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Poisoning or accidental swallowing

Poisoning is the harmful effect that occurs when a toxic substance is swallowed, inhaled (breathed in), or comes into contact with the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes such as those of the mouth or nose.

Accidental swallowing of potentially toxic substances occurs most commonly in young children (toddlers), accounting for about 2 in every 100 emergency presentations to hospital.

Products commonly resulting in exposure or ingestion include medicines and household or garden products such as soaps, detergents, garden chemicals.

When should you worry?

If your child has any of the following:

  • Is unconscious
  • Is confused or agitated 
  • Has a fit or seizure
  • Is pale, mottled or blue
  • Choking or has breathing difficulties
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Eye pain or redness 

You need urgent help

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999

Please ensure you have the substance with you

If your child has any of the following: 

  • Rash or skin irritation 
  • Vomiting
  • Mild abdominal pain
  • Headache

If the substance is: 

  • A medication
  • The bottle or packet suggests seeking medical help or has any warning symbols 
  • A potentially poisonous plant or fungi

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today

Please call your GP surgery or contact NHS 111 - Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.(111 online does not currently take questions about children aged under 5, so if your child is 4 or younger,  please call 111).

If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.

Please ensure you have the substance with you

If none of the above features are present

Your child has no symptoms and has ingested a non-harmful substance.

Self care

Continue providing your child’s care at home. If they go on to develop any symptoms or if you are still concerned about your child, please call 111

What should you do?

Information to help the health professional - substance:

  1. What substance has your child swallowed or come in contact with?  
  2. When was the substance taken? How long ago?
  3. What was the type of exposure? Did they swallow, inhale, lick it etc?
  4. How much of the substance was taken?

Information to help the health professional – your child:

  1. Age and estimated weight of your child
  2. Any existing medical conditions
  3. Any medications or ongoing treatments
  4. Any allergies

What should you do after seeking advice or being discharged from hospital:

  1. Please monitor your child over the next 24-48 hours
  2. Let them eat or drink normally
  3. Please follow the steps above if any concerns about your child
  4. Please read the following ‘prevention is better than cure’ advice

Prevention is better than cure

The best way to prevent accidental swallowing or exposure is to limit access to these substances. Whilst children are curious and clever and seem to get hold of anything and everything, by following the advice below you will have done all you can to reduce this risk, just remember the ‘keep SAFE 6 rule’:

Safe Storage – high out of reach and out of sight, preferably in a locked cupboard. This includes all medications, vitamins and supplements, button batteries, infuser oils, vape liquids, perfumes, household chemicals and washing liquid or tabs. Ask visitors if they have medicine in their bag, coat or purse and keep their belongings in a safe location.

Safe Containers – keep medications locked away and ensure safety caps are on

Safe Labels – keep medicines and household chemicals in their original containers and do not decant them into other containers or mix chemicals together. There is usually advice in or on the original container about what to do if accidentally swallowed

Safe Use – use medications and products as directed, and never pretend they are sweets

Safe Disposal – pharmacy for medicines and other products as directed on packaging

Safe Home - install a carbon monoxide detector in your home, ensuring it’s working properly and replace the batteries when needed

A graphic to show the do's and don't of medicine safety with young children

Where should you seek help?

For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between

Self-care

You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.

Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.

Sound advice

Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.

Sound advice

  • Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP
  • Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately
  • Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

The 0-19 Service for children and young people is delivered by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and offers a single point of access for Health Visiting, School Nursing and the Family Nurse Partnership. You can contact the teams using the details below:

Single Point of Access (SPA): 01865 903 800

Email: cyp0-19@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

Chat Health Parentline

Text us any time for confidential advice and support and you will have a response the next working day (Monday-Friday exluding Bank Holidays).

Parents and carers for children aged 0-4: Text 07312 263 081

Parents and carers of children aged 5-11: Text 07312 263 227

Young people aged 11-19 and their parents and carers: Text 07312 263 08

Health Visitors

Health visitors are registered nurses or midwives who have additional training in community public health nursing. They provide a universal service, targeted to individual needs for children aged 0-5 years. Learn more about the Oxfordshire Health Visiting Service here!

School and college Health Nurses

School Health Nurses are specialist public health nurses and have offices across Oxfordshire. They work very closely with Health Visitors to support school aged children. They are available for young people to access in secondary schools and colleges, and offer a service to children who are home educated. They work closely with children, young people and their families to support and promote health and wellbeing. Learn more about the Oxfordshire School and college Health Nursing Service here!

Family Nurse Partnership

The Family Nurse Partnership service supports parents who are aged 19 years or under at conception, or under 21 years if they have been in care. The Family Nurse works alongside younger parents in their home, offering health, wellbeing and development support and information from the early stages of pregnancy, usually up until your child is two. Learn more about the Family Nurse Partnership service here!

GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.

Sound advice

You have a choice of service:

  • Doctors or GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E
  • Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, you can call 111 or use 111 online.

Please note that 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.

An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.

Sound advice

Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

Emergency Departments (A&E) provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.

Sound advice

  • Many visits to A&E and calls to 999 could be resolved by any other NHS services
  • If your child's condition is not critical, choose another service to get them the best possible treatment
  • Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about going to A&E or riding in an ambulance
Survey for parents and carers - what was the outcome of you looking at this page?