In light of the tragic news of young men who passed away after allegedly taking poisoned soup, what are the best first aid treatments for food poisoning?
Does palm oil protect you from poison?
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Palm oil is often used to induce vomiting after eating or drinking poison, but this method can worsen the situation.
While palm oil may initially absorb some toxins, it eventually spreads them to the lungs, which can lead to severe complications.
In cases where the poison is oil-based, it can mix with palm oil and increase toxicity. Contrary to popular belief, palm oil does not neutralise poison and can increase the stomach's gastric volume, causing more harm than good.
Avoid giving palm oil to anyone who has ingested poison, as it is ineffective and may lead to serious health complications.
Using charcoal after being poisoned
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Another common myth is the use of household charcoal as a remedy for poisoning.
While hospitals may use activated charcoal in certain poisoning cases, this is very different from regular cooking charcoal.
Activated charcoal is refined to remove impurities, making it safe for ingestion. Its porous structure traps chemicals and poisons in the intestine, preventing them from entering the bloodstream.
However, regular cooking charcoal contains impurities and lacks these properties, making it ineffective and unsafe.
Activated charcoal, available in pharmacies, can be used to treat certain types of poison if administered quickly. However, it does not affect substances like alcohol, caustics, lithium, or petroleum products.
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Should you take milk?
Milk is not a cure for food poisoning, as it can irritate the stomach lining, make it difficult to digest dairy, and promote bacterial growth, which can worsen symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea.
When to induce vomiting
Vomiting is only effective within an hour of poisoning and can be dangerous in cases involving petroleum-based substances like gasoline or kerosene, as it can cause severe breathing problems.
Instead of trying to induce vomiting yourself, get to the hospital as soon as possible.
How to treat poison
- Do not ingest anything (including water, milk, alcohol, or household charcoal) after poisoning.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Bring the substance or item that caused the poisoning to the hospital so doctors can determine the correct treatment.
In cases of poisoning, rapid medical attention is needed for the best chance of surviving.