Last reviewed: 4 Feb 2021
Last updated: 08 Jan 2020
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presence of risk factors
- burning pain (skin or mucosal contact)
- blistering rash (skin or mucosal contact)
Other diagnostic factors
- erythema (skin or mucosal contact)
- blurred vision/corneal damage (ocular exposure)
- vomiting (ingestion)
- diarrhoea (ingestion)
- dyspnoea (inhalation)
- cough (inhalation)
- nasal irritation (inhalation)
- necrosis (skin or mucosal contact)
- bleeding (inhalation)
- chest crackles and wheeze (inhalation)
- tachycardia
- hypotension
- dizziness
- weakness
- ataxia
- prostration
- hypothermia
- coagulopathy
- fever
Risk factors
- occupational exposure
- contaminated foods
- biological terrorism
- skin exposure
Diagnostic investigations
Investigations to consider
- pulse oximetry
- capnography
- arterial blood gases
- pulmonary function tests
- CXR
- serum electrolytes
- coagulation studies
- FBC
- mass spectrometry analysis of nasal, throat, or respiratory secretions
- serum, urine, or tissue samples for toxin analysis
Treatment algorithm
ACUTE
Contributors
Authors
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
University of Colorado
Faculty Member
Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center
Denver
CO
Associate Medical Director
Washington Poison Center
Seattle
WA
Disclosures
SP declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Clinical Pharmacologist and Toxicologist
NSW Poisons Information Centre
Associate Professor
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Camperdown
Australia
Disclosures
DR declares that he has no competing interests.
Head Unit of Toxicology
Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health
Zagreb
Croatia
Disclosures
MP declares that she has no competing interests.
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