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Health Checker Says I May Have Been Exposed To. Phosgene
Question: Health checker says I may have been exposed to. Phosgene gas :? How and what do I do. I have been to several dr .have edems blood tests good ultra sound good heart and legs . Weak . Blurred vision . Watery eyes . Wake up caked with something stuck shut . Mouth lesions .?
Could this be related to an acquaintance. I was working with to help move . Was in a big hurry and put something in my coffee ,he said it was just a little pick me up. Dudnt think much of it yntill I could t sleep that day
Brief Answer:
Can be allergic reaction instead of phosphene gas
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to Ask A Doctor service. Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all it's sad to know what you had been going through lately.
Based on the history you have shared, though phosphene exposure is usually related to farmers as during wheat pills etc when interact with water can release phosphine, and rarely used in domestic use as insect killer. Also that, it has very peculiar and pungent smell which is recognised from long so insensualor incidental exposure seems less likely. Many countries have banned its use because of absence of its anti dote and toxic effects on humans.
Your symptoms can also be due to some allergen exposure during the shifting as dust or any fungal particle can trigger runny eyes, nose, dizziness, and mouth swelling. If all the work up is normal, that also suggest less likely toxin exposure however a urinary toxicology screening can be done to rule out any ingestion of some other toxin. Meanwhile OTC analgesics like acetaminophen and anti histamines like cetrizine can be used to see the response.
if still in doubt, an ER visit and confirming, oxygen saturation and blood gases and to check for acidity of blood may be helpful to rule out the possibility.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Regards
Can be allergic reaction instead of phosphene gas
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to Ask A Doctor service. Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all it's sad to know what you had been going through lately.
Based on the history you have shared, though phosphene exposure is usually related to farmers as during wheat pills etc when interact with water can release phosphine, and rarely used in domestic use as insect killer. Also that, it has very peculiar and pungent smell which is recognised from long so insensualor incidental exposure seems less likely. Many countries have banned its use because of absence of its anti dote and toxic effects on humans.
Your symptoms can also be due to some allergen exposure during the shifting as dust or any fungal particle can trigger runny eyes, nose, dizziness, and mouth swelling. If all the work up is normal, that also suggest less likely toxin exposure however a urinary toxicology screening can be done to rule out any ingestion of some other toxin. Meanwhile OTC analgesics like acetaminophen and anti histamines like cetrizine can be used to see the response.
if still in doubt, an ER visit and confirming, oxygen saturation and blood gases and to check for acidity of blood may be helpful to rule out the possibility.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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