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Medical Author:

Christopher B Beach, MD

Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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A person's decision to seek medical care depends on the severity of signs and symptoms and other factors of exposure. If a person accidentally inhales a chemical, he or she will likely want some medical advice. The best advice is to the local poison control center for help. If symptoms are serious, the patient will require immediate treatment at a hospital emergency department.

Home care may be the most important aspect of medical management.

• Quickly get away from the offending chemical or area of exposure. If possible, avoid exposing others to the same chemical. Once you're away from the area, consider further decontamination, such as removing your clothes and showering.
• Alert the appropriate authorities to avoid further casualties.
• Identify and contain the chemical if it safe to do so. Otherwise, keep all people away from the area until trained personnel can safeguard the site.
• Medical evaluation may involve local police, fire department, emergency medical services (EMS), and hazardous materials personnel.

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