Arsenic Poisoning

• severe and continuous nausea or vomiting. Vomit initially contains gastric contents but later becomes blackish or greenish in color (bile) and finally consists of mucus mixed with altered blood
• watery diarrhea  

Along with vomiting and diarrhea, caused by arsenic poisoning you may also see: 

• what mimics shingles (frequently misdiagnosed as shingles)
• hair loss
• drowsiness (sleepiness) 
• lethargic- sluggishness, inactivity, and apathy. A state of unconsciousness resembling deep sleep
• mental and physical fatigue (weakness)
• sunken eyes
• dilated pupils 
• facial edema -swelling caused by fluid accumulation (resulting in puffiness) especially around the lower eyelids, face, legs and ankles.  cutis edema
• heart disturbances
• cardiovascular collapse cardiovascular collapse (relating to the heart and blood vessels
• Hypotension (Abnormally low blood pressure.)
• rapid feeble pulse 
• blood in the urine
• peeling fingernails, hang nails   
• Bloated, swollen stomach 
• Auditory disturbances (ringing in the ears, hearing loss) 
• Diaphoresis  (perspiring) 
• pain
• fever
• headaches 
• loss of appetite
• Seizures and muscle spasms Painful cramps in legs and other muscles
• dermatitis ( skin inflammation.) and/or lesions
• bruising without any trauma
• hyperpigmentation discoloration of the skin, (Excess pigmentation)  also known as mottled, which means spots or blotches of different shades or colors) 
• peeling of the skin 
• generalized itching
• cold, clammy skin  
• A symmetrical peripheral neuropathy is common, usually predominantly sensory classically a painful paresthesia which is a skin sensation, such as burning, prickling, itching, or tingling, with no apparent physical cause.
• numbness, tingling, 
• convulsions 
• dehydration causing intense thirst. Drinking water accentuates vomiting. They may crave coffee or soda pop which has caffeine which further dehydrates them.
• severely wrinkled from dehydration.
• pale, anxious face 
• Pensive look- deeply thoughtful suggesting sadness or depression  or wistfull (wishful yearning) .
• rash around nose and mouth and the skin peels off
• dyspnea Difficulty in breathing, often associated with lung or heart disease and resulting in shortness of breath. Also called air hunger.
• vertigo dizziness, confused, disoriented state of mind
• In severe cases, patients exhibit obvious impairment of cognitive (reasoning or judgement) motor, and language skills. Impaired mental activity
• cerebral infarction (brain cells dying)
• Changes in mental status -Impaired mental activity. Stupor- (dazed)
• hypoxic encephalopathy (lack of oxygen getting to the brain) causing  extreme mental confusion--indicative of brain damage
• Cyanosis (A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes resulting from inadequate oxygenation of the blood.)
• noticeable behavioral changes, most commonly aggression or depression.  
• forgetfulness
• conjunctivitis  Inflammation of the conjunctiva ( mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and the exposed surface of the eyeball. ), characterized by redness and often accompanied by a discharge
• coryza (runny nose)
• Nasal septum perforation
• respiratory disturbances, such as  sighing respiration, difficulty breathing (asthma and sinus problems)
• oral inflammation (internal, including mouth) 
• increased or excessive salivation
• metallic taste
• garlic odor to the breath
• sore throat
• dysphagia (Difficulty in swallowing.)
• excessive "tearing" (eyes)
• vision problems/disturbances
• shock- A potentially fatal physiological reaction usually characterized by marked loss of blood pressure, diminished blood circulation, and inadequate blood flow to the tissues
• Profound reduction of circulation, partial paralysis (cold feet, numb hands)
• hyperkeratosis of palms and soles ( skin thickening such as soles of feet becoming leathery) 
• severe hemorrhagic gastritis causing a burning abdominal (stomach) pain, (Chronic or acute inflammation of the stomach or of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines) with massive fluid loss
• diarrhea accompanied by tenesmus. (which is a painfully urgent but ineffectual attempt to urinate or defecate.)  Anuria-Absence of urine
• electrolyte disturbances. Can be brought on by vomiting and diarrhea causing the body to lose sodium, potassium, or chloride, which are required by cells to regulate the electric charge and flow of water molecules across the cell membrane.) 
• changes in fingernail pigmentation. Several months after poisoning transverse striate Leukonychia (pale bands) on the nails called Mees lines may be seen. However, Mees lines are not commonly seen; of 74 patients with acute and chronic arsenic poisoning, Mees lines occurred in only 5% of the patients.
• limb paralysis (Loss or impairment of the ability to move a body part, usually as a result of damage to its nerve supply.)
• reduced deep tendon reflexes. (Tendon is the band of tough, inelastic fibrous tissue that connects a muscle with its bony attachment. )   

Usually if arsenic is inhaled: 

• cough
• laryngitis
• mild bronchitis
   

  The organs of the body that are usually affected by arsenic poisoning are the lungs, skin, kidneys, and liver.

   

  The final result of arsenic poisoning is coma or death from heart failure.. 

   

If the poison is quickly absorbed then symptoms are mainly cerebro-vascular (of or relating to the blood vessels that supply the brain)

 

 

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