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What is Nontoxic Ingestion
Nontoxic ingestion occurs when you swallow (ingest) a substance that is not likely to cause serious medical problems (is nontoxic).
Nontoxic ingestion involves a substance that is not food (is not edible) and is not poisonous. Some nontoxic substances can cause harm if a large enough amount is ingested.
Commonly ingested nontoxic substances include:
- Chalk.
- Birth control (contraceptive)pills.
- Dog or cat food.
- Non-medicated hair products (in small amounts).
- Ink.
- Insects.
- Lipstick and makeup.
- Pencils.
- Perfume.
- Petroleum jelly.
- Potting soil or dirt.
- Shaving cream.
- Talcum powder.
- Topical ointments.
- Water-based paint.
- Vitamins without iron.
If you are not sure if the substance that you swallowed is nontoxic or toxic, call your poison control center. If you develop symptoms, get help right away.
What are the causes?
Most of the time, nontoxic ingestion is accidental. For example, some hairspray or makeup may accidentally get in your mouth, or you may mistake a birth control pill for another medicine.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Nontoxic ingestion usually does not cause symptoms. It may leave a bad taste in your mouth. Spitting or gagging may also occur. Sometimes it can take a while for the effects of medicines or other substances to develop.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed based on your symptoms and medical history. Your health care provider will ask about the substance that you ingested, the amount that you ingested, and when you ingested it. Your health care provider will also do a physical exam to check for symptoms of poisoning.
How is this treated?
Treatment is not usually needed for this condition. Your health care provider may keep you under observation to make sure symptoms do not develop.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions. If you have vomited after ingesting the substance, you may need to wait a few hours before eating. Start with small sips of clear liquids until your stomach settles.
- Watch for any change in your condition or for new symptoms.
- Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
How is this prevented?
- Make sure all pills and vitamins are clearly labeled.
- Store products and medicines in their original containers.
- Read directions for medicines carefully.
- Store makeup and non-edible products away from food and medicines.
- Read all directions for hair and makeup products carefully.
- Use aerosol products in a well-ventilated area.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have any new or worse symptoms.
- You have a fever.
- You vomit.
- You have a cough.
Get help right away if:
- You have trouble walking, swallowing, or breathing.
- You have any of the following:
- Chest pain.
- Severe fatigue.
- A seizure.
- Excess sweating.
- Pain in your abdomen, repeated vomiting, or severe diarrhea.
- Any bleeding from the mouth or rectum.
- Fast or irregular heartbeats (palpitations).
- You have any signs of dehydration, such as:
- Severe thirst.
- Dry lips and mouth.
- Dizziness.
- Dark urine or no urge to urinate.
- Fast (rapid) breathing or rapid pulse.
- You are confused.
- You are weak or very tired (lethargic).
Summary
- Nontoxic ingestion occurs when you swallow (ingest) a substance that is not likely to cause serious medical problems (is nontoxic).
- Nontoxic ingestion involves a substance that is not food (is not edible) and is not poisonous.
- Commonly ingested nontoxic items include makeup, ink, shaving cream, dog or cat food, and vitamins that do not contain iron.
- Nontoxic ingestion usually does not need treatment, but it may require a period of close observation by a health care provider to watch for symptoms.
- Always contact the poison control center if you have questions about a substance that you swallowed.