Symptoms of watermelon poisoning and effective treatment
People who care about their health make sure to include in their diet as many different products as possible, but a special place is always given to vegetables and fruits. The beneficial qualities of watermelons are well known, but is it possible that the sweet fragrant pulp could cause malaise or even serious poisoning?
Indeed, in the summer months, physicians have noted a wave of complaints related to disorders caused by melons. What are the symptoms and treatment of watermelon poisoning, and what can provoke it?
Reasons for watermelon poisoning
If a good quality watermelon gets on the table, then there is nothing to fear - health will not suffer, the body's reserves will be replenished with trace elements and vitamins, and accumulated toxins and toxins will go away with moisture.
- Exceeding the existing norms for the content of nitrates in fruits, caused, in most cases, by excessive application nitrogen fertilizers... If, subject to agricultural technology, nitrogen contributes to the development of plants and the accumulation of green mass, then in excess it accumulates in the soil, and then in the fruits of cultivated plants, which include watermelon.
- Watermelon poisoning is also possible when inseminated by pathogenic microorganisms. This happens when the skin of the fruit is broken in one way or another, and bacteria have penetrated into the pulp already during storage.
With a difference in the causes of watermelon poisoning, treatment in both cases is serious, and the consequences can be the most unpleasant.
Signs of watermelon poisoning
If the concentration of nitrates or pathogenic microorganisms entering the digestive tract with the pulp is not so high, then the body itself copes with their neutralization and excretion through the intestines and urinary system. But in the presence of critical amounts of dangerous microorganisms and compounds, the body can no longer cope. As a result of biochemical processes, nitrates are converted into more dangerous nitrites, and the picture of bacterial infection is growing.
An adult can withstand a daily dose of nitrates, equal to 60 mg per kilogram of body weight, and children and patients with disorders of the genitourinary sphere and digestion suffer even with smaller amounts of nitrogenous compounds.
The first signs of watermelon poisoning can be observed already after 1-6 hours after a meal. Most often, poisoning manifests itself in the form of:
- pain, boiling and discomfort in the intestinal area;
- nausea, accompanied by vomiting;
- feelings of general weakness;
- headache;
- a slight increase in body temperature;
- chills and sweating.
The general picture of poisoning is supplemented by diarrhea arising from eating a poor-quality watermelon. But the list of symptoms is not limited to this, if there were excessive amounts of nitrates in the eaten fruit.
In such a situation, due to the ability of nitrites to replace hemoglobin in the blood, poisoning is complicated by hypoxia, when the body is in dire need of oxygen.
The salient features of this condition include:
- pallor and possible blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes, lips and nail plates;
- decreased overall tone;
- dizziness and extreme weakness;
- decrease in saturation and heart rate;
- drop in temperature of the skin of the limbs;
- convulsions.
In the most serious cases, cardiac dysfunction is added to the signs of watermelon poisoning. A recently healthy, cheerful person has shortness of breath, heart rhythm irregularities, and a drop in blood pressure.
Nitrite not only disrupts oxygen supply to tissues, but also causes blood vessels to dilate. As a result, hypoxia only intensifies.
Excessive amounts of nitrates that have entered the digestive tract have a destructive effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, as a result, diarrhea from watermelon is not uncommon, where feces become almost black due to blood impurities.
Among the dangerous symptoms of watermelon poisoning include the yellowness of the whites of the eyes, as well as the bitterness in the mouth after the watermelon. Such sensations can signal liver damage, as well as the need for urgent measures. However, it is worth noting that even a high-quality watermelon, having a choleretic effect, can leave behind a bitter taste in the mouth if a person already has identified or hidden problems with the pancreas or liver.
That is why, and also because of the ability of watermelon to activate intestinal peristalsis, to the question: "Is it possible to eat watermelon in case of poisoning?", Doctors answer negatively. Although watermelon contains many useful substances, mineral salts, moisture and vitamins, fruits should not be used to cleanse the body of toxins. There are specialized preparations and techniques for this.
What to do in case of watermelon poisoning? How dangerous is this condition, and should you see a doctor?
Treatment after watermelon poisoning
In a situation where signs of poisoning become apparent, it is important to take measures as soon as possible to neutralize the hazardous substances that have entered the body. With a mild degree, a set of measures can and should be started at home.
- For gastric lavage, the patient is allowed to drink warm water with the addition of a small amount of potassium permanganate and sodium chloride. After drinking the liquid, they provoke an attack of vomiting in order to clear the stomach and esophagus from the remnants of watermelon pulp. The procedure is repeated several times until the leaving water is completely clear.
- The residual content of toxins and other harmful compounds are designed to collect medicinal preparations - sorbents. This measure of treatment of watermelon poisoning is necessary for any condition of the patient.
- When signs of watermelon poisoning appear, you need to drink as much as possible, this will activate the kidneys, which also remove harmful substances.
Sweet hot tea with a slice of lemon will help to rejuvenate and relieve attacks of nausea and vomiting. But taking antipyretic, pain relieving or diarrhea drugs is not worth it, because by their action they can change the picture of the disease, as well as slow down the elimination of toxins.
If vomiting and diarrhea after a watermelon does not stop, and, in addition, health-threatening symptoms appear, for example, chills, clouding of consciousness, loss of orientation in space and an irregular heart rhythm, a medical call is simply necessary.
In a hospital setting or when receiving emergency medical care, the patient receives support for the liver and cardiovascular system, neutralization of nitrites and nitrates, and oxygen starvation is also eliminated. Since watermelon poisoning can be bacterial in nature, it is imperative that tests are carried out for the presence of E. coli, salmonella and other microorganisms that have a negative effect on a person.
Symptoms and treatment of watermelon poisoning in a child
Children are less likely to tolerate the ingestion of nitrates, pesticides and other chemicals that unscrupulous brokers and traders use to pump watermelons and other types of melons. Due to the unformed immune system, lower blood volume and other factors, intoxication is always difficult, and signs of dehydration develop rapidly.Treatment of watermelon poisoning here should be as quick and effective as possible.
Therefore, watermelon is contraindicated for children under one year of age, and it is also important to refuse to use fruits of unverified quality for nursing mothers, because nitrogen compounds easily enter milk and further into the baby's body. At an older age, children should also not eat watermelons uncontrollably. The optimal serving is 100-250 grams.
And yet, what to do with watermelon poisoning if a child has suffered from a poor-quality fruit? Immediately after the appearance of signs of watermelon poisoning, measures must be taken to alleviate the child's condition. For this:
- with the help of salted pink solution from potassium permanganate, a baby over 5 years old induce vomiting;
- younger children are given a cleansing enema;
- give drugs sorbents and agents that can prevent the development of dehydration;
- provide an abundant drink.
Whatever the condition, never give analgesics. If the child does not feel relief, doctors are called in 2 hours after fixing the poisoning.
Watermelon poisoning during pregnancy
Signs and treatment of watermelon poisoning in pregnant women differ little from those already described. However, in this case, it is important to remember that even the improper use of pulp rich in moisture, fiber and trace elements can cause a deterioration in well-being.
In order to avoid unwanted spasms and activation of intestinal motility, pregnant women are not recommended to consume watermelon during or after the main meal, especially with rye bread or other cereal products.
The main danger of eating watermelons containing nitrates is the already described hypoxia, which is extremely dangerous for the fetus. At the first symptoms of watermelon poisoning, treatment should be immediate, so it is important to seek qualified medical help as soon as possible.
Prevention of watermelon poisoning
And although doctors every summer are forced to celebrate a surge in watermelon poisoning, it is not difficult to avoid most of these cases and to protect yourself and your loved ones:
- You should not buy watermelons before the mass harvest season in mid-August. Most often, such fruits are "rich" not in vitamins, but in nitrates and dyes.
- Watermelons bought in late autumn, due to natural reasons, can also lose quality and cause a deterioration in well-being.
- You cannot buy cracked or incised fruits, on the pulp of which pathogenic flora immediately settles.
- The color of the flesh of a high-quality watermelon is monochromatic; rough veins, traces of fermentation or mucus are not visible on the cut.
- Before serving, the bark of the watermelon is thoroughly washed and wiped dry.
- A sign of the presence of nitrates is the color of water after even a small slice is dipped into it.
- The cut watermelon cannot be stored at room temperature, and the fruit does not lose quality for about a day in the refrigerator.
When eating a purchased watermelon, you should not try to eat all the pulp to the very rind. It is in the white layer of the bark and in the surrounding layer of pulp that the bulk of the nitrates accumulated by the watermelon is concentrated.
I think I was poisoned (Nauseous. I ate a watermelon recently, but quite a bit. What to do?
If recently, it is better to immediately induce vomiting. 2 fingers in the mouth on the root of the tongue and ... This is the fastest way to remove toxins from the body. Prepare a weak solution of potassium permanganate or soda, drink and induce the gag reflex again. Repeat several times until clean wash water. Next, you need to use sorbents in order to collect toxins or bacteria that have gone into the intestines. Activated carbon 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. For the best effect, the tablets must be crushed. To remove toxins that have been absorbed into the blood, drinking plenty of boiled water will help.Be healthy.
Yes, if vomited, then that's good. Then you can still start taking Enterosgel in order to completely remove toxins and harmful substances from the body. I always do this and I feel much better. I never poisoned with a watermelon ... and it is not necessary.
Often after drinking watermelon on a warm summer evening, a person's general well-being may sharply deteriorate, nausea and vomiting may appear.