Poisoning

Getting poison ivy, oak or sumac on the skin is incredibly frustrating. Not only does it itch terribly, but the worst part is not being able to scratch it. Scratching the the poisoned areas will...

Nothing endangers breathing like the threat of imminent death. Heavy metal poisoning is a serious condition that can cause rapid, painful death. Chelation therapy is one of the few, if not the...

Poison ivy belongs to the cashew family of plants. The plant contains urushiol, a clear odorless sap that is responsible for causing rashes. After contamination, it can take hours of days for rash...

Getting poison oak (or ivy and sumac) on the skin causes a lot of itching and discomfort. When attempts to prevent touching the leafy nuisance don't work, cleaning the poison off and keeping the...

Food poisoning can occur when you eat food that has not been cooked thoroughly, was handled in an unsanitary manner or was derived from a source that was contaminated, such as an unhealthy animal....

Mercury is the second-most toxic element in the world. There are three types of mercury that cause mercury toxicity: elemental, inorganic and organic mercury. Elemental mercury can be found in...

Poison ivy rash is a product of the oils of the poison ivy plant coming into contact with the skin and causing an allergic burning reaction. The contact produces burning and itching, which is...

Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen or paracetamol, is used as an over-the-counter painkiller. An overdose can cause liver failure, killing many people every year in the United States and worldwide.

The oil of the cod fish liver is a widely taken nutritional supplement known for its high levels of vitamins A and D, as well as its omega fatty acid content. It is taken therapeutically to help...

Mercury is a toxic substance found in a variety of objects and solutions, including some glass thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries and older antiseptics like red mercurochrome....

Although Tylenol is proven to be a safe and effective drug for pain relief, it can be lethal in large doses. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol and can also be found in many other...

Ballpoint pens are extremely popular with children because they come in a variety of colors and sizes. Ink poisoning is a common fear for parents who have school age children that use ink pens to...

There are three types of mercury poisoning. The disease can be caused by liquid mercury, organic mercury, and inorganic mercury. Exposure can be either acute--one massive dose--or chronic, with...

Seafood poisoning occurs for a number of reasons. Raw or undercooked seafood may cause serious bouts of vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal cramps in addition to other gastrointestinal problems. While...

Elemental mercury is a heavy metal with a variety of toxic effects. Little risk of injury or toxic effects is posed when the mercury is contained in a barometer, but spilled mercury can cause a...

Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped bacteria that is so small it cannot be seen without using a microscope. It is a microscopic living creature that lives in the intestinal tract of animals and...

Hexavalent chromium is a danger to those who are exposed to it, but not many people know what it is and why it harms people. Knowing the effects can help you decide if you want to work in an area...

Toxemia is an old-fashion term for preeclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). The symptoms can be vague such as nausea, headaches, swelling, general aches and pains, which often occur...

Be careful on that pleasant woodland walk or even working in the yard because touching a three-leafed plant may result in disagreeable consequences. Poison ivy grows throughout North America and...

Aspartame, also known as Nutrasweet or Equal, has been in use as a sweetener for 20 years. Dr. John Olney is a neuroscientist whose research on aspartic acid, a metabolite of aspartame, concluded...

Fluoride is a naturally derived element that is helpful in preventing and reversing tooth decay in its early stages. It is found naturally in many water sources, and many towns and cities add...

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, potassium is a mineral that helps kidneys function correctly. Potassium is an electrolyte, or a substance that conducts electricity in the...

There are two types of moth balls: those that contain naphthalene and those that contain paradichlorobenzene (PDB). Both these chemicals can be dangerous, especially with prolonged or high exposure.

Mercury is an element that is found naturally in our environment. Our bodies do not need mercury but because it is found in the earth's crust and atmosphere, we are exposed to certain levels of...

According to Centers for Disease Control statistics, about 145 botulism cases are reported each year in the U.S., but the paralyzing illness caused by bacteria that grows in soil is as serious as...

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that may cause stomach distress when consumed. Salmonella poisoning can occur when consuming various food items or contaminated water. When infection occurs, the...

Salmonella is a bacterium that causes illnesses such as diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and cramps. It is transferred through fecal matter, and can be transferred either from animal to human, or human...

Amoebic dysentery is a very serious disease caused by ingesting human feces in contaminated food or water. The bacteria that cause the illness are cysts with hard shells, which allow them to...

Tylenol is the brand name for the generic drug acetaminophen. It is used to relieve pain and reduce fevers. It is sold alone or in combination with other over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription...

Rabies is a viral disease transmitted to humans through a bite or scratch from wild or domestic animals. It is always fatal if it isn't treated within a couple of days of exposure.

Contrary to urban legends and the warnings of mothers everywhere, using the palm of your hand as a notepad doesn't put you at risk of ink poisoning. Bottled ink, such as that used in fountain...

Salmonella bacteria are often found in undercooked or raw poultry, eggs, meat, and even water. In some rare instances salmonella can also be found on pets, especially turtles. Handling pets that...

A bacterium named Clostridium botulinum produces the extremely poisonous toxin that causes the rare yet potentially fatal medical condition called botulism. The National Institutes of Health...

It happens day in - day out. The first thing many people reach for is a sugar substitute because you've been told it's good for you, and would save you from the "evils of real sugar,"...

Nearly everyone has been exposed to mercury in seafood, on the job or from medical or dental procedures. All forms of mercury have toxic effects on the nervous system. Mercury poisoning can have...

Mercury levels in seafood has received a lot of attention in recent years. And, while we typically think of heavy metals like copper, lead and nickel as the building blocks of everyday items,...

Activated charcoal is administerd when someone is poisoned. Drug3k.com explains that the charcoal helps to absorb the poison and carry it out of the body. It may also be used to treat gas,...

The odor of rotten shrimp can leave an area smelling unclean, unsanitized and unpleasant. The fishy smell can be potent and overpowering, making a person want to avoid an area completely. These...

Methylmercury is a form of inorganic mercury capable of causing severe damage to various organ systems. While all fish contain traces of methylmercury, large fish such as tuna, swordfish and...

Dimercaptopropane sulfonate, or DMPS, is used to treat individuals who have been poisoned by heavy metals. It has been used for the treatment of metal intoxication since the 1960s, and is...

Also called crystal violet and Pyoctaninum caeruleum, gentian violet is a dye made from coal tar. Despite its use to potentially fight infections and bacteria, gentian violet poses several risks...

When food is prepared improperly, it can contain harmful organisms that cause considerable distress to the human body. Food poisoning can arise from the harvesting and processing of ingredients,...

Air fresheners come in sprays and in solid form that resemble gelatin. For this reason, they can be particularly attractive to children. The fragrance of solid air fresheners can also attract pets.

A caladium, also known as angels' wings or elephant ears, is a very beautiful colorful plant which may be purchased for the home or used in landscaping. Unfortunately, it is very poisonous and...

Antifreeze, a combination of water, ethylene glycol and other chemicals, is used in all types of vehicles to prevent radiator fluid from boiling over on hot days and freezing on cold days....

Chronic poisoning is exposure to a toxic substance over a prolonged period of time. Individuals exposed in this manner do not suffer from the same the same symptoms as people with acute poisoning....

Drain cleaner, though useful in the home, contains dangerous chemicals that are hazardous if swallowed or inhaled. It is important to know the symptoms of drain cleaner poisoning.

Arsenic exposure occurs mostly in areas with high natural levels of arsenic, in factories and workplaces where it is a by-product, or in or around hazardous waste locations. The symptoms of...

A radiation photograph, such as an X-ray picture of a patient's body, is often used to help diagnose a patient's condition without using other, more intrusive methods such as a biopsy. Though...

Mold spores are present in virtually every environment, both indoors and out. While simple and microscopic, mold is a fungus that is not only unwelcome for sanitary purposes, but because it is...