Related topics: •  First Aid Essentials

First, get whatever your child has swallowed away from him. Then make him spit out anything that's left in his mouth. Keep a sample -- unless you have the container -- in case it's needed to identify the poison. If you notice any of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately:

•Difficulty breathing

•Nausea or vomiting

•Stomach cramps without fever

•Severe throat pain

•Burns on the lips or mouth

•Unusual drooling or strange odors on your child's breath

•Convulsions or unconsciousness

•Abrupt and unexplained changes in behavior, such as extreme sleepiness or irritability

Do not try to make your child vomit unless specifically advised to do so by a poison control expert or medical professional. If your child has swallowed a strong acid such as a toilet bowl cleaner, or a strong alkali such as a drain or oven cleaner, vomiting can cause further injury by burning your child's throat and mouth.

If your child doesn't have any of the serious symptoms listed above, call the national poison hotline or your child's doctor. The poison hotline's number is 1-800-222-1222.

Experts at the poison center need to know your child's approximate weight, any medical conditions he may have, any medications he may be taking, and as much information about the substance he has swallowed as you can give. If possible, have the container with you when you make the call. The poison center may need to know the ingredients listed on the label. If your child has swallowed a prescription or over-the-counter medication, have the bottle or tube handy to provide all the necessary information. If you can, estimate the maximum number of pills your child could have swallowed by subtracting any pills you can account for from the original number in the bottle. If your child has swallowed something like part of a plant, describe it as completely as you can.

While parents previously were advised to keep syrup of ipecac on hand to induce vomiting in certain controlled circumstances, this is no longer considered advisable or even safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement in November 2003 advising parents to get rid of the syrup if they have any in the house. The organization is concerned that syrup of ipecac may be misused -- and it isn't effective in removing all the poison the child has ingested.

Remove the affected clothes and rinse the exposed skin with lukewarm water. If the skin looks burned, continue rinsing for at least 15 minutes. Call the poison center for more advice.

Immediately flush your child's eye with lukewarm water. This may not be easy if your child is upset or frightened. If another adult is present, ask for help holding your child while you run the water toward the inside of the eye to flush out the toxic substance. If you're alone, wrap your child tightly with a towel or a blanket and hold him under one arm. Flush the eye by holding the eyelids open and pouring lukewarm water gently into the inner corner. Reassure your child while you continue flushing the eye for 15 minutes. Then call the poison center. Do not use eye drops or an eyecup unless the experts there tell you to.

Get your child into the fresh air as quickly as possible. If your child isn't breathing, start CPR immediately. If possible, ask someone to call 911. If you're alone, perform CPR until help arrives or your child begins breathing on his own.

Poison-proof your house. Keep all drugs, medications, household cleaning products, and cosmetics out of your child's reach. Buy medicines with safety caps. Use safety latches on all drawers and cabinets that contain dangerous substances or objects. Post telephone numbers for the poison center and other emergency numbers near every telephone in your home, and keep a copy in your wallet for emergencies away from home. Also be sure all your babysitters know how to locate emergency medical supplies and emergency phone numbers.

There are a few more ways to reduce the danger of poisonings. Never put harmful substances into containers, such as empty juice bottles, that look like they're holding something your child eats or drinks. Never tell your child that medicine is candy in order to get him to take it. Don't keep toothpaste, soap, shampoos, or other commonly used items in the same cabinet as dangerous products. And be extra vigilant if your child has swallowed a poison in the past; a child who has had one poisoning accident is more likely to be involved in another one.

References

Last updated October 26, 2009
Copyright © 1999 Consumer Health Interactive

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