What are the symptoms of dichlorvos inhalation poisoning, and how to treat it?
Nov 05, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Typical symptoms of dichlorvos inhalation poisoning include a garlic-like odor on the breath, excessive sweating, foaming at the mouth, constricted pupils, and muscle twitching. Upon discovering someone who has inhaled dichlorvos, immediate first-aid measures should be taken and the person should be sent to the hospital as soon as possible. In the hospital, doctors will administer comprehensive treatments based on the patient's condition, including induced vomiting, gastric lavage, oxygen therapy, and injection of antidotes.
Typical symptoms of dichlorvos inhalation poisoning include breath smelling of garlic, profuse sweating, foaming at the mouth, constricted pupils, and muscle twitching. Once someone is found to have inhaled dichlorvos, immediate first-aid measures should be taken and medical treatment sought as soon as possible. The details are as follows:
1. Breath smelling of garlic: Dichlorvos is an organophosphate pesticide with a strong pungent odor similar to garlic. After inhalation, this odor becomes apparent in the person's breath and serves as a clear sign of poisoning.
2. Profuse sweating: Following dichlorvos poisoning, the nervous system is severely affected, leading to autonomic dysfunction. This disruption causes abnormal overstimulation of sweat glands, resulting in excessive sweating, which may even resemble sweating heavily like rain.
3. Foaming at the mouth: After dichlorvos poisoning, the patient's oral cavity and respiratory tract become irritated, producing large amounts of secretions. Mixed with saliva, these secretions form white, frothy material that is expelled from the mouth.
4. Constricted pupils: After dichlorvos poisoning, the patient’s pupils become constricted due to the toxin’s effects. This occurs because dichlorvos inhibits cholinesterase activity, causing acetylcholine to accumulate excessively on postsynaptic membranes, thereby stimulating contraction of the pupillary sphincter muscles and resulting in pupil constriction.
5. Muscle twitching: Patients may also experience muscle tremors after dichlorvos poisoning. This results from the toxin interfering with neuromuscular transmission, impairing normal muscle contraction and relaxation, thus causing involuntary twitching. This symptom typically appears at a later stage of poisoning and may be accompanied by generalized fatigue and muscle weakness.
Once a person is suspected of dichlorvos inhalation poisoning, they should immediately be removed from the contaminated environment. Contaminated clothing should be removed, and the skin, fingernail crevices, and hair should be thoroughly washed with soap and water. Airway patency must be maintained. Emergency medical services should be called promptly for hospital transport. At the hospital, doctors will administer comprehensive treatments based on the patient's condition, including induced vomiting, gastric lavage, oxygen therapy, and injection of antidotes.
