Dr. Deb

My purse holds so much that I would surely win on Let’s Make a Deal. One deal I never planned on was poisoning a child or pet with seemingly innocuous items in that purse.

Do you know what poisons are in your purse?

1. Pill Box-

One third of the poisonings reported among children under age six are from prescription drugs commonly used by grandparents like high blood pressure, heart pills and diabetes pills.  Just one of these pills can cause severe problems, even death, in a child. Some think, “My doctor would never prescribe anything that is dangerous.” Any medication in the wrong dose has the potential to be dangerous. Child resistance only means that it took more than 5 minutes for 85% of children to open, it does not mean child proof.

A little flip box with over the counter medications like Tylenol or cold medicines can cause agitation or even fatal liver damage. Birth Control pills for new Moms or babysitters may look like candy and are easy to access but very dangerous. Iron in vitamins or particularly alone, in high dose tablets, can also be deadly.

2. Eye and Nose Drops-

Normal Saline is safe but drops with medication like Visine can be very dangerous to children and adults. Ingestion of the active ingredient, Tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05% can cause serious side effects including:

Lowering body temperature to dangerous levels
Difficulty breathing or dropping blood pressure
Nausea and vomiting
Seizures or Coma

One common urban myth is that it will cause diarrhea (which is does not.) Those who thought were using Visine in a harmless prank have caused serious problems and even death.

3. Cigarettes and lighters

Cigarettes are toxic with second hand smoke but if ingested can cause severe stomach upset or vomiting. Lighters are colorful, like a toy, and many children accidently burn themselves or start fires. Ultimately you are setting the worst example for your child, as cigarettes are the most common cause of preventable death.

4. Alcohol Products:

Hand sanitizer, mouthwash and perfume contain alcohol and children have actually become drunk by drinking large amounts.

5. Manicure Products

Nail polish and nail polish remover can irritate the eyes, skin and mouth and upset the stomach if swallowed.  A metal nail file can easily become a weapon and should be substituted with an emery board.

6. Choking Hazards:

Mints and toothpicks from restaurants often end up in the purse and can cause significant choking hazards. Even batteries may cause choking as well as severe irritation or burns if chewed.
Other hazards include hairspray, toothpaste, baby powder, pens, insect repellents, hand cream and pens that can all cause stomach irritation.  Xylitol in Sugarless gum can cause insulin spikes in a dog with only 6 pieces resulting in liver failure.

What Do You DO if there is an accidental poisoning?

True confession: when my twins were little I had called poison control so many times that I used a fake name. Since that time, I have learned that they don’t keep track. It is open 24 hours, free and confidential.

1. Stay Calm
2. Call 911 if they are unconscious, convulsing or having difficulty breathing
3. Call poison control at 1-800-222-1222

Use a free app on your iphone if you don’t have the number

Do not give anything until you have called Poison Control

Accidental poisonings do happen and I know how embarrassing it is but always call, even if you don’t think that it is a big deal. Small things in your purse right now could cause big problems in the future.

Take care,

Dr. Deb

The rainiest April has forgotten that it is now May, as once again we have a severe weather threat with potential flooding. Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and now Memphis have recently had record-breaking damage as the result of weather. If your state is next, are you prepared?  Here are a few safety tips that everyone should have in place.

Dr Deb’s Safety Tips for Floods

1. Identify Utilities:

Know where gas, water and power lines are now so that you can turn them off quickly if you have to suddenly evacuate.  Now this is something that I never would have thought of and will likely require a call to your utility companies so get those numbers handy. Know where you water safety valve is and have a wrench ready too.

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