A wart remover is a medication used to treat and remove warts. Warts are growing skin accumulation caused by the human papillomavirus.
The virus is usually transmitted by direct contact with someone infected. For example, when shaking hands, the person gets in touch with the infected area and later touches some part of their body where there is an open wound.
The infection can happen in other ways, such as sharing personal items or having sex too.
Warts are usually just a minor esthetical concern, but they can also be quite painful. Thus, medications were developed to treat this problem.
As with any medication, there is a risk of poisoning if wart removers are used incorrectly or left in a place where children can reach them.
Wart remover poisoning can happen by accident or intentionally. Whatever is the case, the guidelines on how to proceed are similar.
If someone suspects a wart remover poisoning, some guidelines may be helpful and save the person’s life. Check the following topics to learn more about how to proceed in case of wart removers poisoning!
- Wart removers poisoning symptoms
- What are the risks of wart remover poisoning?
- What to do in an emergency situation?
Wart removers poisoning symptoms
Since salicylates or other acids are the main ingredients in wart removers, the symptoms that appear after wart remover ingestion are similar to other acid ingestions. These symptoms can occur in different parts of the body, and they will vary according to the amount taken in.
Once ingested, the wart remover can cause problems in the respiratory system, making it hard to breathe and possibly causing the accumulation of fluids in the lungs.
Once a person experiences difficulty breathing or is not breathing at all, the dangers associated with lack of proper oxygenation come into play. In more extreme cases, brain damage, and death are possibilities.
When it comes to the nervous system, symptoms like fever and dizziness are common. In more extreme cases, convulsions and hallucinations can also occur.
Wart remover poisoning is not necessarily caused by ingestion. Aversive symptoms can also occur due to excessive use or allergic reactions. If this is the case, the person can expect to feel redness, rashes, itchiness, and mild burns.
Moreover, once a problematic substance is ingested, attempting its removal from the body is a natural response from the organism. Thus, vomiting is a very probable symptom.
Also, since kidneys help clean the blood, they can be affected by wart remover poisoning. Therefore, if the concentration is too high, kidney failure is a possibility.
What are the risks of wart remover poisoning?
When evaluating the risks of wart remover poisoning, you must consider several factors. The amount ingested, the delay in receiving medical attention, and the information available to the doctor are crucial.
In a worst-case scenario, death is certainly a possibility. However, a full recovery is highly probable if the person ingested a low amount, the medical treatment happens promptly, and the doctor identifies the cause of the symptoms.
What to do in an emergency situation?
As seen, the information available to the physician is vital in diagnosing and treating wart remover poisoning.
Therefore, if you suspect a wart remover poisoning, whether it is happening to you or others, get to the nearest hospital right away, preferably carrying the medication package. If you cannot drive, ask someone for help or call an ambulance, whatever is faster.
Also, some countries like the U.S., Australia, and Canada have a Poison Control Hotline that you can call in case of poisoning. So, check if your country also offers a service like this to help you in an emergency.
The U.S. hotline number: (1-800-222-1222) (or click here to check their website)
Australia hotline number: 13 11 26 (or click here to check their website).
Canada hotline number: 1-800-268-9017 (or click here to check their website).
And if this article was helpful, visit our page to check for more content!