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First-Aid for Poisonings
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Sometimes accidental poisonings can be treated in the home following the direction of a poison control center or your child's physician. At other times, emergency medical care is necessary.
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Swallowed poison: |
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If you find your child with an open or empty container of a toxic substance, your child may have been poisoned. Stay calm and act quickly:
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- Get the poison away from the child.
- If the substance is still in the child's mouth, make your child spit it out or remove it with your fingers (keep this along with any other evidence of what the child has swallowed).
- Do not make the child vomit (your child's physician or poison control center will instruct you when it is necessary to make the child vomit).
- Do not follow instructions on packaging regarding poisoning as these are often outdated; instead call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately for instructions.
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If your child has any of the following symptoms, call 911 right away.
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- Trouble breathing.
- Unconscious or unable to be awakened.
- Lip or mouth burns or blisters.
- Seizures or unconsciousness.
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NOTE: More than 75% of accidental poisoning cases can be managed without need of an Emergency Department. The first call should be to 1-800-222-1222. Calling 911 should be initiated when the patient is unconscious, has (or has suffered) a seizure, or has breathing difficulty. When a Poison Center is called, the staff assess the need of 911 and ambulance transport for all cases that may need a medical evaluation and treatment.
Following any child's exposure to potentially poisonous substances, call 1-800-222-1222. Be ready to provide:
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- Your name and phone number.
- Your child's name, age and weight.
- Any medical conditions your child may have.
- Any medications your child may be taking.
- The name of the substance your child swallowed - read it from the container and spell it.
- The time your child swallowed the poison (or when you found your child), and the amount you think was swallowed.
- Any symptoms your child may be having.
- If the substance was a prescription medication, give all the information on the label including the name of the drug.
- If the name of the drug is not on the label, give the name and phone number of the pharmacy and the date of the prescription.
- What the pill looked like (if you can tell) and if it had any printed numbers or letters on it.
- If your child swallowed another substance, such as a part of a plant, describe it as much as you can to help identify it.
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The Poison Center staff will assess the product and determine whether or not immediate medical management is indicated. Often, the substance will not pose any threat to the child.
Take or send the poison container with your child to help the physician determine what was swallowed.
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Poison on the skin: |
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If your child spills a chemical on their body, remove any contaminated clothes and rinse the skin well with lukewarm - not hot - water. If the area shows signs of being burned or irritated, continue rinsing for at least 15 minutes, no matter how much your child may protest. Then, call the poison center 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions. Do not use ointments, butter or grease on the area.
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Poison in the eye(s): |
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Flush your child's eye by holding the eyelid open and pouring a small, steady stream of lukewarm water - not hot - into the inner corner near the nose. Allow the water to run across the eye to the outside corner to flush the area well. You may need help from another adult to hold your child while you rinse the eye; or wrap your child tightly in a towel and hold your child under one arm. Continue flushing the eye for 15 minutes, and call the poison center 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions. Do not use an eyecup, eye drops or ointment unless the poison center instructs you to do so.
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Poisonous fumes or gases: |
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In the home, poisonous fumes can be emitted from the following sources:
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- A car running in a closed garage.
- Leaky gas vents.
- Wood, coal, or kerosene stoves that are not working properly.
- Mixing bleach and ammonia together while cleaning, which makes chloramine gas.
- Strong fumes from other cleaners and solvents.
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If your child breathes in fumes or gases, get your child into fresh air right away.
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- If your child is breathing without problem, call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.
- If your child is having difficulty breathing or is unresponsive, call 911 or your local emergency service (EMS).
- If your child has stopped breathing, start CPR and do not stop until your child breathes on their own or someone else can take over. If you can, have someone call 911 right away. If you are alone, perform CPR for one minute and then call 911.
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