What to do in case of watermelon poisoning: symptoms and recommendations on how to choose a watermelon

In the summer-autumn period, poisoning among children and adults is not uncommon. Watermelon poisoning is considered one of the most common phenomena. Even sweet and aromatic pulp can cause poisoning.

Content:

• How does watermelon poisoning occur?
• Signs of watermelon poisoning
• How to choose the right watermelon so as not to get poisoned
• Providing assistance with watermelon poisoning

How does watermelon poisoning occur?

The cause of watermelon poisoning is due to excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers, which are used by producers to stimulate growth and increase green mass. As a result, this substance accumulates in the soil and then goes directly to the pulp. If the product is not stored correctly, the chemical compound in the watermelon pulp turns into nitrates, which are highly toxic.

Nitrates are subsequently converted to nitrosamines. These substances are carcinogenic. It is dangerous for people with a deficiency of vitamins C and E.

They suppress the formation of these substances and have an antioxidant effect in gastritis and low stomach acidity. Nitrates cause harm to the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

The conversion of nitrates to nitrites can occur in the presence of bacteria. In the markets you can buy not a whole watermelon, but half. Often pieces are cut out for testing.Insemination by bacteria can be observed during improper storage, when the skin of the fruit is broken and bacteria have penetrated into the pulp.

Signs of watermelon poisoning

If the concentration of nitrates in the pulp is low, then the body can independently neutralize them and cope with their elimination. If the level of pathogenic microorganisms exceeds the norm, then the body is not able to cope with their elimination. Characteristic signs of watermelon poisoning are observed within 1-6 hours. A person may be bothered by the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Seething and discomfort in the intestines
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Slight increase in body temperature

Along with the above symptoms diarrhea may be observed, the skin becomes pale, dizziness appears, the pulse rate decreases, etc. A more serious sign of watermelon poisoning is impaired cardiac activity and the symptoms characteristic of this: shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm.

A large amount of nitrates in the body leads to hypoxia due to disruption of the oxygen supply to tissues. Dangerous symptoms of watermelon poisoning include yellowing of the whites of the eyes and a bitter taste in the mouth. These signs indicate liver damage, so immediate action must be taken.

How to choose the right watermelon so as not to get poisoned

Watermelons are available on the market already in mid-summer, but most likely such berries are grown using special additives. The ripening season for watermelons falls at the end of August. You should buy watermelon only at the market, and not from sellers on the side of the roads. Such berries absorb dust well.

When choosing a watermelon, you need to make sure its integrity. It must be free of damage and cracks. The watermelon should be medium in size.A shiny, hard rind will indicate the ripeness of a watermelon. If the peel does not pierce when pressed with a fingernail, then the watermelon is ripe.

To recognize a watermelon filled with nitrates, you need to dip a small piece of pulp into water. Coloring the water pink or red indicates fake ripeness of the watermelon. like this berry cannot be used. Most people choose watermelon based on sound. If you knock on it and the sound is clear, then the watermelon is ripe, but if it is dull, then it is not yet ripe. These simple recommendations will help you choose a ripe watermelon and avoid poisoning.

Providing assistance with watermelon poisoning

For mild poisoning, treatment can be carried out at home. The patient should rinse the stomach: give about 4-5 glasses of still water to drink and induce vomiting. It is recommended to add potassium permanganate to the water, but the solution should not be very concentrated. Instead of potassium permanganate, you can use salt.

Video about what to do if you are poisoned by watermelon:

The rinsing procedure must be carried out until clean water comes out. After this, the patient should drink enterosorbents: activated carbon, Enterosgel, Smecta, Polysorb. One of these medications is used for 3-5 days.

In the future, the patient must adhere to a diet that involves excluding fatty, spicy and smoked foods. It should be remembered that if you have any symptoms of intoxication, you should not take painkillers and antidiarrheal drugs. They weaken the immune system and inhibit the elimination of toxic substances. substances.

In severe cases, when a person is unconscious, it is forbidden to induce vomiting, since vomit entering the respiratory tract can cause asphyxia.In severe cases, you should consult a doctor. An ambulance should be called in case of impaired consciousness, severe diarrhea and vomiting, disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, as well as if a child or pregnant woman has been poisoned by watermelon.

To avoid poisoning in the summer-autumn period, it is recommended to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Do not buy watermelon in early summer or autumn and only in trusted places.
2. It is not advisable to cut and taste watermelon at the market, as pathogenic microorganisms can get into the pulp.
3. Before eating, be sure to wash the berries.
4. It is prohibited to store watermelon for more than a day.
5. It is not recommended to consume watermelon with fibrous pulp or if there are veins.
6. You should not buy a watermelon with a cut or a suspicious smell.

The pulp near the peel should not be eaten. It is in this place that harmful substances usually accumulate. These are common measures prevention, will help avoid watermelon poisoning.