What is Nontoxic Ingestion in Children

Nontoxic ingestion occurs when your child swallows (ingests) a substance that is not likely to cause serious medical problems (is nontoxic). Nontoxic ingestion involves a substance that is not food and is not poisonous.

Commonly ingested nontoxic substances include:

• Antacids.
• Chalk.
• Candles.
• Birth control (contraceptive) pills.
• Crayons.
• Diaper cream.
• Dog or cat food.
• Ink.
• Lipstick.
• Matches.
• Packets of silica gel.
• Paper.
• Pencils.
• Perfume.
• Petroleum jelly.
• Potting soil.
• Putty.
• Shaving cream.
• Styrofoam.
• Talcum powder.
• Vitamins without iron.

If you are not sure if the substance that your child swallowed is nontoxic or toxic, call your poison control center. If your child develops symptoms, get help right away.

What are the causes?

Most of the time, nontoxic ingestion is accidental. It happens most often among young children. Young children may be curious about how a substance tastes or feels in the mouth.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Nontoxic ingestion usually does not cause symptoms. It may leave a bad taste in your child’s mouth. Spitting or gagging may also occur. A large object may cause choking.

Sometimes it can take a while for the effects of drugs or other substances to develop.

How is this diagnosed?

Your child’s health care provider can diagnose nontoxic ingestion based on your child’s symptoms and medical history. Your child’s provider will ask about the substance that was ingested. Nontoxic substances may be labeled “Keep out of reach of children” or “Do not eat.” Your child’s health care provider will also do a physical exam to check for symptoms of choking or poisoning.

How is this treated?

Nontoxic ingestion usually does not need to be treated. Your child’s health care provider may keep your child under observation to make sure symptoms do not develop.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions. If your child has vomited since ingesting the substance, you may need to wait a few hours before feeding your child. Start with small sips of clear liquids until your child’s stomach settles.
• Watch your child for any change in condition or for new symptoms.
• Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Label all toxic substances in your home if they are not labeled.
• Read labels before providing any substance to your child.
• Keep all toxic substances where children cannot reach them.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child has a fever.
• Your child vomits.
• Your child has a cough.

Get help right away if:

• Your child has trouble walking.
• Your child becomes confused or agitated.
• Your child is overly tired.
• Your child has trouble breathing.
• Your child has trouble swallowing or has a lot of mucus.
• Your child has a seizure.
• Your child starts sweating a lot.
• Your child has abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, or severe diarrhea.
• Your child becomes weak.
• Your child has a fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).
• Your child has signs of dehydration, such as:
  • Severe thirst.
  • Dry lips and mouth.
  • Dizziness.
  • Dark urine or no urge to urinate.
  • Rapid breathing or rapid pulse.

Summary

• Nontoxic ingestion is swallowing (ingesting)a nonfood substance that is not poisonous.
• Nontoxic ingestion does not usually cause symptoms.
• Nontoxic ingestion does not usually require treatment.
• If your child has symptoms or if you are not sure if the substance that your child swallowed is nontoxic or toxic, get help right away.