How to Detect Arsenic Poisoning

Arsenic is a powerful naturally occurring substance used primarily for exterminating pests. Reading this article will teach you how to detect arsenic poisoning.

Instructions

• 1

  Get a hair follicle examination. Arsenic poisoning is best detected through your hair follicles (your head hair is best). The reason professionals will check your hair follicle in order to detect arsenic poisoning is because arsenic grows with your hair. A toxicologist can take a sample of your hair and can go back weeks at a time and see how much arsenic you have ingested and approximate when you started ingesting arsenic. It is recommended that you don't cut your hair when you plan to get tested for arsenic poisoning.

• 2

  Get tested for arsenic-related cancer. Arsenic can not only cause harsh symptoms in the body as a result of being ingested, but arsenic can also cause cancer. Ingesting arsenic over time can cause: lung cancer, scrotal cancer, liver cancer and skin cancer. If you suspect that you have been poisoned with arsenic over time, following your hair examination, it is encouraged that you get screened for cancer.

• 3

  Be aware of the main symptoms of arsenic poisoning. Sometimes arsenic poisoning will exhibit symptoms and sometimes you won't exhibit any symptoms. Some of the symptoms of arsenic poisoning include: headaches, confusion, fatigue, convulsions, diarrhea, vomiting, blood in the urine, cramping muscles, hair loss and stomach pains. It is recommended that you immediately seek medical attention if you notice these symptoms because if left untreated, arsenic poisoning can lead to coma or death.