Toxins are poisonous substances that can harm your body. If your doctor is concerned that your symptoms are caused by exposure to a toxic substance, they may ask you about your home, your work, your family, and other aspects of your environment.
You also may have blood tests or X-rays to find out if a toxin is in your body. For example, you may have been around smoke from a fire. Or you may have been around fumes from paints, solvents, or waste products from workshops or factories. But in some cases it may be hard to find out what you may have been exposed to. Sometimes it can take years before you have symptoms. For instance, a miner may have lung disease many years after working in mines. And being exposed to some toxins can make health problems you already have worse.
A toxin is a poison made by living cells or organisms. Toxins can cause health problems on contact or when they are absorbed by the body.
The severity of a reaction to a toxin varies greatly. A bee sting causes a minor reaction in most people. But eating food containing botulinum toxin can cause a deadly reaction. Usually, the severity of the health problem caused by a toxin depends on:
Treatment can be as simple as staying away from the toxin and limiting future exposure. In some cases, treatment with medicines can prevent serious illness.
Keep in mind that the farther away you are from a hazardous source, the less exposure you will receive.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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