Your child has been assessed for a possible poisoning. It appears that there has been no toxic effect. It's very unlikely that any new symptoms will appear. If needed, your child’s doctor will review any symptoms you should watch for at home. To be safe, watch for new symptoms during the next 24 hours. The exact symptoms will depend on the type of product that was swallowed or inhaled or that came in contact with your child's skin or eyes.
Home care
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If liquid charcoal was given to neutralize the swallowed product, this may cause nausea and possible vomiting over the next few hours. It will also cause a black color to the stools for 1 to 2 days. Your child may be given a laxative with charcoal. This will help toxins move more quickly through the digestive tract. This will cause diarrhea for up to 24 hours. If no laxative was given, your child may be constipated. If your child is constipated, ask your doctor for the best way to treat it.
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these tips to prevent accidental poisoning:
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Safety latches and locks on cabinets are helpful, but they may not always work. It's best to use locks.
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Store hazardous items out of your child's reach.
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Store medicines in a medicine cabinet that is locked and out of reach. Don't keep toothpaste, soap, or shampoo in the same cabinet.
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If you carry a purse, keep potential poisons out of your purse. Keep your child away from other people's purses.
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Buy medicines with child safety caps. Keep medicines in their original containers. Put the cap on completely after each use. Child resistant does not mean childproof. It only means that it takes longer for a child to get into it. Being alert and aware is very important.
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Don't take medicine in front of small children. They may try to imitate you later. Never tell a child that a medicine is candy.
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Properly dispose of unused or unneeded medicines.
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Remove poisonous plants from your house and yard.
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Never put toxic products in containers that were once used for food. This is especially true for empty drink bottles and cups.
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Empty and rinse all glasses right away after gatherings where alcohol is served. Keep alcohol in a locked cabinet out of your child's reach.
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Keep batteries in a locked, secure place. This is especially true for small button batteries.
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Be very alert at a grandparent's home or the home of an older relative who may take many medicines and may not have a childproofed house.
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Make sure the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your house are working.
Keep the Poison Control Center telephone number, 800-222-1222, in an easy-to-find place, or save it in your phone contacts.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child's doctor if all symptoms don't get better within 24 hours.
When to seek medical advice
Your child may have been seen in the emergency department or by your child's doctor. Return to the emergency department or contact your child's doctor right away if your child has:
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Changes in their usual behavior, such as unusual excitement or drowsiness.
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Fast breathing.
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Slow breathing (less than 10 times a minute).
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A frequent cough or trouble breathing.
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Repeated vomiting or diarrhea.
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Dizziness or weakness.
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Blood in the stools or vomit (black or red color).
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Trembling or seizures.
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Belly pain.
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A fever.
