Lead Poisoning
When To Call a Doctor
Call your doctor if you know or suspect that you or someone in your family has lead poisoning, has been exposed to lead, or has ingested a large dose of lead (for example, if your child eats any lead-contaminated paint chips).
Call911or other emergency services immediately if someone has convulsions or is unresponsive.
Call your doctor if you or someone else has either severe abdominal pain or frequent forceful, explosive vomiting usually not preceded by nausea (projectile vomiting).
Call your doctor if you live in an older home with peeling or chipping paint and someone in the house has any of the following symptoms:
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Weakness of hands and feet
- Changes in personality
- Headaches
Call your health professional for advice if someone in your home has a job or hobby that involves the use of lead.
Chronic (long-lasting) lead poisoning often has no symptoms at all. See the Early Detection portion of the Examinations and Tests section of this topic for guidelines on when to test someone for lead poisoning.
Watchful Waiting
Watchful waiting is not appropriate if you think that someone has lead poisoning. Call your health professional.
Who To See
Screening for lead poisoning is usually done by your family doctor, general practitioner, or your child's pediatrician. Any of these doctors can also order tests for blood lead levels.
Treatment for lead poisoning might be done by any of the health professionals above. Or you might be referred to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of poisoning (toxicologist) or a specialist in environmental and occupational medicine.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC | Last Updated: September 26, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology | |
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