Exposure to Toxins: Care Instructions

Overview

Toxins are poisonous substances that can harm your body. If your doctor is concerned that your symptoms are caused by exposure to a toxic substance, the doctor may ask you about your home, your work, your family, and other things in your environment.

You also may have blood tests or X-rays to find out if a toxin is in your body. For example, you may have been around smoke from a fire. Or you may have been around fumes from paints, solvents, or waste products from workshops or factories. So testing for the levels of these substances in your blood can help find out how much exposure you have had. It can also help find out what treatment may be needed.

In some cases, it may be hard to find out what you may have been exposed to. Sometimes it can take years before you have symptoms. For example, a miner may have lung disease many years after working in mines.

Being exposed to some toxins can also make health problems you already have worse, so it may be hard to know what additional treatment is needed.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• If you think you may have been exposed to a toxin but are not sure what it might be, try to keep a written record of your symptoms. Note when and where you have symptoms and any possible exposure to toxins. For example, you may find out that you have symptoms while you are at work but not at home.
• If you can, try to control your exposure to toxic substances.
  • Avoid cigarette smoke. Cigarettes contain many chemicals that are harmful to your health.
  • Keep your home clean and as free from dust as you can. Dust can irritate your lungs.
  • Be aware of carbon monoxide. Get a carbon monoxide detector for your home. Carbon monoxide comes from cars, space heaters, and other heat sources. It can be deadly.
  • Be careful with chemicals. When you use cleaning products, make sure to open windows or use an exhaust fan. Never mix household chemicals, such as chlorine and ammonia. Some mixtures can create toxic fumes that can be deadly.
  • Read the label on house and garden chemicals. Be sure to follow all safety directions. Try to limit your use of lawn and garden pesticides.
• It may help to increase the amount of fresh air in your home.
• Keep in mind that the farther away you are from a toxic source, the less exposure you will get.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You have chest pain.

Call the Poison Control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or use their online tool at triage.webpoisoncontrol.org right away if:

• You get household chemicals in your mouth or eyes.
• You think you may have been exposed to a toxic substance.

Contact your doctor if you think you have been exposed to some toxin and have symptoms of an illness. Symptoms may include:

• A headache.
• Fever and chills.
• Nausea.
• A cough.
• Muscle aches.
• A rash.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You do not get better as expected.