy: treatment, prevention

Pregnancy is a magical time in every woman's life. A rounded figure, an unusual step, a happy glint in her eyes, all this makes the expectant mother especially beautiful and charming.

At the same time, a baby under the heart imposes on a woman a certain level of responsibility. She needs to take better care of herself, learn not to be nervous, get more rest and pay special attention to her diet.

It is important that the products that end up on the table are fresh and of high quality, the dishes are balanced and the emphasis is on useful microelements and vitamins. This approach to nutrition will be the key to the proper intrauterine development of the fetus.

Sometimes in the position of girls, taste preferences change. Even if before that she had never eaten papaya and hated avocados, now a woman may want these particular foods in the middle of the night. And ask them to add marinated octopus and a couple of squids to them. Also during pregnancy, some desire to eat fresh vegetables and fruits more often increases. It would seem that there is nothing wrong here. Except for one "but".

Let's say you want plenty of vegetables and overseas fruits in winter. We must be aware that, firstly, our vegetables, which grew on their own, were not stuffed with antibiotics and other chemicals will be difficult to find. Secondly, any overseas products must retain an attractive appearance, despite the long journey. Therefore, you need to understand that they will also be stuffed with hazards.

So, if you used to eat all these goodies and nothing, then the pregnant woman’s body, which works according to other laws, can react to poisons and severe poisoning will develop.

Also, any other products of poor quality and with violation of the shelf life can cause poor health.

The main symptoms of poisoning

Poisoning during pregnancy looks exactly the same as in other people. That is, a person begins to experience:

nausea,
weakness,
dizziness,
malaise,
vomiting, diarrhea,
cramps in the stomach,
flatulence,
jumps in blood pressure may be observed.

As a rule, poisoning is caused by ingestion of E. coli. It acts only within the gastrointestinal tract and cannot cause any harm to the fetus through the placenta. It's a good news. But there is also bad news.

Food poisoning causes vomiting, which is a fast track to dehydration. It, in turn, will lead to thickening of the blood and a problem with blood flow. There is also a risk of blood clots.
The gag reflex is also bad because it causes uterine contractions, and if the uterus contracts often and strongly, then there is a threat of miscarriage.
With loose stools, vomit, useful vitamins and minerals leave the body, and then it will not be easy to replenish their supply.
General intoxication negatively affects the condition of the fetus.

Therefore, if you notice similar symptoms in yourself, you need to provide assistance in case of poisoning, preferably medical.

Help with poisoning - what to do

Why is it important to see a doctor during pregnancy if you are poisoned? After all, usually with diarrhea and vomiting, we prefer to just lie down. In fact, only a doctor can choose the right treatment and establish proper nutrition. Without his recommendations, it is better not to drink anything at all, except for sorbents.

A good option for enterosorbent during pregnancy will be Polysorb. Numerous studies have confirmed its safety and effectiveness. It carefully envelops toxins and poisons and gently brings them out. The drug does not enter the bloodstream and does not affect the organs. In case of poisoning, you need to stir the sorbent in water and drink. The dosage will depend on the weight of the patient. It is necessary to drink the suspension in small sips.

It is also important to monitor the sodium-potassium balance. If necessary, restore it with the help of special preparations.

After the attack subsides, you need to continue treatment and carefully monitor nutrition. It is necessary to remove from the diet:

milk and dairy products,
eggs,
heavy food - fried, fatty,
raw vegetables, fruits.

It is permissible to eat cereals on the water, cereals, broth. Do not lean on pastries and sweets. It is also better to exclude them from the diet for a week.

Prevention of food poisoning

Poisoning during pregnancy, what to do at this moment, and what to avoid, it became clear. It remains now to deal with the question of what prevention can be in this situation.

Best to avoid:

mushrooms, they are heavy for the stomach, can cause discomfort, and very often people feel bad after mushrooms,
canned food, still bet on the use of fresh products,
milk - milk poisoning is not uncommon, especially in cases where this product is purchased from the hands of farmers or grandmothers and is not subjected to additional heat treatment, it seems that everything is natural and there are no chemical additives, but different cases are known, in the end you don’t you know how the hostess takes care of the udder and how she stores the milk until it is sold,
fatty, fried - the body spends a huge amount of energy on digesting such dishes, but we do not add strength,
sausages, sausages - they are not healthy, not environmentally friendly and it is not clear what they actually consist of,
fast food and fast food restaurants are places that should be banned for pregnant women, cases of poisoning occur regularly here.

Neither are the banal rules that apply to regular hand washing, buying food with the correct expiration date, refusing to experiment in nutrition, no matter how much you want it.

You need to understand that during pregnancy you are responsible not only for your life, but also for the life, development and health of that little man whose heart is beating inside you.

He cannot take care of himself. And if you eat french fries or a burger, all the fat and carcinogens will enter your body. The baby will also get it. So you need to learn to look at your food differently in order to avoid problems and troubles.

Happy pregnancy!

Why is Polysorb right for you?

Recommended for use by people of all ages.
Does not contain preservatives, dyes and sweeteners. Neutral in taste.
Gently removes harmful and normalizes the intestinal microflora.

The dosage of the drug is calculated individually depending on its weight according to instructions .

If you have any difficulties in calculating the individual dose of Polysorb, you can get a free consultation by phone: 8-800-100-19-89 or in the consultation section .

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How to treat food poisoning during pregnancy

During pregnancy, every woman treats her health with special trepidation. Walking in the fresh air, healthy and balanced food, rest - all this is a priority for expectant mothers. However, even with proper nutrition, sometimes an upset stomach occurs. There can be many reasons. Treatment should be approached very carefully and in a timely manner. After all, the health of mother and baby depends on it. We will talk about the causes and methods of treating food poisoning in detail in this article.

Nature of the disease and its causes

To begin with, it is worth understanding the nature of this disease. At its core, poisoning is a complex name that implies a violation of the vital functions of the body and its systems as a result of the ingress of toxic (poisonous) substances into it. Indigestion, of course, harms the entire body. If we are talking about a future mother, it is important to know how to help yourself and your child already at the first sign of poisoning.

There are many reasons for poisoning, but the main thing is the quality of the products. Rather, on the contrary - their poor quality. Bacteria multiply in spoiled food, toxicity increases. As a result, stomach poisoning occurs.

Another number of reasons - unwashed vegetables and fruits, dirty hands. Although pregnant women tend to pay special attention to cleanliness, but, for example, having dinner in a restaurant with vegetable salad from poorly washed products, you can easily get an upset stomach.

To insure yourself against food poisoning, you can use the achievements of scientists who have analyzed the nature of poisoning for more than 20 years and named the ten most dangerous foods. Pregnant women who are attentive to their health and caring for their unborn baby can use this data. So, the most dangerous in this rating, scientists called seafood. Poisoning occurs frequently because they are perishable. In addition, “suspicious” products include olives, smoked meats, sausages, sausages, red caviar, canned food, sushi, melon and watermelon, as well as avocados. The danger of overseas fruit poisoning is that it is very toxic when unripe.

Symptomatic picture in case of poisoning

Indispensable symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, flatulence and diarrhea. Sometimes the temperature rises. Later, they are joined by other symptoms that are caused by intoxication of the body. Quite quickly, a large amount of fluid is excreted from the body, which must be replenished. Dehydration can cause weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, cramps, and loss of appetite.

A pregnant woman has her own specific body reactions. For example, due to the tension of the abdominal muscles, the tone of the uterus may increase, sometimes the number of fetal movements decreases. In acute cases, vaginal bleeding occurs. However, these symptoms are rare. Usually, there is no threat to the unborn child when the mother is poisoned. Transmission of infection and intrauterine infection is impossible. Infection of the fetus occurs in case of mushroom poisoning, but such cases are rare. Basically, food poisoning is dangerous only for the body of the expectant mother.

A pregnant woman should be wary of signs of intoxication and dehydration of the body, as useful substances and minerals are rapidly beginning to be removed from it. Therefore, treatment measures should be taken as soon as possible. If the case is severe, then you should definitely call a doctor.

Treatment: take action immediately

Poisoned food, together with harmful substances and toxins, has a negative effect on the stomach and intestines. First, bad food begins to break down and be absorbed into the walls of the stomach. It should be cleared by inducing vomiting. At home, you can use water or saline solution. Liquid (minimum 1.5 liters) must be drunk completely in a short time in small portions. Together with vomiting, what is still in the stomach will come out and purification will occur. Ideally, only pure water should leave the body after washing. It is believed that in this case the effect of it is achieved.

At the next stage, the intestines need help, which digests everything harmful. Sorbents will help with this, they will absorb toxins and bacteria. A modern wide-spectrum enterosorbent - Polysorb - eliminates the very cause of poisoning, removing poisons and harmful microorganisms from the body with diarrhea. This sorbent, working in the intestines, like a filter, collects toxins from the bloodstream onto itself and cleanses the body, neutralizing poisons.

Polysorb begins to work after 1-4 minutes, eliminating intoxication. Most importantly, the drug is approved for use by pregnant women. In the production of Polysorb, dyes and preservatives are not used. This pure powder substance is taken only in the form of an aqueous suspension, for which the required amount of the drug is mixed in half a glass of water. The duration and number of doses per day depends on the severity of the disease. The course of treatment for acute intoxication is 3-5 days. Read more in the instructions for use.

Polysorb, although it acts gently and gently on the body of a pregnant woman, it has its own contraindications. In order not to harm your health, you must carefully read the instructions or get expert advice.

It is important not only to get rid of the symptoms of poisoning, but also to get out of the painful state correctly.