First Aid for Swallowing Washing Detergent

By Bill, posted
It is believed that at least one child a day requires hospital treatment after swallowing a washing capsule.  Capsules are often brightly coloured and sweet-like in appearance, and are at the perfect height for toddlers to grab.
Some basic first aid principles can be applied when a child swallows a capsule, which can prevent the situation from worsening. The first rule is not to panic and to follow the protocol below.

Symptoms

Firstly look around at the environment. Consider if the child still has the capsule in their hand, is there liquid on the floor and are they in a distressed state? 
Inside the washing capsules are a wide range of chemicals that are designed for removing the hardest stains from clothing. These are exactly the type of chemicals that you wouldn't want anywhere near the airway and stomach of a child.
Look out for the following symptoms when assessing the child’s condition:
  • Red marks / burns around the mouth
  • Vomiting
  • Itchy and inflamed eyes
  • Breathing difficulties

Treatment

Once the condition has been diagnosed it is essential to keep calm. First, make sure that the child is in no further contact with the washing capsule. This includes washing their hands, which could still be causing contamination.
Helpful Hint - Do not give the child anything to drink which could induce vomiting and burn their airways further.

The most common outcome is for the child to be safely transported to A&E and they will go on to make a full recovery. However, don’t rush out of the door without taking a sample of what the child has swallowed. The easiest way is to take the packaging that the washing capsule was taken from.
As always it is best to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Call 999/112 if the child displays any of the following symptoms:
  • Diminishing response levels
  • Unconsciousness
  • No breathing
Whenever a child stops breathing it is essential to start CPR until the emergency services arrive.

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