Ammonia poisoning: treatment

What to do in case of ammonia poisoning? Wash your face and visible parts of the body with plenty of water.

• If possible, wear a respirator, gas mask or gauze protective bandage soaked in an acidic solution (for example, a 5% solution of citric acid).

Next, it is necessary to ensure the transportation of injured people to a clinical facility where they will receive qualified medical care.

Immediate first aid in case of ammonia poisoning should be limited to the following actions:

1. Transporting the victim (or victims) from the toxic zone.
2. Providing access to fresh air (oxygen access).
3. Rinse the mouth, nasal cavity, and nasopharynx with plenty of water (the water can be slightly acidified, for example, with citric acid).
4. In case of eye damage, instill 0.5% dicaine, then 30% sodium sulfacyl.
5. In case of skin lesions, rinse with plenty of water.
6. In case of damage to the digestive system – gastric lavage (taking emetics is prohibited!).
7. Even in cases of mild ammonia poisoning, the victim needs a long period of rest – at least 24 hours from the moment of intoxication.

Any degree of ammonia poisoning is a serious reason to seek immediate medical attention.

First aid for ammonia poisoning

First aid for ammonia poisoning in a hospital consists of the following steps:

• the victim is given an oxygen mask to support respiratory function and quickly clear the respiratory organs of damaging ammonia gas;
• an antidote is administered (the so-called antidote is a medication that neutralizes the toxic component);
• rehydration therapy is carried out in order to restore water and electrolyte balance;
• using a probe, the stomach is washed to prevent damage to the digestive system and reabsorption of ammonia into the blood;
• constantly monitor respiratory and heart rate, blood pressure indicators;
• If necessary, symptomatic treatment is carried out.

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What should I use to wet a bandage in case of ammonia poisoning?

A gauze or bandage dressing is a necessary means for preventing damage to the respiratory tract in case of ammonia poisoning. In order to maximally protect the respiratory system from damage, it is recommended to soak the dressing in an acidic solution: the acid neutralizes ammonia, which is a caustic alkali. 5% ascorbic, acetic, boric or citric acids are suitable as such an impregnating solution.

Medicines

Medicines for ammonia poisoning are prescribed taking into account the existing symptoms of intoxication.

If laryngospasm, acute toxic laryngitis or bronchitis are present, then Sanorin, Naphthyzinum, Prednisolone are administered by inhalation. The following are administered as intravenous injections:

• 2.4% Euphyllin in the amount of 10 ml;
• 0.5% Seduxen in the amount of 2 ml;
• 1% Diphenhydramine in the amount of 1 ml;
• Prednisolone from 60 to 300 mg.

If toxic pulmonary edema develops, the following group of drugs is used:

• 1% Morphine (1 ml) + 0.25% Droperidol (1 ml);
• 0.05% Strophanthin in the amount of 1 ml;
• Lasix from 40 to 200 mg;
• large doses of Prednisolone (up to 1.5 g).

If the aerosol preparation Dexamethasone isonicotinate is available (it is used in many EU countries), five inhalations are administered every 10 minutes.

If the treatment does not show the expected effect, the doctor performs tracheal intubation and transfers the patient to artificial ventilation (in gas-polluted environments, devices equipped with antitoxic filters are used).

Pain is relieved by administering narcotic and non-narcotic painkillers in combination with Seduxen. Rheopolyglucin is administered intravenously into one arm at a rate of 5 ml per kg, and a glucose-novocaine mixture (consisting of 500 ml of 10% glucose and 30 ml of 2% novocaine) into the other arm. This is followed by the administration of 4% sodium bicarbonate. The total number of infusions is determined by the doctor based on hemodynamic parameters and clinical symptoms.

As a drug correction, Dopamine is administered at a dosage of 5 mcg/kg per minute. If no effect is observed, 0.1% Norepinephrine is used in an amount of 2 ml in combination with 200 ml of 5% glucose, as well as 60 to 300 mg of Prednisolone.

Antidote for ammonia poisoning

As an antidote, a 0.1% solution of Atropine is administered intramuscularly at 2 mg every 20-30 minutes until the patient's condition is normalized. In case of severe ammonia poisoning, repeated administration of the drug is allowed for two days until signs of "pereatropinization" appear:

• nausea with vomiting;
• lowering blood pressure;
• a state of excitement and irritability;
• convulsions, trembling in the limbs;
• hallucinations;
• suppression of the activity of the respiratory center and central nervous system.

Side effects from the administration of Atropine may include:

• urinary disorders;
• tachycardia, heart rhythm disturbances;
• headaches, sleep disturbances;
• the appearance of difficult to remove phlegm in the bronchi.

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Vitamins

When poisoned by ammonia, the body rapidly loses many important vitamins and microelements. Therefore, for the stable operation of all organs and systems, it is necessary to replenish the "useful" reserves in a timely manner.

The first thing to do is to provide the body with an adequate level of vitamin A, which will help to restore damaged organs faster. The source of this vitamin is not only carrots, but also many cereals, black bread, butter.

If ammonia poisoning is accompanied by dyspeptic symptoms, then the menu must include vitamins such as B ₁, PP, U.

Vitamin C is also essential, as it will normalize metabolic processes and prevent the vulnerability of many organs to toxic damage.

B vitamins are necessary to support the nervous system and normalize the digestive tract. These vitamins should be found in beans, grain bread, meat and dairy products.

Particularly effective against ammonia poisoning are products that contain a lot of pectin - a sufficient amount of it is present in apples, citrus fruits, carrots, tomatoes, and unpeeled potatoes.

As a rule, there is no urgent need to take pharmacy multivitamins. All vitamins recommended for poisoning can be obtained from food. To do this, you just need to diversify your diet.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapy procedures are generally not prescribed for ammonia poisoning.

Folk remedies

Restoring the body with folk remedies after ammonia poisoning is possible, but this can only be done after consulting a doctor, making sure that there is no allergic reaction to the ingredients of the recipes. To neutralize the toxic effect of ammonia, use the following remedies:

• oats soaked in water are ground in a blender and drunk 100 ml five times a day, at equal intervals;
• prepare an infusion of sea buckthorn leaves and berries, drink it daily and in unlimited quantities;
• take 1-2 teaspoons of sea buckthorn oil orally, three times a day, half an hour before meals;
• drink juice squeezed from raw grated potatoes three times a day (can be replaced with horseradish juice);
• Drink 2-4 raw egg yolks daily in combination with 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil.

The listed recipes should not be used as first aid. Their usual use is to restore the body during the rehabilitation stage. To speed up recovery, experts advise adding such products as white cabbage, broccoli, lemons, watermelons, garlic, and green onions to the diet. Milk thistle extract, which can be purchased at a pharmacy, is also considered a good neutralizer.

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Herbal treatment

Herbal infusions and decoctions always successfully complement the main treatment. In case of ammonia poisoning, the following remedies will be useful:

• mint infusion (drink throughout the day instead of tea);
• infusion of equal parts of wormwood, juniper, sage (infuse 4 tbsp of the mixture in 1 liter of boiling water, drink 200 ml three times a day);
• hawthorn berry tea (brew 1 tbsp of fruit in 200 ml of boiling water).

There are also other, more complex recipes:

• 50 g of tansy flowers are poured with three glasses of boiling water, kept under the lid for about half an hour. Then 20 g of chamomile flowers are added, the infusion is placed on low heat and brought to a boil. Cover again with a lid and infused for 24 hours. The remedy is drunk with food, three times a day, at the rate of 1 tbsp. per 10 kg of the patient's weight. Duration of treatment is 5-7 days.
• 50 g of rose hips are poured with 1 liter of boiling water and boiled for 10 minutes. The drink is kept for another 4 hours, after which it is filtered and a little honey is added. Drink 200 ml twice a day for two weeks.

Viburnum leaves and berries, blackcurrant leaves, and aloe leaves are good at dealing with intoxication.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are advisable to use in cases of mild ammonia poisoning, or already at the stage of recovery of the body after severe intoxication. Homeopathy should not be used as first aid.

Such drugs are prescribed by a specially trained homeopathic doctor during an individual consultation. To support the body after ammonia poisoning, it is recommended to pay attention to the following drugs:

• Aconitum
• Phosphoricum acidum
• Cuprum metallicum
• Camphor
• Veratrum album
• Nux vomica
• Lycopodium
• Carbo vegetabilis
• Hina
• Arsenicum album

Despite the complete safety of homeopathic preparations, you should not independently select their dosage. Only a doctor who personally sees the patient can do this correctly. Otherwise, the chosen remedy may become just a waste of time.