A child has been poisoned - What to do?

What can you do until the child receives professional medical assistance?

In case of inhalation of poisons or toxic gases:

• Protect yourself, because poisonous gases can harm you
• Take the child out into the fresh air as soon as possible

In case of ingestion of poison:

• Keep the source of the poison away from the child
• Encourage the child to spit out the poison that he/she has not swallowed, or remove the poison from his/her mouth with your fingers
• Do not induce vomiting

In case a small button battery is swallowed or stuck in the nose, throat, ear:

• Contact the emergency medical service (194) to have the battery removed as soon as possible

In case poison is applied to the skin:

• Remove the child's clothes soaked in poison
• Rinse skin with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes
• Do not apply creams or ointments on injured skin

In case poison is dispersed in the eyes:

• Rinse eyes with lukewarm water for 15 minutes, from the inner to the outer corner of the eyes, keeping the eyelids open
• Do not cover the eyes with gauze, cloth, etc.
• Do not put drops or ointments in the eyes without consulting a doctor first

If the child is unconscious and shows no signs of life, it is necessary to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately and call an ambulance as soon as possible (194). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures should be carried out until the arrival of the emergency medical team.

Save the medicine or chemical that you suspect has caused the poisoning. Knowing the type of poison helps experts in determining the treatment.

Do not try to induce vomiting in a child without consulting a doctor first. Also, do not offer your child anything to eat or drink without consulting a doctor first.