Cyanide prevents the cells of the body from using oxygen. When this happens, the cells die. Cyanide is more harmful to the heart and brain than to other organs because the heart and brain use a lot of oxygen.

What is the function of cyanide?

Cyanide poisons the mitochondrial electron transport chain within cells and renders the body unable to derive energy (adenosine triphosphate—ATP) from oxygen. Specifically, it binds to the a3 portion (complex IV) of cytochrome oxidase and prevents cells from using oxygen, causing rapid death.

What happens if you touch cyanide?

Apart from causing acute poisoning, cyanide can cause reactions to the skin due to the irritant nature of cyanide and thus causing an irritant dermatitis termed as “cyanide rash”, which is characterized by itching, vesiculation and disruption of the skin as seen in our case.