How do you treat lewisite exposure?

How do you treat lewisite exposure?

How lewisite exposure is treated. Treatment consists of removing lewisite from the body as soon as possible and providing supportive medical care in a hospital setting. An antidote for lewisite is available and is most useful if given as soon as possible after exposure.

What is lewisite made up of?

Lewisite (C2H2AsCl3) is a vesicant that contains organic arsenic. During WWI, a U.S. chemical warfare research laboratory investigating arsenic compounds as potential war gases developed the potent vesicant, subsequently named “Lewisite” after the research group director.

What do blister agents do?

Blister agents burn and blister the skin or any other part of the body they contact. Blister agents (whether as a gas, aerosol, or liquid) enter the body primarily through inhalation and dermal contact. They may act on the eyes, mucous membranes, lungs, and skin.

How do blood agents affect the body?

Blood agents work at the cellular level by preventing the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the body’s cells. This causes the cells to suffocate from lack of oxygen. Cyanide-based agents do so by interrupting the electron transport chain in the inner membranes of mitochondria.

What is the antidote for lewisite?

ANTIDOTE: British Anti-Lewisite (BAL; dimercaprol) binds to the arsenic in lewisite to decrease the toxicity of this agent. BAL is given by intramuscular (IM) injection as an antidote for whole-body (systemic) health effects of lewisite but has no effect on local lesions of the skin, eyes, or airways.

Which signs and symptoms should you expect in a patient with nitrogen mustard exposure?

Immediate signs and symptoms of nitrogen mustard exposure Skin: redness usually develops within several hours after exposure followed by blistering within 6 to 12 hours. Eyes: irritation, pain, swelling, and tearing may occur. High concentrations can cause burns and blindness.

How do you treat blistering agents?

For blister agents, the main treatment is to relieve symptoms. Most people who are exposed get well. An antidote (medicine) exists for lewisite and may be given in the hospital to some patients. Those people with mild sickness may not need treatment with the antidote.

What do blister agents smell like?

This chemical warfare agent can be a vapor, an oily-textured liquid or a solid. It can sometimes smell like garlic, onions or have no odor at all.

What are the symptoms of blood agents?

Symptoms

• Weakness.
• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Drowsiness.
• Confusion.
• Shortness of breath.
• Rapid breathing.
• Nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain.

How do antidotes work?

Antidotes are agents that negate the effect of a poison or toxin. Antidotes mediate its effect either by preventing the absorption of the toxin, by binding and neutralizing the poison, antagonizing its end-organ effect, or by inhibition of conversion of the toxin to more toxic metabolites.

Which signs and symptoms should you expect in a patient with nitrogen mustard exposure quizlet?

What should you do if you get exposed to lewisite?

Go to the highest ground possible, because lewisite is heavier than air and will sink to low-lying areas. If the lewisite release was indoors, get out of the building. If you think you may have been exposed, remove your clothing, rapidly wash your entire body with soap and water, and get medical care as quickly as possible.

How to get lewisite out of Your Eyes?

As quickly as possible, wash any liquid lewisite from your skin with large amounts of soap and water. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes. If you wear contacts, remove them and place them in the bags with the contaminated clothing.

Which is the best antidote for lewisite poisoning?

First Aid. ANTIDOTE: British Anti-Lewisite (BAL; dimercaprol) binds to the arsenic in lewisite to decrease the toxicity of this agent. BAL is given by intramuscular (IM) injection as an antidote for whole-body (systemic) health effects of lewisite but has no effect on local lesions of the skin, eyes, or airways.

When does exposure to lewisite cause a blister?

The blister begins small in the center of a red area, and then expands to include the entire area of inflammation. Exposure to liquid lewisite causes skin lesions to occur sooner than does exposure to vapor. Lewisite is absorbed by the skin within 3 to 5 minutes following exposure, and may result in shock.