Patient education: Accidental ingestion in children (The Basics)

What is an accidental ingestion? — 

This means swallowing medicine, chemicals, poison, or another harmful substance by accident.

Young children often put things in their mouths. If they swallow something they shouldn't, it can cause serious problems. For example, children might swallow:

●Medicines or drugs

●Alcohol

●Cleaning products or sanitizers

●Poison used to kill insects or rodents

●Oils

Different chemicals and other substances can cause different injuries. These can affect the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, or lungs. Some chemicals only cause mild symptoms. Others can do serious long-term damage.

What are the symptoms of accidental ingestion? — 

It depends on what the child swallowed and how much. Some children have no symptoms. Others have symptoms like belly pain or vomiting.

Symptoms of more serious poisoning can include:

●Trouble swallowing

●Drooling

●Hoarse voice

●Confusion

●Changes in behavior

●Changes in body temperature

●Trouble breathing

●Changes in heart rate

●Passing out

●Seizures

What should I do if my child accidentally swallows something? — 

If your child swallows something that might be dangerous, call the Poison Center. In the US, the phone number is 1-800-222-1222. If the Poison Center tells you to, take your child to a doctor or nurse or go to the emergency department.

If possible, be prepared to tell the doctor or nurse:

●What your child swallowed

●How much they swallowed

●When this happened

It also helps to bring the chemical or product with you. This way, the doctor or nurse can look at all the ingredients.

Do not try to make your child vomit.

Will my child need tests? — 

Maybe. The doctor or nurse will do an exam, learn about your child's symptoms, and ask questions about what they swallowed. They will order tests if your child has symptoms of poisoning or swallowed something that could cause symptoms later.

Different tests can be used to check for specific substances in the body or to look for problems that accidental ingestion can cause. Your child might need:

●Blood tests

●Urine tests

●Electrocardiogram ("ECG") – This measures the electrical activity in the heart.

●Chest X-ray

How is an accidental ingestion treated? — 

Treatment depends on the child's symptoms and what they swallowed. The medical staff will monitor the child for problems.

Treatment might include:

●"Activated charcoal" – This can help keep the substance from entering the child's blood.

●Fluids given through an IV (a thin tube that goes into a vein)

●Medicines to treat symptoms such as changes in heart rate or seizures

●Medicine to reverse the effect of the swallowed substance – This is called an "antidote." However, most poisons do not have a specific antidote.

●A breathing tube, if the child is having trouble breathing

How can I prevent accidental ingestions? — 

There are things you can do to keep your home safe and lower the risk of accidental ingestion. It's important to:

●Keep all medicines out of reach of children. Get rid of old medicines when they are expired or no longer needed.

●Store possibly harmful substances where children cannot get to them. Examples include alcohol, cleaning products, insect or rodent poisons, perfumes, and other chemicals. If any of these are stored within reach of children, use child safety locks on cabinets and drawers.

●Keep cleaning products, medicines, and other chemicals in their original containers. This lowers the risk of someone mistaking a harmful substance for something else. Make sure containers are closed fully and stored safely.

●Check for dangerous substances in other places where your child spends time. Examples include a babysitter's or grandparent's home.

●Teach your child:

•Not to drink or eat anything unless a trusted adult gave it to them

•Medicine is not candy, and it can be dangerous to take too much

More on this topic

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