What to do with a child who ate detergent?

Almira Haji Ismail, a pediatric specialist and a member of the faculty of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, spoke about pediatric emergencies, according to the report of the health group, in the cancer program of Sima health network.

The expert considered the program of placing detergents in bright colored containers as a factor to draw children’s attention to these substances and said: 70% of poisonings are related to alkaline substances (openers) and 20% of poisonings are related to acidic substances (white producers), also mentioned that boys are the most poisoned by the consumption of such substances.

He reminded: Alkaline substances are drunk more because they are tasteless and have more side effects, but acidic substances such as bleaches are eaten less because of their smell and taste. is the reason)

He added: Every year, children are more at risk of poisoning due to the availability of these substances.

This university professor advised families: by placing these materials at a higher height, reduce the possibility of children accessing them.

Haji Ismail said that one of the common causes of children’s poisoning these days is putting these substances in colored glasses or soft drink bottles, because the child takes this bottle to the mouth thinking of drinking.

A member of the faculty of Tehran University of Medical Sciences emphasized: After swallowing detergent, never encourage the child to vomit, or do things like sticking your finger down the child’s throat, and do not force him to vomit, because the contents of the stomach will return to the stomach. Esophagus and mouth both cause re-contact of these substances with mucous membranes and re-destruction and wounding, and increase the risk of these substances entering the lungs (aspiration).

This university professor emphasized: The fact that the child’s mouth does not get sore after drinking these substances is not the reason for the absence of sores and damage in the rest of the digestive system, and parents should go to the burn hospital as soon as possible for the necessary examinations and the possibility of additional treatments.

Esmaili continued: Swallowing oil does not cause a lot of digestive complications, after swallowing this liquid, never encourage the child to vomit and, like any other poisoning, take the child to the hospital immediately.

The program expert answered the question, what are the symptoms of swallowing acidic and alkaline substances by a child? He said: Complications of the lip and mouth area occur immediately, as the child usually keeps the mouth open, which is accompanied by drooling. esophagus, in which case there is a need for immediate surgery.

He continued: Esophageal strictures develop in the long term, and the diagnosis method is endoscopy. Endoscopy should be performed between 18 and 36 hours after poisoning. Also, sometimes the complications and problems caused remain until the child becomes an adult.

The program’s expert answered the question, what should families do when dealing with a child who has swallowed such substances? He said: The best thing is to take the child to the hospital immediately and not to induce the child to vomit in any way. The child must be kept fasting and fed only with serum therapy because an endoscopy is necessary to check the extent of the lesions.

This university professor advised the medical center personnel: Never wash the child’s stomach when poisoning children with acidic and alkaline detergents, because this will cause vomiting in the child and subsequent risks.

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