Signs a Poisoning May Have Occurred
Most poisons, with the exception of lead, work fairly quickly. A key symptom is when the child was otherwise well and in a space of hours develops unusual symptoms -- they can’t follow you with their eyes, they’re sleepy before it’s their nap time, their eyes go around in circles.
Any unusual or new symptoms should make you think of poisoning as a possibility. Also, poisonings typically affect the stomach and central nervous system.
Other signs of poison ingestion can be:
- Burns around the lips or mouth
- Stains of the substance around the child’s mouth
- The smell of a child’s breath
- Suspect a possible poisoning if you find an opened or spilled bottle of pills
If you suspect your child may have ingested a poison or been exposed to a poisonous substance, it is important to stay calm, assess the situation and get help immediately.