Poisoning/accidental swallowing

 

Poisoning happens when a harmful substance is swallowed, breathed in, or touches the skin, eyes, or inside the mouth or nose.

If your child has swallowed something like a battery, coin, or magnet, please click here to go to the right page for help. Accidental swallowing of harmful substances happens most often with young children, especially toddlers. This type of poisoning makes up about 2 out of every 100 visits to the hospital.

Common things that cause poisoning include medicines and household or garden products, such as soaps, cleaning products, and chemicals used in the garden.

Please fill out a survey here if a foreign body has been ingested.

  • Is choking
  • Breathing very fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink 
  • Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
  • Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
  • Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
  • Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
  • Has a fit (seizure)
  • Severe tummy pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Eye pain or redness 

You need urgent help.

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999

Please ensure you have the substance with you

If your child has any of the following: 

  • Rash or skin irritation 
  • Vomiting / mild abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
  • Dry skin, lips or tongue
  • Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
  • Irritable (Unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or hugs even after their fever has come down)
  • Getting worse or you are worried about them

If the substance is: 

  • A medication
  • A poisonous plant
  • The bottle / packet suggests seeking medical help or has any warning symbols

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111

Please ensure you have the substance with you

If none of the above features are present.

Your child has no symptons and has ingested a non harmful substance.

Self care

Continue providing your child’s care at home. If they go on to develop any symptoms or if you are still concerned about your child, please call 111

Information to help the health professional - substance:

  1. What substance did your child swallow or touch?
  2. When did this happen? How long ago?
  3. How did they come into contact with it? Did they swallow, breathe it in, lick it, etc.?
  4. How much of the substance was taken?

Information to help the health professional – your child:

  1. How old is your child and what is their estimated weight?
  2. Do they have any existing medical conditions?
  3. Are they taking any medications or treatments?
  4. Do they have any allergies?

What to do after seeking advice or being discharged from the hospital:

  1. Monitor your child for the next 1-2 days.
  2. Let them eat or drink normally.
  3. Follow the steps above if you are concerned about your child.
  4. Read the “Prevention is Better Than Cure” advice below.

Prevention is better than cure

The best way to prevent accidental swallowing or exposure is to keep harmful substances out of your child's reach. Children can be very clever and get into things, but by following the tips below, you can help reduce the risk. Remember the “Keep SAFE 6 Rule”:

  1. Safe Storage – Keep things out of reach and out of sight. This includes medicines, oils, vape liquids, perfumes, and laundry products.
  2. Safe Containers – Store medicines in locked containers and always use safety caps.
  3. Safe Labels – Keep medicines in their original packaging.
  4. Safe Use – Always use products and medications as directed, and never pretend they are sweets.
  5. Safe Disposal – Take medicines and other products to the pharmacy for proper disposal, or follow instructions on the packaging.
  6. Safe Home – Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home, make sure it works, and change the batteries when needed.

Further advice can be found here. 

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