Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
Your child was seen in the ED after they swallowed medicine, chemicals, poison, or another harmful substance by accident. This is called an "accidental ingestion."
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.
Your child might have belly pain, vomiting, or other symptoms.
The doctor thinks it is safe for your child to recover at home. How long it will take for your child to recover depends on the kind of chemical they swallowed and how much.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Your child can eat their regular diet. If certain foods cause your child pain or discomfort, avoid them until your child is fully recovered.
●If your child has stomach or throat pain, you can give them acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol). Do not give them ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve) until they are fully recovered. Always check the medicine label carefully to make sure you give the right dose.
●To keep children safe from possibly harmful chemicals:
•Keep all medicines and possibly harmful chemicals out of reach of children. Get rid of old medicines when they are expired or no longer needed.
•Keep cleaning products, medicines, and other chemicals in their original containers.
•Check for dangerous substances in other places where your child spends time.
•Teach your child not to drink or eat anything unless a trusted adult gave it to them. Teach them medicine is not candy, and taking too much can be dangerous.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•Your child has severe trouble swallowing.
•Your child is having so much trouble breathing they can only say 1 or 2 words at a time.
•Your child needs to sit upright to breathe, or cannot lie down.
•Your child has sudden severe belly pain, or constant belly pain.
•Your child vomits blood or passes a lot of blood in their bowel movements.
•Your child's belly gets very hard or swollen.
●Return to the ED if your child has:
•Chest pain
•Trouble breathing when talking or sitting still
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your child has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●Your child has nausea or vomiting that isn't getting better, and is having trouble keeping down food and drink.
●Your child's bowel movements are black or tar colored.
●Your child has new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Accidental ingestion in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Acetaminophen poisoning (The Basics)
Patient education: Lead poisoning (The Basics)
