Poisoning with watermelon or melon can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, abdominal discomfort, weakness, and increased sweating, said gastroenterologist Lyudmila Sukhorukova.
In the case of nitrate poisoning, these symptoms may be accompanied by:
- heaviness and pain in the right hypochondrium,
- low blood pressure,
- rapid breathing,
- increased heart rate,
- ringing or noise in the ears,
- coldness,
- blue extremities,
- drowsiness
- loss of consciousness, even coma.
— First aid for poisoning: drink more fluids. For this, regular still water, fruit compotes (not juices) or slightly sweetened water are suitable, — the doctor said.
If you have diarrhea, you can take over-the-counter medications. If vomiting lasts for several hours, seek help. Both diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, which is a very dangerous condition.
The doctor also recommends that if you have poisoning, you should avoid eating and never drink alcohol. If symptoms last longer than a day, consult a doctor.
It can take from an hour to two days from the time you eat watermelon or melon until the first symptoms of poisoning appear.
Learn more about nitrate poisoning.
Nitrate poisoning is a condition that results from excessive consumption of nitrates, which can be converted to nitrites in the body. Nitrates are commonly found in vegetables, water, and some foods.
The main sources of nitrates are vegetables (e.g., beets, spinach), contaminated drinking water, and some preservatives. Harmful levels of nitrates can result from improper use of fertilizers in agriculture.
Nitrites, which are formed from nitrates, can bind to hemoglobin in the blood, converting it to methemoglobin, which cannot carry oxygen effectively. This leads to oxygen starvation of tissues.
Common symptoms of nitrate poisoning include headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, cyanosis of the skin (especially the lips and nails), weakness and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
Nitrate poisoning is most often observed in infants, since their bodies are less resistant to high levels of nitrates.
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Important! Information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and do not self-medicate under any circumstances. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.