AsiaLIFE

Most cases of accidental poisoning occur in the home and almost 80 percent of these cases are children between the ages of one and four. Those living an expatriate lifestyle, travelling with small children to hotels and new homes are particularly at risk. Often, an awareness of poisoning hazards is nowhere near the top of the list for jetlagged parents.

How do we get poisoned?

It is important to be aware that packaging of toxic substances in foreign countries is different from what you might be used to back home. Childproof containers may not be the norm and adults often leave the medication they are using alone in open suitcases. Children are by nature inquisitive. Unless you are alert to potential hazards poisoning is a very real risk. Certain medication (ie: heart pills) may be fatal to children in very small doses. Mothballs, cosmetic products and even mouthwash may be extremely toxic to a child.

The following are some basic tips to reduce the risk of your child becoming accidentally poisoned:

• Use safety locks on all cabinets containing medication and toxic substances. Remember children climb up onto a toilet to investigate.
• Lock your suitcases to prevent your child gaining access.
• Store detergents and chemicals out of reach and preferably out of sight of young children.
• Keep chemicals in their original containers. Never transfer them to unmarked containers and particularly not to food containers, cans or milk bottles.
• If using a toxic substance, don’t leave your child unattended within reach of opened containers.
• Discard used containers safely.
• Keep your child away while pesticides are being used – certain countries still allow the use of highly toxic sprays outlawed elsewhere.
• Keep indoor plants out of reach of children – particularly in foreign countries where the plant may be strange to you.
• If using a foreign chemical – particularly if the instructions are in a foreign language –
 make sure you obtain an accurate translation and instruction first.
• When moving to a new house, scout around for potential toxic substances before giving your child the run of the roost.

There are several indicators to suggest that your child may have involuntarily taken some poison. These include a difficulty in breathing and speaking; dizziness or unconsciousness; burning in the mouth or salivating (frothing); stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting; and strange or psychotic behaviour.

What To Do If You Suspect Your Child Has Been Poisoned?

If your child is unconscious, check for a heartbeat and breathing. If there is no sign of either begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately. Call for help and activate the appropriate emergency medical response. If CPR is not required, try to establish what your child might have swallowed and contact your emergency medical provider or clinic.

Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so. Never give salt water or attempt to stimulate the back of the throat with your finger. It is extremely dangerous to induce vomiting in cases of poisoning by corrosives (acids and alkalis) and certain hydrocarbons (eg. kerosene). Unless acting on a doctor’s instruction, do not make your child drink large volumes of water or milk. Most poisons are absorbed in the duodenum (the first part of the intestine) and drinking large quantities simply propels the poison into the duodenum more quickly.

If the skin has been contaminated wash copiously with warm, soapy water. If the eyes are contaminated, rinse with water for at least ten minutes. Transport your child to the nearest appropriate medical facility without delay and remember to bring the poison container with you!.

Dr. Alan Howard has been a member of the International SOS team as a senior medical officer and medical evacuation consultant for six years. He has worked in Indonesia, Russia, China, Africa and the Middle East and is a post-graduate lecturer in Advanced Life Support. He is author of the medical text Emergency Management of Acute Poisoning.