Nicotine poisoning is a condition to which not only cigarette smokers are exposed. The risk of nicotine poisoning also increases in people who try to quit smoking and use gums, dragées or nicotine patches. Check what are the symptoms of nicotine poisoning, what is the treatment of the patient and what the first aid for this type of poisoning looks like.
Nicotine poisoningis a medical condition caused by the action of nicotine, administered in doses harmful to the body. Nicotine poisoning can occur through the skin, inhalation, alimentary and intravenous routes. Nicotine poisoning is rarely fatal.
Who is most at risk of nicotine poisoning?
People who have professional contact with this substance are the most exposed to nicotine poisoning, mainly those who work in the production and drying of tobacco, as well as in exterminating insects (insecticidal aerosols are still used in the USA and Canada containing nicotine). Cigarette smokers are also exposed to the poisonous effects of nicotine, including the so-called e-cigarettes. People trying to quit smoking and using nicotine replacement therapy, such as inhalers, gums or patches, are also at risk. Age is also important - nicotine is especially harmful to people in the period of puberty and intensive growth, which usually inhibits.
When can nicotine poisoning occur?
Acute nicotine poisoning may occur, for example, after smoking a large number of cigarettes in a short time, chewing and swallowing snuff, using excess gum or nicotine patches, eating cigarettes, using tobacco paste compresses, after using a decoction tobacco leaves, as well as intravenous administration of such a decoction. Nicotine is rapidly absorbed in each of these forms.
Nicotine poisoning - dangerous e-cigarettes, inhalers and nicotine gums
A single, toxic dose of nicotine for adults and non-smokers is about 4-8 mg. In smokers, this dose is much higher and depends on the degree of lowering the smoker's sensitivity to nicotine. In turn, the lethal dose ranges from 40 to 60 mg (i.e. about 0.5 mg / kg body weight).
A cigarette usually contains 9 to 30 mg of nicotine, and when smoked into the lungs of a smoker, 0.5 to 2 mg of nicotine is absorbed. Therefore, in a non-smokerpoisoning symptoms may appear after smoking even 2 cigarettes at once! In turn, both in non-smokers and smokers the lethal dose is about 20 cigarettes smoked one after the other. The lack of control over nicotine replacement therapy is also dangerous, because nicotine inhalers, gums, tablets and patches contain large doses of nicotine. For example, gums usually contain 2 to 4 mg of this substance, and one inhalation gives the body about 5 mg of nicotine. In turn, nicotine patches, depending on the type, provide from 5 to 22 mg of nicotine. Particularly dangerous is nicotine in the form of a liquid, i.e. an e-cigarette cartridge (the liquid can contain up to 36 mg of nicotine / 1 ml=the equivalent of 1 packet), especially if you combine e-cigarettes with gums or anti-smoking patches. In addition, according to research by the Food and Drug Administration in the USA (FDA), the actual nicotine content in e-liquids is often inconsistent with the information provided by the manufacturer on the packaging.
Symptoms of nicotine poisoning
In the early stages of acute nicotine poisoning, the patient may complain of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, and drooling. The rate of breathing also increases. Hypotension (hypotension), tachycardia (heart rate above 100 beats per minute) and pale skin are also characteristic. In addition, there is a narrowing of the pupils, impaired coordination of the body movement, impaired consciousness, chills, convulsions. At a later stage to the above-mentioned The symptoms are accompanied by diarrhea, dyspnoea and apnea, cyanosis, prolonged sleepiness, and greater cardiac arrhythmias. Sudden cardiac arrest-induced loss of consciousness can also occur, and can even result in shock and coma.
Symptoms of nicotine poisoning usually appear 1-4 hours after consuming a dangerous dose, although with high nicotine concentrations and well-absorbed preparations, the time between nicotine entering the body and the onset of the first symptoms may be significantly shortened (symptoms may be significantly reduced). even appear after a few minutes).
Symptoms of systematic intoxication with low doses of nicotine are similar to those that occur in the early stages of acute nicotine poisoning, with the difference that they do not increase, but gradually subside, followed by a period of weakness.
ImportantNicotine poisoning in children
Nicotine poisoning in children is most often the result of insufficient care on the part of adults. Children can get nicotine poisoning by putting on a nicotine patch or by swallowing gum, a pill or even a nicotine patch. Then the youngest develop nausea, vomiting,diarrhea and abdominal pain, weakness, dizziness and allergic reactions (rash). It should be remembered that even a small dose of nicotine can be dangerous for children, and high doses of this substance can inhibit the child's development.
Nicotine poisoning - treatment
Treatment of nicotine poisoning depends on the dose that has been delivered to the body and the route of nicotine administration. Some may be given antiemetics or activated charcoal (e.g. if the patch is accidentally ingested), and others may require fluids. People who develop heart problems may require more intensive treatment.
Nicotine poisoning - first aid
First of all, if possible, cut off the injured person from the source of poisoning, i.e. a cigarette or a plaster. In the latter case, wash the skin thoroughly with water, without soap, as it may increase the absorption of nicotine (it will be continuously supplied to the circulation for several hours after breaking the patch). Then see a doctor as soon as possible.
ImportantNicotine poisoning during pregnancy
According to studies that were carried out on mice and pregnant rats, nicotine has a negative effect on the fetus. Depending on the maternal exposure time, dose and route of administration, nicotine leads to a reduction in birth weight, as well as changes in lung tissue and skeletal malformations. Perinatal mortality is also increasing.