Nicotine is a naturally occurring substance found in tobacco plant leaves. It has a bitter taste and can be found in cigarettes, chewing tobacco, nicotine gum, nicotine patches and pipe tobacco. Nicotine poisoning occurs most often in young children when they chew nicotine gum or patches. These are used in attempts to quit smoking. When nicotine poisoning is suspected, a poison control center should be contacted. Individuals should not be made to throw up unless directed by a poison control center or a medical professional. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the symptoms of nicotine poisoning are similar to those that result from being exposed to a nerve agent.
Breathing and Heart Rate
The symptoms of nicotine poisoning associated with breathing include rapid breathing, stoppages in breathing and difficulty with breathing. The heart rate can become accelerated. Heartbeats can be pounding and fast, followed by a period of an abnormally slow heart rate. Fainting is another symptom that can result from nicotine poisoning.
Other Physical Symptoms
The symptoms of nicotine poisoning include abdominal cramps and vomiting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list diarrhea and excess oral secretions symptoms. Drooling is a symptom that can be classified as an excess oral secretion. Weakness, headaches, convulsions and the twitching of muscles are also symptoms of nicotine poisoning. An individual with nicotine poisoning can become depressed, and there can be increases in restlessness, agitation or levels of an excited state. Confusion, convulsions and a coma can also result from nicotine poisoning.
Contacting Help
When contacting a poison control center or a medical professional, there is information about the person suspected of having nicotine poisoning that will facilitate help. This information includes the person's age, weight and condition. The type and amount of nicotine consumed or inhaled should also be relayed as well as the time it was inhaled or consumed.
