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Definition
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Poisonous Ingredient
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Where Found
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Symptoms
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Home Treatment
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Before Calling Emergency
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Poison Control, or a local emergency number
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What to expect at the emergency room
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Expectations (prognosis)
Definition
Poisoning from an overdose of zinc.
Poisonous Ingredient
Zinc
Where Found
- Zinc
- Various zinc salts such as zinc oxide (relatively nontoxic), zinc acetate, zinc sulfate and zinc chloride
- Multiple mineral supplements
- Multiple vitamin and mineral supplements
- Heated or burned galvanized metal (releases zinc fumes)
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Symptoms
- Burning sensation (body)
- Metallic taste
- Body pain
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Shock
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No urine output
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Collapse
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Convulsions
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
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Yellow eyes or yellow skin
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Watery or bloody diarrhea
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Low blood pressure
Home Treatment
Give lots of milk or water immediately.
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
- The patient's age, weight, and condition
- The name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
- When it was swallowed
- The amount swallowed
Poison Control, or a local emergency number
If you are concerned about a zinc overdose or toxic exposure, seek medical care immediately.
If you suspect possible poisoning, call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 anywhere in the U.S. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Take any containers with you to the emergency room, if possible.
See poison control centers.
What to expect at the emergency room
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
- Giving milk or water.
- Using gastric lavage (pumping the stomach).
- Administering an antidote.
- Treating other symptoms.
Expectations (prognosis)
The extent of illness and survival depend on the dosage and how much time passed before treatment. If symptoms are mild, full recovery is typical. If the poisoning is severe, death may occur up to a week after swallowing the poison.
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