Bill Klaproth (Host): This is UAMS Health Talk, a podcast from the University of Arkansas for medical sciences. I'm Bill Klaproth, and with me is Charlie Stutz, an education coordinator and health educator for the Arkansas Poison Center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, college of Pharmacy. As we talk about the Arkansas Poison Center at UAMS.

Charlie, welcome.

Charlie Stutts, BS: Thanks, bill.

Bill Klaproth (Host): You bet. And, thank you for being here. We appreciate it. So let's start with this, Charlie. What is a poison?

Charlie Stutts, BS: A poison bill can be any substance that's absorbed or eaten, that's out of the ordinary that can, cause an injury or a death to a person.

Bill Klaproth (Host): Okay, so absorbed or eaten. So that's good to know. So when we talk about things that have, that are absorbed or eaten, what are the most common poisons or hazards that we need to be concerned about?

Charlie Stutts, BS: The most common, particularly in children are medicinals cleaners, nicotine, and, any variety of edibles that are on the market today.

Bill Klaproth (Host): So we really need to watch out about those things. I've heard about kids eating tide pods, You've really gotta watch out to make sure kids don't get a hold of those types of things. Is that right?

Charlie Stutts, BS: That's right, bill. they're in virtually every household or business. there's some type of cleaning substance. The Tide pods are, very, Easy to use. And, a lot of people have them. It's not necessarily just Tide, I don't wanna single them out or anything. It is a, a certain product, but there are, a lot of cleaning substances that come, like those that children, think or candy and, they'll bite into.

Bill Klaproth (Host): Well, they're very colorful, so it's easy to see even the dish washing pods too that you put in there. So it's easy to see why kids would mistake those for candy. But when you think about all the cleaners under sinks too, Those are really, really important. So, it. Make sure you understand that.

Make sure you lock those cabinets up or put them up high where kids can't get to those things. Okay, let's talk about another one. Carbon monoxide poisoning really dangerous because you really can't see it, right? So can you tell us what are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning And what should you do immediately if you're concerned?

Charlie Stutts, BS: if you feel that you've been poisoned by carbon monoxide or exposed, you need to get to fresh air immediately. You need to leave the house or the business, wherever you're at because the antidote is going to be, fresh, ambient air. Some of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be, a headache, a shortness of breath.

it can be weakness, confusion, any sleepiness, nausea, and vomiting, and dizziness. so all Those are carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless. Tasteless gas. So a lot of people, just really don't realize they're being poisoned. They can be poisoned while it's sleep at night. So it's almost always important to have a carbon monoxide detector in the home.

Bill Klaproth (Host): So that's an interesting list of symptoms, headaches, shortness of breath, confusion. You said a host of other's, some people might. Use those with, wow, it's something I ate or I'm just not feeling well. So, it is really important. If you experience those symptoms and you have the heater on or a space heater on, you might want to think about, potential carbon monoxide poisoning.

Would that be right?

Charlie Stutts, BS: That's right. And, occasionally you do need to have the heating furnace replaced. I had that, happen to me before. It was an old heater. It was emitting, carbon monoxide and, to be safe, the installer, decided it was uninhabitable home until it was replaced, and I got it replaced immediately.

Bill Klaproth (Host): That's very scary. So. Why or when should you call the poison hotline? Some people might think, nah, I'm just gonna wait this out. When do people call? When do you recommend they call you?

Charlie Stutts, BS: With any question or concern regarding a toxic substance, call immediately. Don't hesitate. We're not out to get anyone. We're completely confidential. We're free. And we're 24 hours a day.

Bill Klaproth (Host): And then once somebody calls, do you have a list of questions? What are the next steps? How do you help to determine whether or not they should come in or not?

Charlie Stutts, BS: Sure. Every call, has a medical record attached to it, and therefore, the, poison specialist needs to know the person's, complete name. they need to know the, place in which they're calling what city or town, and importantly, what substance was ingested or absorbed, what time it occurred, and any symptoms, the patient is having.

Bill Klaproth (Host): Someone might not know if somebody ingested something like, I think my child might have eaten this. What do you do in that situation?

Charlie Stutts, BS: Right. So, over the phone it can be really difficult to get a perfect health history. So the poison center in most, in every poison center in the country, practices defensive metal. if there's any doubt, whatsoever whether a child had gotten into spilled nicotine, they're going to be referred to the emergency room.

if it's all over their, face and their hands, there's no room for error in that instance. So, oftentimes with the child exposure, we do not know the concentration, the amount, child is having, symptoms. You're immediately going to be referred to er.

Bill Klaproth (Host): Just to reiterate, Charlie, you said the Poison control center at UAMS is open 24 7 for emergencies. Is that correct?

Charlie Stutts, BS: That is correct. the Poison Center will be open any holiday, late at night. Someone is always, at the poison center taking the call.

Bill Klaproth (Host): And you cover all kinds of poisonings. You handle basically everything that comes in handle.

Charlie Stutts, BS: That's right, bill. We have an extensive database. There are over 80 million toxic substances in the United States. and our databases can normally, tease out that substance specifically and determine what the toxicity is in the levels of, safe ranges. Of ingestion And then make a decision whether the person needs medical treatment or they can be observed at home.

Often the poison center does follow-up with the patient for a day or two or longer to make sure that they're not having any, toxic symptoms at all.

Bill Klaproth (Host): That number to call is +1 800-222-1222. That's 1 802 2 2 12 22. As we've been mentioning it, Charlie, I wanna thank you so much for your time. This has really been informative. Before we go, is there anything else you wanna add about poisonings? Or precautions or anything else.

Charlie Stutts, BS: I would like to add that children under four years old. Account for about three quarters of poisonings in the United States. Therefore, if you have a new child or a grandchild who's starting to, crawl or walk, be sure and try to poison proof your home if you can, that's impossible to completely poison, proof it, but try to go through all the kitchen cabinetry.

bathrooms certainly take inventory of any strong heart medicines, diabetes, drugs. pain medicines to make sure Those are properly stored and locked up oftentimes. so there's no chance that that child can, get into, that substance or medicine.

Bill Klaproth (Host): Great advice. Charlie, thank you again for your time. We appreciate it.

Charlie Stutts, BS: Thank you, bill.

Bill Klaproth (Host): Once again, That is Charlie Stutz. For a poison exposure or medication question, please call the hotline as we've been talking about. That number again is 1 802 2 2 12 22 1 802 2 2 12 22. As Charlie said, if you think you have any kind of exposure to a poison.

Call. Just make the call. Don't worry about it. As he said, they're not out to get you. They're not gonna judge you. Make the call. Better safe than sorry. And if you found this podcast helpful, please share it on your social channels and check out our entire podcast library.

For topics of interest to you, This is you a MS Health Talk, a podcast from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Thanks for listening.