What are the signs and symptoms of exposure to lewisite?

What are the signs and symptoms of exposure to lewisite?

Eyes: irritation, pain, swelling, and tearing may occur on contact. Respiratory tract: runny nose, sneezing, hoarseness, bloody nose, sinus pain, shortness of breath, and cough. Digestive tract: diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Cardiovascular: “Lewisite shock” or low blood pressure may occur.

Is phosgene oxime a blister agent?

Agent Characteristics DESCRIPTION: Phosgene oxime is an urticant (nettle agent). On contact with the skin, it causes redness (erythema) and hives (wheals and urticaria). Phosgene oxime does not produce blistering (vesication).

Which CW agent causes severe pain and stinging of the skin?

Phosgene oxime produces instant and almost unbearable pain on exposed skin and exposed eyes. When inhaled, it causes immediate irritation to the respiratory (breathing) tract. Phosgene oxime can penetrate clothing and rubber faster than other chemical warfare agents.

How do you treat lewisite?

Treatment. British anti-lewisite, also called dimercaprol, is the antidote for lewisite. It can be injected to prevent systemic toxicity, but will not prevent injury to the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. Chemically, dimercaprol binds to the arsenic in lewisite.

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.

How harmful is phosgene?

Phosgene is extremely toxic by acute (short-term) inhalation exposure. Severe respiratory effects, including pulmonary edema, pulmonary emphysema, and death have been reported in humans. Severe ocular irritation and dermal burns may result following eye or skin exposure.

What does phosgene oxime smell like?

Also known as “L,” this agent smells like geraniums and could also be confused with ammonia. Specific information about this agent is very limited. It was first produced as a chemical warfare agent in 1929, but was never actually used in the battlefield. Phosgene oxime has an irritating odor.

What are choking agents?

Background. Pulmonary agents (also known as “choking” agents) compose a class of chemical compounds that disrupt normal breathing. They encompass a wide array of gases, including chlorine, ammonia, phosgene, organohalides, and nitrogen oxides.

What to know about chemical skin burns?

Chemical Skin Burn 1 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: A chemical skin burn occurs when skin is damaged by chemicals. 2 DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS: 3 Follow up with your healthcare provider or burn specialist in 1 day: Chemical burns may be worse… 4 Medicines: Pain medicine: Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine.

What is a chemical burn first aid?

Chemical burns: First aid. Chemical burns can be caused by many substances, such as strong acids, drain cleaners (lye), paint thinner and gasoline. Usually, you are aware of the burn and its cause. But sometimes you may not immediately recognize a burn caused by a milder chemical.

How long does it take for a chemical burn to develop?

As with some sunburns, the pain and redness may develop hours after the exposure. Call 911 or seek immediate care for a chemical burn in which the burn: Covers an area larger than 3 inches (about 8 centimeters) in diameter

What factors affect the amount of tissue damage from chemical burns?

Tissue damage from chemical burns depends on several factors. 1 The strength or concentration of the agent. 2 The site of contact (eye, skin, mucous membrane). 3 Whether swallowed or inhaled. 4 Whether or not skin is intact. 5 With the quantity of the chemical. 6 (more items)