Most parents know that infants and young children will eat the strangest things. Serve them a nutritious meal, and they’ll fight you. They’ll be happy to indulge, however, on a chunk of Play Doh® or a small toy that fits in their mouth.
So, it’s best to keep your young children safely away from items that are potential ingestion hazards. But let’s take a look at a few of the more common snack temptations we see, just in case.
Learn what to do if your child #swallows unsafe materials such as #bubblegum, #glue, #PlayDoh,…
Benign items will work their way out
Gum: Gum is one of a number of fairly benign items that your child may accidentally or intentionally ingest.
First, let’s dismiss the old wives’ tale about gum staying in a person’s stomach for seven years without being digested. Although it’s true that gum cannot be digested, it will usually make its way out of the child’s stomach in a couple of days.
The biggest danger is if the wad of gum is large enough to cause choking. Otherwise, if it’s gotten into the stomach you typically don’t need to take the child to a pediatrician or the ER.
Modeling clay: Most of the major brands of modeling clay like Play Doh are nontoxic and say so on the container. If you’re making your own, that’s usually nontoxic, too. It may have some salt in it, but not enough to cause a problem.
Unless a child eats a large amount, Play Doh won’t cause any problems, other than possibly an upset tummy or a little diarrhea. If your child ingests a significant amount or feels sick, then you should make a trip to the doctor or ER.
Small toy pieces: These are a little trickier. If your child swallows a tiny piece with rounded edges, it will pass through his system. A sharp-edged or a larger piece, though, can cause some problems. If the child complains that he is having trouble swallowing or going to the bathroom or his stomach hurts, you should either contact your pediatrician’s office or take him to the ER.
Hazardous items need a doctor’s attention
Lithium and alkaline batteries: One of the biggest ingestion dangers for children is lithium batteries, also known as button batteries because they are small and round, like coins — which children have also been known to swallow. While small coins will pass, the batteries are loaded with dangerous chemicals. Regular, alkaline batteries are also extremely dangerous if swallowed, but that’s more rare because of their larger size.
If the child swallows either, you should immediately take her to the Emergency Room.
Magnets: The same goes for little magnets. They can cause a lot of damage in the child’s GI tract, so get him or her to the ER quickly.
Antifreeze: The real danger with antifreeze is that it looks like Kool-Aid, has a sweet smell and taste, and is often easily accessible if the kids are playing in the garage or basement. This also requires an immediate trip to the ER.
Paint chips: In a house built after 1970, there’s a strong chance it’s not lead-based paint, but you should contact your pediatrician to see if it’s appropriate to test your child for lead levels. If you live in an older home, though — especially if the child shows symptoms such as lethargy, a glassy-eyed, out-of-it look, or if he or she is very pale — call your pediatrician or get him to the ER.
Additionally, if you are uncertain about something your child has swallowed, you can always contact the National Capital Poison Center hotline: 1-800-222-1222.
*Play Doh® is a registered trademark of Hasbro Inc.
