Common Household poisonings in children- A Preventable Condition

Dr Bharat Choudhary

Consultant, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, UCC

Parents often think that home is safest place for children. But there are so many things in the house for daily use which could be dangerous to children.  Inherent tendency of infants and toddlers to direct the things from hand to mouth increase the possibility of the same. Over a year in USA, poison center receive 3.6 million calls of such incident, means every eight second one call, so this is quite clear that it is not uncommon. For parent information, describing about few such common household poisons, their effects and methods of prevention.

Common Household poisons-

With increasing number of different chemicals used in home, list of possible household poisons are also increasing. As said by Paracelsus (Father of toxicology)  that – ‘’All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; only the dose permits something not to be poisonous.’’ There is long list of chemicals used on day today basis which can be dangerous for children if taken in significant amount. For example-Pharmaceuticals (pain killers, antiepiletics, antidiabetics, vitamins, iron preparations), hydrocarbons (kerosene, petrol, thinner), cleansers, pesticides, rat killers, cosmetics , plants and much more.

The great majority of such poisonings have no or limited clinical effects. Many of such children require only observation but a few poisons can kill after ingestion of very small amounts. Unintentional poisoning can be much more serious following ingestion of kerosene, caustic agents, herbal remedies, insecticides or herbicides. Management of symptomatic patients involves supportive care, if available the administration of antidotes, and the removal of the offending drug from the body.

Common poisonings, their effect and initial management

S.NO	Poison	System affected	Line of Treatment
1	Pain killer ( paracetamol)	liver and biliary system – liver failure	Gastric lavage, N acetyl cystiene
2	Kerosene	Chemical pneumonitis with acute respiratory distress syndrome	Observation , chest x-ray and monitoring
3	After shave, perfumes, alcohols	CNS and respiratory depression , hypoglycemia	Observation, glucose monitoring, IVF
4	Bleach	Esophageal injury , acidosis	IVF, observation
5	Detergents	Esophageal injuries, chemical pneumonitis	Observation
6	Nail paint remover	Mucosal injuries, respiratory depression , CNS depression	observation
7	Rat Killer	Coagulation system	Vit K , observation, coagulation study
8	Camphor	CNS irritant , seizures	Gastric lavage, antiepileptics, observation
9	Pesticides (Organophosphorous)	Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures	Gastric Lavage, PAM, hospital admission
10	Iron Preparations	Hepatic Dysfunction, renal dysfunction	Gastric lavage, Observation, Deferoximine

Who is at most risk?

Usually toddlers 1-3 years are more prone for such  accidents because they are they are extremely curious and active they tend to put everything in their mouths  their taste buds and sense of smell aren’t developed to warn them that a substance is dangerous because it tastes or smells awful.

How does it happen?

It happens mostly when this chemical is in use and children started playing around them unattended. When they are not properly placed after their use and also when they are not disposed well.

What to do?

If you suspect your child has eaten something which is not to be eaten then

-          Don’t wait for your child to be more sick

-          Don’t panic, remain calm.

-          Nearest Urgent Care Hospital  -  1800–208-1188 ( Toll Free)

-          Call National Poisoning center (AIIMS Poison cell)  26593677, 26589391, 26583282

 Trained professionals will answer your queries, and help to determine the seriousness of a poisoning, and give specific advice on how to deal with the incident. While talking to these centers please be ready to answer common questions like -

• The age and weight of the child, since toxicity usually is based on these factors
• When the child was exposed
• How much the child ate, drank, or spilled
• The child’s general health status
• Whether the child has any signs or symptoms
• What actions have already been taken
• Keep the container near you and read out the content ( either exact brand name, or active ingredient)
• This information is very vital in assisting you and providing proper medical advice.

Don’t DO’s for parents

• If any child accidently taken some household poison and swallowed, the most common mistake parent does is putting fingers in the mouth and try to extract it or make the child vomit. This is very dangerous practice; it does more harm than benefit. This will may lead to pushing the solid object more deeper may be in respiratory tract or if vomiting happens that may increase the chance of aspiration and further complications ,and  if fingers goes more deeper it can injure  oral mucosa also. So attempt to remove the poison should only be done if it is solid and not deep into oral cavity and can be easily removed by fingers.
• Do not give anything by mouth unless advised

How to prevent such Mishappening?

Prevention of such incident can be done by proper storage, use and disposal of these harmful chemicals. Even after taking all the precaution such incidents do happen, so parents should know basic first aid and how to access the poison center. (write to info@urgentcare.co.in if you want to learn first aid )

Following are the basic steps to avoid such incident-

Store toxic products out of reach of children

Medications, Pesticides, house cleansers and other toxic substances should be kept in     shelves at least six feet and above.

Keep products in their original containers

Do not keep medications, chemicals, house cleansers, pesticides in food or beverage container or vice versa. This commonly happen at home, that after medicine or chemical got over they use empty container  for storing other substances or liquids which other person or children does not know and leads to unintentional poisoning.

Keep labels on containers

Label all the containers with name of the product they contain presently and remove the old labels if you are using the container for storing other substance then it was containing originally.

Never combine products

Do not mix household cleansers together because certain combinations can be explosive or can produce toxic fumes.

• Never give medication to children meant for adult.
• Be aware of all kind of medication used in home
• Never refer medication as candy or taste like candy to children
• Always put medications away immediately after use, out of reach and sight, preferably locked away.
• Ensure the cap’s child resistant closure is working correctly after each use.
• Use wax block rat baits, preferably those enclosed in plastic bait stations.
• Don’t leave brushes to soak in mineral turpentine. Clean them immediately or keep them out of sight and reach of children until you can clean them properly.
• Educate your children about the potential harm of common household substances

So to summarize, unintentional household poisonings are common but preventable and if taken appropriate steps timely serious and long term complications can avoided.

For more blogs and write ups like this visit www.urgentcare.co.in