DIAGNOSIS
Green tobacco sickness is clinicaly diagnosed through assessing the symptoms, as well as looking at the patient’s history of handling tobacco leaves. A test for urinary or serum nicotine, which has a half-life of three to four hours, can be used to diagnose green tobacco sickness. However, in the case of people who do not use tobacco, cotinine, which is a nicotine metabolite and has a half-life of thirty-six hours, can be helpful in making the diagnosis.
TREATMENT
The first line of treatment for green tobacco sickness is to stop handling tobacco for the meantime. Affected patients are also advised to shower and change their clothes, which could be the source of contamination.
Aside from that, resting and drinking enough fluids is highly recommended. Since the symptoms often goes away within 24 hours, this initial treatment for green tobacco sickness is usually sufficient.
However, for some extreme cases, the administration of the following may be required:
Furthermore, the following procedures can be done to decrease the chances of acquiring GTS:
- Wearing socks, boots, and gloves that are resistant of chemicals
- Using dimenhydrinate
- Wearing water-resistant protective gears
- Working in dry conditions