What is Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS)
Green tobacco sickness can happen when your skin is exposed to wet tobacco leaves. The nicotine in the tobacco leaves is absorbed into your body and may make you experience symptoms such as nausea.
What are the causes?
GTS is caused by skin contact with wet tobacco leaves.
What increases the risk?
- Age. Children are more commonly affected.
- Working in agriculture with tobacco.
What are the signs or symptoms?
- Nausea.
- Increased sweating.
- Abdominal cramping.
- Dizziness.
- Vomiting.
- Increased salivation.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Diarrhea.
- Weakness.
- Headache.
- Rapid breathing.
How is this diagnosed?
Your health care provider may diagnose GTS by:
- Medical history.
- Physical exam.
How is this treated?
Treatment for GTS may include:
- Medicines.
- Washing your skin well with soap and water.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
- Rest as needed.
How is this prevented?
- Wear waterproof clothing and gloves while handling tobacco leaves.
- Change into clean, dry clothing and boots if your clothes become wet while you are handling tobacco leaves.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your symptoms remain after treatment.
- You have a fever.
- Your nausea is worse.
- Your abdominal cramping is worse.
- Your salivation is worse.
- Your diarrhea is worse.
- You feel weaker.
- You have a headache or feel dizzy.
Get help right away if:
- You feel confused.
- You have persistent nausea or vomiting.
- You have increased sweating or you have stopped sweating.
- You faint.
- You have rapid breathing.
- You have trouble breathing.
