Poisoning by oils: butter, vegetable, essential oils

Every year, a large number of people around the world suffer from food poisoning. This occurs as a result of consuming food contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms or containing toxic substances of a different nature. The object of reproduction of pathogens are various products that have a limited shelf life, requiring certain storage and preparation conditions. Butter is no exception, poisoning with which is not so rare.

Epidemiology

There are no separate statistics on poisonings with animal and vegetable oils, but the figures for all food poisonings are alarming. Their geography is vast, regardless of the stage of development of the country.

Causes oil poisoning

Butter of animal origin is dominated by milk fats (on the packaging we see the percentage of fat, in most cases fluctuating between 69%-82.5%). The product can spoil due to:

• storage without refrigeration - intensive reproduction of pathogenic bacteria occurs;
• exposure to direct sunlight and access to atmospheric oxygen – the oil oxidizes, toxic aldehydes and ketones are formed;
• violation of the integrity of the packaging - mold develops, producing mycotoxins.

If production and purification technologies are not followed, vegetable oils contain carcinogens (benzapyrene), pesticides, and heavy metals that can cause poisoning.

Risk factors

The risk of butter poisoning increases with:

• a artisanal method of its production, which violates sanitary standards;
• contamination of milk with salmonella (the bacteria can be stored in butter for up to six months);
• purchasing a loose product that does not have quality documents, especially in the summer.

Risk factors for consuming vegetable oils include:

• plastic containers;
• storage in places exposed to sunlight;
• buying draft beer at spontaneous markets.

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of oil poisoning is divided into microbial (toxic infections, toxicoses, mixed etiology) and non-microbial. In the first case, pathogenic microorganisms multiply and secrete toxins, the accumulation of which in the body leads to a general toxic syndrome, changes in the gastrointestinal tract; in the second case, chemical impurities have a harmful effect.

Symptoms oil poisoning

The first signs of poisoning are nausea, vomiting, colic and pain in the abdomen and stomach area. Moreover, vomiting attacks can be uncontrollable. In case of severe damage, a high temperature rises, chills beat, there is aching in the joints, muscle pain, weakness in the whole body.

Most often there is diarrhea, sometimes very severe, the feces sometimes contain bloody, mucous fragments and have a foul odor.

Butter Poisoning

Most of us (except vegetarians) cannot do without butter. This is explained by its excellent taste, the content of a large number of substances necessary for the body (vitamins A, K, E, D, PP, minerals: potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, copper and others), high caloric content (saturates for a long time), 90% absorption.

Its daily consumption in the amount of 10-30 g will bring undoubted health benefits, if only it is fresh. A spoiled product, which has changed its color, smell, is covered with mold, contains various additives, as evidenced by its low price, becomes the cause of severe poisoning with all the symptoms characteristic of them. [ 1 ]

Vegetable oil poisoning

Before reaching retail chains, vegetable oil undergoes a multi-stage process from obtaining oil raw materials, its extraction, refining, deodorization to packaging. Only powerful production facilities are able to meet all the requirements for product quality and pass tests for it. [ 2 ]

Our fields are full of sunflowers, many farms have small oil mills, but are their products safe? Harmful impurities and failure to comply with storage conditions cause poisoning from vegetable oil, including sunflower oil.

Olive oil is imported into the country from abroad and if it is packaged here, it is possible that counterfeit products will enter the consumer market.

Another danger comes from spoiled products. This is indicated by their rancid taste, which, if you feel, you must throw it away and not use it anymore. [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Essential Oil Poisoning

Symptoms specific to poisoning may appear not only from its internal consumption, but also from external use due to rubbing, massages, baths. The most probable poisonings are:

• fusel oils - happen to lovers of cheap alcohol, because they are a by-product of alcoholic fermentation. They manifest themselves as dry mouth, dizziness due to a sharp expansion of the blood vessels of the brain, coughing, lacrimation, a feeling of stupefaction may occur; [ 5 ]
• castor oil - obtained from the castor bean, a very toxic plant. It is used to make medicinal ointments and balms, most often taken internally for constipation, but there are other indications. Exceeding the recommended dose can cause poisoning, expressed in diarrhea, abdominal cramps, sometimes hallucinations up to loss of consciousness; [ 6 ]
• Vaseline oil is an oily substance, a petroleum product, used internally to facilitate bowel movements, and externally for body and hair care. Overdose causes indigestion and nausea; [ 7 ]
• fir oil - it has a rich chemical composition, providing a wide range of its application in medicine, cosmetology: for inhalations, rinses, baths, as part of balms, ointments for wound healing, relief from joint pain. Failure to follow the instructions can lead to poisoning with its characteristic manifestations;
• camphor oil - intended for external use for myositis, arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica. Accidental ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain; [ 8 ], [ 9 ]
• flaxseed oil – it is easy to get poisoned by it, because its shelf life is only 1 month. Initially, it has a specific smell and is slightly bitter, but if it is unsuitable for consumption, it becomes very rancid and has a sharp taste. Along with many beneficial properties for the body due to vitamins A, E, omega-3, omega-6 (on the cardiovascular, nervous, immune systems, digestion), it can cause harm, causing serious disorders; [ 10 ]
• celandine oil - the plant contains alkaloids, it has carotene, ascorbic acid, saponins, flavonoids, resinous substances, organic acids. This makes it possible to use various parts of the herb to treat many diseases. But it also carries a danger, because celandine is poisonous. An incorrect recipe, violation of the dosage of use causes poisoning, sometimes even with paralysis of the respiratory center. [ 11 ]

Machine oil poisoning

Machine oil is necessary for cars to perform their functions. But sometimes, under certain unfavorable circumstances (it can be confused with food oil or it gets into the reach of children), it is taken internally.

Such chemical poisoning is dangerous not only because of the ingestion of petroleum products, but can also lead to burns of the mouth, larynx, and esophagus. The only correct solution in such a situation is to call an ambulance. [ 12 ]

Complications and consequences

The most common consequence of oil poisoning is intestinal dysfunction, development of renal and hepatic failure. Complications such as gastritis and gastroduodenitis, inflammation of the pancreas are also quite real.

Diagnostics oil poisoning

In making a diagnosis, it is very important to collect an epidemiological anamnesis; it is determined whether it is food poisoning or chemical intoxication.

The circumstances of the disease are clarified; in the first case, it is important to determine the possible source of infection in order to eliminate it and prevent its spread, and to know how much time has passed from the consumption of the product until the first signs of poisoning appear.

Clinical symptoms allow a preliminary diagnosis to be made, and laboratory tests of blood, urine, vomit, and feces will confirm it. If necessary, instrumental diagnostics are used: ultrasound of internal organs, gastroendoscopy, electrocardiogram, etc.

Treatment oil poisoning

The primary measure in treating oil poisoning is gastric lavage. To do this, you need to drink a large amount of liquid (a weak solution of potassium permanganate or baking soda) and induce vomiting. If vomiting is already present, then postpone the procedure until a later date.

An important role is given to enterosorbents, which will absorb and remove toxins from the body. Warm tea, drinking plenty of other liquids, a heating pad on the feet - alleviating measures.

If the condition worsens, which is manifested by fever, severe headache, diarrhea, the appearance of blood in the stool, its stench, convulsions, it is necessary to immediately go to the hospital, where emergency measures will be provided: they will use IV drips to cleanse the blood of toxic substances and replenish fluid (intravenous rehydration), if necessary - antibiotics, organize dietary nutrition.

Medicines

The list of enterosorbents used for food poisoning is very wide and is divided into several groups:

• organic – made from natural ingredients (multisorb, polyphepan);
• carbon - derivatives of activated carbon;
• silicon (polysorb, smecta, enterosgel).

• Polyphepan is a powder made from hydrolyzed wood lignin. It is dissolved in water or taken from a spoon with liquid, an hour before meals. Children under 1 year old - a teaspoon, 1-7 years - a dessert spoon, older - a tablespoon 3-4 times a day. Acute conditions require a treatment period of 3-10 days, but can be extended up to 2 weeks. Contraindicated for patients with gastritis with secretory insufficiency, constipation. Can cause allergic reactions, long-term use leads to hypovitaminosis.

• If it is impossible to wash out the stomach, apomorphine hydrochloride is used - an emetic agent is administered as a subcutaneous injection, vomiting occurs within a few minutes. The dose for children is 0.1-0.3 ml, for adults - 0.2-0.5 ml.

Do not prescribe to children under 2 years of age, with atherosclerosis, ulcers, tuberculosis, stomach burns with acids and alkalis. Side effects of the drug can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure, skin rash, itching, neurological disorders.

• Severe poisoning may require increased cardiac activity. For this purpose, corazol tablets are used in a dose of 0.1 g 2-3 times a day (for children under one year old - 0.005-0.010 g, 2-5 years old - 0.02-0.03 g, 6-12 years old - 0.03-0.05 g, a single dose for adults is 0.2 g). The drug in the form of a solution is also injected subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously. It is not prescribed for aortic aneurysm, active tuberculosis.

• Enzyme preparations help restore intestinal function after poisoning: gastenol, mezim, festal, pancrol, creon.

Pangrol is available in capsules with different lipolytic activity, expressed in units of the European Pharmacopoeia (EU EP). It is produced from the pancreas of pigs. There are 2 dosages of the drug: 10,000 and 25,000 U EP, the appropriateness of each is determined by the doctor based on the indications. The capsules are swallowed whole and washed down with plenty of water.

Not recommended for pregnant and lactating women due to the lack of sufficient data on the effects of the drug on the fetus and infants. Pangrol very rarely causes nausea, abdominal discomfort, allergic reactions.

Vitamins

The loss of fluid that occurs during poisoning as a result of vomiting and diarrhea leads to the leaching of vitamins and minerals from the body. To restore health, it is necessary to include more foods in the diet that contain healthy ingredients and take vitamin and mineral complexes.

Vitamins A, C, PP, and B group can strengthen the immune system, improve metabolism, and restore damaged mucous membranes of the digestive organs.

Physiotherapy treatment

Mineral alkaline waters help remove toxic substances from the body, have a healing effect on the digestive organs. Medicinal waters can only be prescribed by a doctor, but medicinal table waters (with a low degree of mineralization) are drunk without fear of harming yourself, they help restore water balance and strength.

Folk remedies

The following recipes help to overcome food poisoning and uncontrollable diarrhea, including with oil:

• Pour boiling water over the dried pomegranate peel, let it brew for 20-30 minutes, drink a third of a glass 3 times a day;
• beat and drink the whites of several eggs;
• dissolve a teaspoon of potato starch in a glass of water at room temperature and drink in one go;
• Place a packet of gelatin in warm water (1 glass) until dissolved, drink.

Herbal treatment

Herbalists have many plants in their arsenal that help to cope with oil poisoning. Among them are:

• a decoction of dill seeds with the addition of honey;
• St. John's wort tea;
• infusion of yarrow and wormwood;
• collection of calendula, chamomile, plantain (can be brewed in a thermos).

Homeopathy

In case of food poisoning, homeopathy can help with the following remedies:

• lycopodium;
• cinchona;
• carbo vegetabilis;
• ipecacuanha;
• Arsenicum album.

The granules dissolve under the tongue, often in acute conditions, less often as they improve. The homeopath will prescribe.

Prevention

Prevention of food poisoning consists of improving food hygiene. When buying oil, you need to inquire about its production date and expiration date, do not buy it loose at spontaneous markets. When using essential oils, strictly follow the instructions.

Forecast

By responding to poisoning promptly and adequately, it is usually possible to avoid life-threatening consequences. In the vast majority of cases, the prognosis is favorable.