Swallowed substances
9-minute read
If your child has swallowed a substance, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. If someone has stopped breathing or collapsed, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Key facts
- Common items can be swallowed by accident, including household products.
- If you think that someone has swallowed a poisonous substance, get medical help immediately.
- Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for first aid advice.
- Store all medicines, chemicals and cleaning products in a high, locked cupboard out of sight and out of reach of children.
What substances often get swallowed?
Common household and garden products may be swallowed by accident. If they cause harm, this is called poisoning by ingestion.
Drugs and alcohol
Some common substances that can cause poisoning when swallowed by adults or children are:
- alcohol
- illegal drugs
- medicines
Household products
Poisoning in children is most often caused by common household products, such as:
- cleaning products
- bleach
- pesticides and herbicides
- soap and hand sanitiser
- make-up and cosmetics
Poisonous plants and mushrooms
It can be hard to know which plants are poisonous, as the signs are often not clear.
Some plants may be harmful if they have:
- a strong or unusual smell
- milky sap
- red seeds
- red berries
Foraging for food is becoming increasingly popular in Australia. Foraging for your own food increases your risk of accidental poisoning.
Some wild mushrooms, including the death cap, are extremely poisonous. You should not eat foraged mushrooms unless you know that they are safe.
Young children are more likely to eat poisonous plants, so keep plants out of their reach and supervise them closely.
Read more about food poisoning.
Non-food substances
Some people regularly eat non-food substances such as:
- chalk
- soap
- paper
- soil
When this continues for more than one month, it's called 'pica'.
What are the symptoms when a substance is swallowed?
The signs of poisoning from a swallowed substance depend on the substance involved.
Common symptoms include:
- nausea or vomiting
- abdominal (tummy) pain
- headaches
- drowsiness
- diarrhoea
- ringing in the ears
- blurred vision
- More serious symptoms include:
- seizures
- breathing problems
- a smell of the substance on the breath
- colour change to lips, face, earlobes or fingernails
- burns around and inside the mouth or tongue
- burning pain from the mouth to the stomach
These symptoms may happen straight away. For some substances, symptoms may be delayed for several days.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
Why might someone swallow a substance?
Accidental poisoning — children
Young children are naturally curious and explore their environment by putting things in their mouths. Poisoning is most common in children under 5 years of age.
Sometimes substances are swallowed accidentally, especially if they are stored in food or drink containers, such as soft drink bottles.
Accidental poisoning — adults
Adults may accidentally:
- take the wrong medicine — this may also be medicine that's been prescribed for someone else
- take too much medicine by mistake
- drink too much alcohol
- mix alcohol with medicines
Self-harm
Some people swallow substances deliberately to harm or injure themselves.
If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). For help and support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
How is poisoning by a swallowed substance diagnosed?
A doctor or paramedic will ask about the substance you have swallowed and examine you. They will want to know:
- what substance you have swallowed
- when you swallowed the substance (how long ago)
- why you swallowed the substance (if it was an accident)
- how much you swallowed
When you seek medical help after swallowing a substance, take the product container with you, or a photo of it.
Your doctor may recommend tests such as:
When should I seek emergency care?
If the person is vomiting, drowsy, unconscious, or having seizures, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
If you think someone may have swallowed a poisonous substance, get medical help immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to occur.
You can call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 — they will be able to give you first aid advice.
Do not call the Poisons Information Centre in a medical emergency — call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
What should I do while waiting for an ambulance?
If you think someone has swallowed poison, ask them to sit still. Stay with them while you wait for the ambulance to arrive.
Try to get them to spit out anything that is still in their mouth. Do not try to make them vomit.
Take a photo of the product with your phone or write down the product details. It's helpful to know what substance was taken.
If the person has collapsed or is not breathing, start resuscitation (CPR).
How is someone who has swallowed a substance treated?
Treatment will depend on the substance swallowed. Possible treatments can include:
- activated charcoal — this can stop the poison being absorbed into your body
- antidotes — medicines that block or reverse the effect of the poison
- sedative medicines — to calm you if you are very upset or agitated
- anti-seizure medicines — to manage symptoms of seizures
- other treatments, such as monitoring and supportive care
Mental health treatment and support is also available. Your doctor may refer you for support from a mental health professional.
How do I prevent a substance from being swallowed?
Store all medicines, chemicals and cleaning products in a high, locked cupboard out of sight and out of reach of children.
Keep all medicines, chemicals and cleaning products in their original containers. Make sure that they are clearly labelled, and that their lids are secure. Put them away immediately after use.
You can take steps to reduce the risk of accidental poisoning by medicines:
- Always carefully read the consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet that comes with your medicines.
- If you're unsure about any of the instructions or have further questions, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.
- Never take a medicine that is prescribed for someone else.
- Keep all medicines out of reach of children.
It's important to learn to recognise and avoid poisonous plants.
What are the complications from swallowing a substance?
Complications can vary depending on the substance swallowed.
Some substances can be harmful even in small amounts. They may cause complications such as:
- agitation
- nausea and vomiting
- high or low heart rate
- delirium — a sudden change in your thinking and behaviour
- seizures
- organ failure — affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys or liver
- coma
Complications from swallowing some substances can be life-threatening.
Resources and support
- Kidsafe Australia has information about child safety.
- For more information and support about poisons, you can visit the NSW Poisons Information Centre. They give telephone advice Australia-wide on 13 11 26. It's a good idea to save their number in your contacts list.
- Medsinfo has consumer medicine information (CMI) for medicines approved for use in Australia.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Languages other than English
The Royal Children's Hospital has poison prevention tips in many community languages.