If the only immediate thought after an incident is to rush to the hospital, it may be too late or the poisoning too severe, potentially threatening the child's life.
Parents must first identify the poisonous substance
Many households store chemical cleaning products like disinfectants, bleach, and detergents. Improperly stored bottles and containers can easily lead to accidental ingestion of various toxic chemicals by young children, posing a life-threatening risk.
In such cases, the immediate priority is to seek medical attention at the nearest hospital. If the hospital is distant, call an ambulance while administering on-site first aid. Parents must first identify the substance ingested. If uncertain, bring the product packaging and any vomit samples to the hospital for examination.
For strong acid or alkali ingestion, administer milk or soy milk.
If the child is unconscious after poisoning, or if petroleum products like gasoline or kerosene were ingested, do not induce vomiting to prevent choking. Similarly, do not induce vomiting for children with severe heart disease or esophageal varices.
Additionally, if a child ingests strong acidic or alkaline chemicals, parents must not administer water or induce vomiting. Instead, immediately give milk, soy milk, or egg whites to reduce the corrosive effect on the gastrointestinal tract.For children poisoned by organophosphate pesticides, their breath may emit a garlic-like odor. Administer soapy water to counteract the toxin while rushing them to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Watch for Tracheal Foreign Bodies in Children with Breathing Difficulty and Bluish Complexion
Beyond toxic ingestion, children choking on tracheal foreign bodies are also common in emergency departments.Doctors report that airway obstructions are more common in children under 10. This is because children have smaller throat cavities, making obstruction removal difficult. Many patients die from asphyxiation before timely intervention.
According to reports, most cases of airway obstruction in children occur at home. When a child suddenly stops moving and exhibits unusual symptoms such as crying, paroxysmal loud coughing, wheezing, cyanosis, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness, parents should be alert to the possibility of an airway obstruction.Because tracheal obstruction occurs suddenly and can become life-threatening within minutes—sometimes before reaching a hospital—parents benefiting greatly from knowing proper home first-aid techniques.