Food poisoning in children. Poisoning in children: symptoms, treatment. What to give your child if he has food poisoning? Main signs of food poisoning in children

When a child is poisoned, various symptoms arise due to increased immune reactivity and instability of internal systems. Signs of the disease appear acutely, which allows for early treatment.

At home, when deciding what to give a child in case of poisoning, parents use folk remedies. Such a mistake leads to serious consequences. Many studies have confirmed the effectiveness of conservative treatment of intoxication syndrome. Monotherapy of intoxication syndrome with medicinal decoctions leads to complications.

Main signs of poisoning in children

Symptoms are determined by the amount of toxin and the state of the body's defense systems.

In mild cases, signs of poisoning include lethargy, apathy, and refusal to eat. With a moderate degree, an acute picture of intoxication is formed:

Chills;
Vomit;
Loose stools;
Temperature increase;
Remains of undigested food in the stool with mucus and blood.

Manifestations appear gradually. Difficulties in differential diagnosis with multiple diseases in mild cases do not allow timely seeking medical help.

In case of weakness, apathy, or intestinal disorders, we recommend assessing the condition of the stool. When pathological changes are detected, qualified diagnostics is required. If the urine has physiological consistency, the absence of foreign impurities, and the physiological color of the urine, the diagnosis of food or chemical poisoning is questionable.

The danger of dehydration in a child is provoked by severe diarrhea and frequent vomiting. The condition leads to dangerous consequences.

Poisoning in a child: vomiting without diarrhea

Intestinal intoxications are divided into the following categories:

Household;
Skin;
Inhalation;
Percutaneous;
Cavitary (introduction of toxins into the ear canal, vagina, rectum).

Household poisoning (food, water) is characterized by disruption of the gastrointestinal tract followed by gastroenteritis. Inflammation of the wall of the stomach and intestines leads to disruption of the digestion of food complexes. The formation of toxins due to the presence of toxic substances and spoiled food leads to increased intestinal irritation, which causes abdominal pain. In such a situation, parents try to give the child an anesthetic drug. Its effectiveness is short-lived. After the cessation of the therapeutic effect of the drug, the pain syndrome intensifies.

Attention! Analgin should not be given to children. The drug is prohibited for use in European countries due to the increased likelihood of causing irreversible changes in the brain and blood circulation.

Vomiting without diarrhea is a sign of damage to the wall of the upper gastrointestinal tract. After poisoning with a small amount of aggressive chemical compounds or drinking industrial alcohol, the epithelium of the esophagus and stomach dies. Reflex stimulation of receptors leads to a gag reflex.

Poisoning in a child is divided into 2 categories according to severity:

Acute;
Chronic.

The acute form is characterized by a rapid onset and the appearance of specific symptoms.

Chronic intoxication gradually progresses. Symptoms intensify as the concentration of the toxin increases. This type includes alcohol and drug poisoning.

Scientists have been able to isolate more than 500 poisons that have tropism for human tissue. Literary sources describe attempts to systematize toxins according to their effects on specific organs. This gradation is not widely used.

What to do

For any type of poisoning, a treatment algorithm is selected, consisting of the following procedures:

Prevention of subsequent absorption of poison;
Increased release of toxin from the body;
Purgation;
Antidote therapy;
Symptomatic treatment (restoration of liver and kidney function).

The high prevalence of household intoxications is aggravated by the severity of disease progression. Mild poisoning in a child can be treated at home under the supervision of a pediatrician. Treatment of moderate and severe intoxication syndrome is carried out on an inpatient basis.

Children often suffer from gastrointestinal disorders. The task of parents is to promptly recognize food poisoning in a child, its symptoms and treatment. To do this, you need to know what can poison your baby, what signs appear first, and what needs to be done before the doctor arrives.

The most common cause of poisoning in a child is expired food. If food begins to spoil, it produces toxins that are hazardous to health. At the same time, as a rule, the expiration dates of the products have not yet expired, because no mother will knowingly buy an expired product. It's all about improper storage, without observing the required temperature conditions. Therefore, most food poisoning occurs in the summer.

Sometimes a child may eat a product that is poisonous. These can be mushrooms, plants, berries or household chemicals. In addition, food poisoning in children can be a consequence of incorrect dosage of medications.

Food poisoning can occur as a result of improper preparation of certain products. As a rule, this is food of animal origin in which it has fallen.

Eating raw fruits and vegetables can cause food poisoning if proper precautions are not taken. In this case, the nitrates on which these products were grown are to blame.

Many people say that you can be poisoned by unwashed fruits or vegetables, since various bacteria live on their surface. This is not entirely true. Of course, in order to avoid health problems, it is necessary to wash all fruits, but such a violation is an intestinal infection, not poisoning.

List of “dangerous” products:

seafood and fish;
dairy products;
raw eggs;
meat dishes that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment;
salad greens and root vegetables;
cream in confectionery products.

How is poisoning different from an intestinal infection?

It is important to be able to distinguish between these 2 ailments. After all, if a baby is poisoned by food, he can be treated at home under the supervision of a pediatrician; hospitalization is required only in the most severe cases. But if a child has an intestinal infection, treatment is possible only in a hospital. What is the difference?

So, if a child is poisoned, the first signs appear within 48 hours, no more. In the case of an intestinal infection, from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first symptoms, it can take from 1 to 30 days, or even more.

Symptoms of food poisoning in children appear suddenly and disappear very quickly. The onset of infection rarely lasts less than 7 days.

The main symptom of an intestinal infection is a high body temperature that lasts for several days. If the temperature passed quickly and did not exceed 38°C, then this is food poisoning.

Symptoms of the disorder

How quickly signs of food poisoning appear in children depends on the type and amount of toxin and the child's metabolic rate. By the way, by the speed at which symptoms appear, you can determine which organ responded to the toxin.

If it is the stomach, it will appear 30 minutes after poisoning. The intestines react within 4-6 hours. It takes a little longer for the toxin to reach the liver and pancreas (up to 48 hours).

Nausea is a natural reaction of the body; after exposure to a toxin, the child soon begins to vomit. Thus, the body tries to cleanse itself.

Various pain sensations arise from the intestines. Most often these are cramps or cramps in the lower abdomen, rumbling and bloating are observed.

Diarrhea is another way to cleanse the body of toxins. It appears in case of intestinal irritation. may be single or multiple. However, according to pediatricians, most often in cases of poisoning, children experience vomiting without diarrhea.

The child’s general well-being is disrupted, he becomes lethargic and sleepy, refuses food and complains of a headache. In case of dehydration, symptoms such as:

pale and dry skin;
convulsions;
a sharp decrease in blood pressure;
acidosis.

This condition is very dangerous and can be fatal, so you need to urgently call an ambulance and go to the hospital, where the child will be given a drip,

Of course, serious dehydration occurs when you lose fluid 10-12 times a day. But after the third attack of vomiting or diarrhea, the child needs help in restoring the water and electrolyte balance. In this case, special solutions will help.

General intoxication leads to an increase in body temperature. As a rule, it does not exceed 38°C. But in children under 5 years of age, body temperature can reach 39.5°C.

First aid for poisoning

What to do if your child shows symptoms of food poisoning? First of all, call a pediatrician. If the doctor is not able to examine the child in the next few hours (late evening or weekend), you need to call an ambulance. In case of mild poisoning, they will not be hospitalized, but they will be able to prescribe adequate treatment.

Before the doctor arrives, the child needs to be given a sorbent. In case of vomiting, to avoid a bad reaction, the drug is diluted in water and given to the child in small portions every 5-10 minutes.

You can do gastric lavage, but only if the child is over 6 years old. You need to take warm water 10 ml/kg body weight and dissolve 2-3 crystals of potassium permanganate in it. After the solution has cooled, the child needs to drink it completely, followed by vomiting and cleansing of the stomach. This method is effective if symptoms appear 30-60 minutes after consuming the toxin and it is still in the stomach.

You can cleanse the intestines with an enema. It is necessary to take an age-specific dose of sorbent (activated carbon, Smecta), dissolve it in water and give a cool enema. Its volume depends on the age of the patient:

1-2 years - 70 ml;
2-3 years - 140 ml;
3-4 years - 200 ml;
over 4 years 250-300 ml.

In case of poisoning, the child must fast for the first 24 hours. This is very difficult for mom, but you need to remember that if you put stress on your stomach, all the acute symptoms will return. In addition, it is advisable that the baby observe bed rest.

Treatment of food poisoning

How to treat poisoning? After all, all of the above will only help alleviate the child’s condition, but will not eliminate the main cause.

Treatment requires drug therapy, which can only be prescribed by a doctor. As a rule, it consists of taking medications such as:

sorbents;
probiotics;
products containing enzymes;
antibiotics;
electrolyte solutions.

As mentioned above, sorbents are the first medicine that should be given to a patient with food poisoning. The drug can be absolutely anything, the main thing is to determine the required age dose. Sorbents bind toxins and remove them from the body without harm to health, so the sooner the child starts drinking them, the fewer toxins will enter the bloodstream.

Special solutions will help restore the fluid level; they can be purchased at any pharmacy. The most popular solution is Regidron; it must be diluted in boiled water and given to the child several times a day, as well as after each attack of vomiting or diarrhea. If you give the entire portion at once, the taken solution may provoke another attack of vomiting.

If it is not possible to purchase a solution, children often get poisoned on vacation, you can prepare its analogue. The product is slightly less effective, but its components are always at hand. Required:

1 liter of cold boiled water;
1 tsp. salt;
1 tsp. soda;
2 tbsp. l. Sahara.

This solution can also be given in case of fever due to infectious diseases.

After the symptoms go away, it is necessary to restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. This will require probiotics (Linex, Yogurt) and preparations containing enzymes, for example Creon (to improve digestion). They will restore the intestinal microflora, reduce pain symptoms, and speed up recovery. They are used both for the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal disorders.

Only a doctor can decide whether a child needs antibiotics. prescribed in case of intestinal infection.

If a child is poisoned, it is advisable to stop vomiting if it recurs. This will prevent dehydration. As a rule, pediatricians recommend the drug Domrid. But you can take it only after consulting a doctor.

Antidiarrheal medications will help relieve severe diarrhea. 1 tablet of Loperamide will significantly improve the child’s condition. Also suitable are drugs such as Enterofuril or Nifuroxazide. But we must remember that uncontrolled use of antidiarrheal medications will do more harm than good.

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You can speed up your recovery if you supplement treatment at home with traditional medicine recipes, but only with the permission of your doctor. The most common of them is a decoction of rice or oatmeal.

Rice water combats both diarrhea and vomiting. You will need 1 part rice and 5 parts hot water. The cereal needs to be poured and put on fire, after boiling the product is boiled for 2-5 minutes, filtered and taken several times a day.

To prepare a decoction of oatmeal, you need 2 tbsp. l. Pour hot water over the flakes and cook for at least 5 minutes. Take the medicine in the same way as rice water.

A medicinal decoction of chamomile and marigold, 1 tsp, will also help. mixture of herbs per 1 liter of water.

For poisoning with meat or fish, an effective remedy is cinnamon tea; add 2-3 sticks of bark to water and bring to a boil. After 5 minutes, remove the product from the heat and filter. Take 1 glass twice a day.

Alteyka helps not only with coughs. In case of food poisoning, 2 tsp is needed. pour 1 cup of boiling water over the root and leave for 30 minutes. Take the product 1 tsp. 4 times a day, you can add a little honey.

Diet for food poisoning

As a result of the ingress of toxins, the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines becomes inflamed, and the pancreas and liver are subjected to severe stress. Therefore, nutrition should be as gentle as possible.

On the first day after poisoning, you must completely abstain from food. The child can only drink. The exception is children under one year old; they need food within 3-4 hours after the acute symptoms disappear. But you can only give breast milk (if the mother did not consume a toxic product) or an adapted milk formula.

Important! A day after the condition has returned to normal, the child should eat. When fasting for more than 2 days, the only possible option is hospitalization and artificial feeding through a tube.

Diet rules after food poisoning:

all food must be ground;
you need to eat in small portions;
eating 5-6 times a day;
food should be boiled, stewed or steamed.

In cases of mild poisoning, the baby may feel great already on day 2, but it is necessary to adhere to it for at least 5-7 days.

What to give a child if poisoned? For children over one year old, porridge cooked in water is suitable; it is better to give preference to rice, oatmeal or buckwheat. You can offer mashed potatoes without butter and milk, as well as puree soup with water. Broths should be excluded for the entire duration of the diet.

On the third day, you can offer your child some cottage cheese or low-fat kefir, baked apples, and sweet crackers. The main thing is not to overdo it.

Meat dishes are allowed for the baby no earlier than the 4th day. Rabbit, turkey and lean fish are suitable.

After poisoning, it is prohibited to eat foods such as:

smoked, pickled and spicy;
juices, raw vegetables and fruits;
fatty or fried;
canned food;
sweets;
fresh bakery.

During the recovery period of the gastrointestinal tract, food should be mainly vegetarian, since animal products are much more difficult to digest.

Poisoning a child is a situation that requires immediate response. Parents often doubt what anti-poisoning medicine can be used for children so as not to harm the young body. It is important to understand the specifics of treating intoxication in children.

Treatment of poisoning in children at home is possible only in the absence of serious disorders and danger to life. Parents cannot independently assess the baby’s condition; seeing a doctor is mandatory.

The task of adults when a child is poisoned is to provide proper first aid:

call a doctor or visit a medical facility;
interrupt contact of a small family member with a toxic substance;
ensure rest and bed rest;
organize a flow of fresh air;
perform gastric lavage (in certain cases);
use approved medications to provide first emergency aid.

Not all “adult” anti-poisoning medications are suitable for children; before using medications, you should consult a specialist or carefully study the instructions for use.

Review of approved medications for childhood intoxication

From the variety of means for removing toxins from the body available in the pharmacy, it is important to choose effective and suitable for the child’s body.

Enterofuril

A drug based on nifuroxazide. Available in two types - capsules and suspension. A strong antidiarrheal agent. Research shows that Enterofuril does not affect beneficial bacteria. Babies from 1 to 7 months are prescribed 1/2 measuring spoon of the drug 3 times a day. Up to 2 years – 1/2 measuring spoon 4 times a day. Patients aged two years and older can take 1 scoop three times a day, after 7 years - 1 scoop in each of four doses.

Polysorb

Refers to a new generation of enterosorbents. The drug can be given to children from birth. Conducts detoxification and fights pathogenic microorganisms. Polysorb begins to act 2-4 minutes after use. If a child is poisoned, polysorb is dissolved in ¼ or ½ glass of water before use. The required amount of the drug is calculated based on the patient's weight.

Regidron

A product containing sodium chloride, sodium citrate, glucose. Helps restore the body's natural acid-base balance, disturbed by vomiting or diarrhea. Glucose absorbs salts and citrates. Regidron replenishes potassium deficiency in case of child poisoning and, due to low osmolarity, prevents the development of hypernatremia. The contents of 1 package are dissolved in 1 liter of warm boiled water. After cooling, Regidron is drunk in small sips over several approaches.

Bifidumbacterin

Powder for the preparation of a solution for oral use, containing at least 10 7 bifidobacteria. Bifidumbacterin is intended to restore normal intestinal microflora after poisoning as a result of exposure to pathogenic bacteria and antibiotics. Bifidum is prepared for administration in a ratio of 1 tsp. water (warm boiled) for 1 dose of medicine. For disorders, children under 6 months are prescribed 5 doses twice a day.

Hilak forte

A solution containing metabolic products of Escherichia and lactobacilli. 1 milliliter of Hilak forte is 25-30 drops. When stored in Hilak Fort solution, brown particles may form, which is normal. The antimicrobial drug is aimed at treating diarrhea and restoring the electrolyte balance of the body, helping to normalize the intestinal microflora. The drug should not be taken without first diluting it with liquid. Daily dosage: 25-40 drops in one dose, 3 doses in total.

Enterosgel

Enterosgel absorbent is available as a paste for oral administration. The active substance is methyl silicic acid hydrogel. Enterosgel effectively absorbs toxic substances and quickly removes them from the body. Children from birth to 5 years of age are prescribed a single dose of Enterosgel - 5 g of the drug - three times a day. A twofold increase - up to 10 g at a time - is acceptable for patients aged 5 to 14 years.

Lactofiltrum

Vegetable absorbent for children, saturated with hydrolytic lignin and lactulose. Effective for intoxication of varying degrees. Lactofiltrum removes poisons, adsorbs waste products of pathogenic microorganisms, heavy metals, endo- and exotoxins. Has immune stimulating properties. The medicinal form of release is tablets. Babies from 1 to 3 years old are given half a tablet of Filtrum three times a day. Older children (from 3 to 7 years old) are prescribed 1 tablet 3 times a day, and teenagers from 7 to 12 years old - three doses of 1-2 tablets.

Features of the treatment of poisoning in children of different ages

The procedures and medications that make up the treatment of poisoning in children depend on the degree of development of the body and the recommended restrictions on the use of drugs.

Children 1-2 years old

They can get poisoned quite often, since the body, which is not fully formed, is not able to resist toxins with the intensity of adult systems and organs.

It is permissible to use:

Mezim Forte. Effective for food poisoning and indigestion. Prescribe half a tablet 2-3 per day.
Smecta. An effective antidiarrheal agent. Available as powder for dilution. Children are allowed to give 2-3 sachets per day, diluting the powder in liquid.
Nifuroxazide (syrup). The drug is used in the treatment of infectious poisoning. Quickly copes with symptoms of intoxication, including diarrhea.
Motilium (children's suspension). Use as soon as the baby begins to feel sick. Used to stop vomiting, eliminate heaviness in the stomach and intestines, and bloating. Dosage – 5 ml of the drug three times a day.
Enterol. Powder for preparing solutions. It has antidiarrheal properties, restores intestinal microflora, and increases the body's immune defense. Drink 1 sachet 2-3 times a day, depending on the severity of symptoms.

Children 3-5 years old

Several “more adult” medications are added to the medications approved for children.

The use of Papaverine is allowed - at the rate of 0.7-1 mg per 1 kg of weight. An effective antispasmodic effect is important for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Eliminates abdominal pain and improves general condition in case of poisoning, used for detox.

White coal is a silicon-containing adsorbent. Helps bind and remove toxic components from the baby's body. Serves as first aid for poisoning. Children over 3 years old can be given 2 tablets three times a day.

Children 6-10 years old

The arsenal for treating this age category is quite extensive, its contents are similar to those of an adult first aid kit. All previously listed medications are relevant for child poisoning.

Furazolidone. Detoxifying antibacterial agent. Available in the form of green-yellow tablets. An immunostimulating agent, it is prescribed for dysentery, paratyphoid fever, toxic food infections, enterocolitis. This pharmacological form is indicated for children over 8 years of age.

Pancreatin. Tablets in pink blister packs. Refers to drugs that improve digestion. Relevant for minor poisoning, saturates the intestines with necessary enzymes, eliminates symptoms of disorders - bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, a feeling of heaviness. Use 1-2 tablets during meals or after stopping feeding the baby.

Activated carbon. A drug that is used as a first aid remedy for poisoning. Carbon-based sorbents are used for children with poisoning as a means of gastric lavage. Binds and removes toxins from the body. The sorbent is relevant for various types of intoxication. The drug is not recommended for use by children under 6 years of age; it has a strong cleansing effect.

Seeing a doctor is a mandatory step in case of poisoning in children, regardless of the severity of the condition. There are situations in which independent intervention is unacceptable, and the baby needs emergency medical care:

if a baby is poisoned;
there is severe vomiting or diarrhea;
blood is visible in the stool or vomit;
the baby has a fever;
other severe symptoms are present (dermatitis, disorientation);
the baby is unconscious;
there are suspicions of poisoning with acid, alkali, medications, toxic vapors or gases;
the patient's condition is rapidly deteriorating.

In certain cases, treatment with home methods is pointless and can aggravate the patient’s condition and lead to irreversible consequences. Parents should understand that the use of folk remedies is unacceptable, and attempts to treat their child on their own are dangerous for his life.

With the exception of first aid, other therapeutic measures are permissible only after a diagnostic study has been carried out to identify the causes of intoxication. Medications or any other means of therapy can be given only with the approval of a doctor.

Contraindications to the use of drugs

Information about contraindications to the use of individual medications is contained in the instruction leaflet. The main part of the prohibitions on taking detoxifying drugs are individual intolerance to components, allergies, age restrictions, and acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Before using any medications, you should consult your pediatrician.

Poisoning of children is a situation in which urgent intervention is necessary. The sooner you contact a doctor, the faster the actual treatment will begin, and therefore the rehabilitation process.

Food poisoning– this is a whole set of symptoms that occur after consuming a low-quality or poisonous product by children and adults.

The medical term is “toxic infection”. This word contains the essence of poisoning: the presence of toxins, the presence of bacteria. There are mixed options.

Food that can become dangerous to eat is in every mother's refrigerator every day. If food is stored incorrectly, it will spoil, but even a small amount of bacteria will be enough for a child’s delicate body.

Toxins are formed in products that have expired. Moreover, cottage cheese may no longer be suitable for a child, whose term ends tomorrow. Rotting and decomposition can actually begin in packages that are not tightly sealed in the refrigerator.

Pathogenic bacteria live on poorly washed fruits, for example. It is advisable to wash eggs for children's breakfast before use. They may contain salmonella, which will get into the scrambled eggs when the egg is broken.

In freshly prepared food, danger lurks in the form of staphylococcus when the cooking technology is violated or the processing temperature is not observed.

Bacteria that are dangerous to health and can be transmitted to a child through food cause:

botulism;
Escherichiosis;
dysentery;
salmonellosis.

The infection immediately affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms. They appear within a few hours. Not all diseases in this category are linked by doctors to food poisoning.

Sometimes this is diagnosed as an acute intestinal infection. It all depends on laboratory research, which type of bacteria will be called the causative agent. In the absence of an obvious culprit, a general diagnosis is made - toxic infection.

Vomiting in a child, like poisoning itself, can be caused by a number of reasons. In addition to poor-quality food, a child can be poisoned by chemicals and natural poisons, for example, by chewing a plant or a poorly made drawing pencil.

When choosing toys and creative items, you need to monitor the quality of the products. Since children put everything in their mouths, there is a high risk of poisoning from the chemical.

Food poisoning in children

Poisoning in a child is worse than in an adult. This is due to the fragile digestive system. The younger the child, the stronger the consequences can be; vomiting and nausea are always accompanied by fever and weakness.

What was harmless for a teenager may become sufficient for full-blown symptoms of toxic infection for a child.

Reasons for poor tolerance of poisoning in children:

gastric juice has low acidity;
the liver does not work well as well as in adults;
toxins reach the intestines faster;
the kidneys do not filter well enough;
dysbacteriosis in infants.

The high speed of blood supply contributes to the rapid penetration of various pathogenic environments through the mucous membranes. At the same time, the immune system does not yet allow one to quickly combat poisons.

There is a specific medicine for each group of bacteria; broad-spectrum antibiotics will not always help. If a toxic infection is suspected, babies under one year must be shown to a pediatrician or taken by ambulance to the hospital. This will protect against complications.

Self-therapy is allowed for minor symptoms: diarrhea, fever up to 38, weakness, intestinal upset, heartburn.

Symptoms of poisoning in children

Poisoning, regardless of the cause that provoked it, proceeds through a phase characterized by the absence of symptoms and active.

For the asymptomatic period, the time is indicated from the onset of infection to its manifestation in the form of any of the listed symptoms. It can last from half an hour to 24 hours. The amount of food, toxins in it, and the general condition of the child are affected.

Main symptoms: weakness, bad mood, stomach turmoil, increased sweating, lethargy, vomiting more than 3 times a day.

During the active phase, toxic infection affects the stomach and intestines, and its mucous membranes. Gastroenteritis begins. General intoxication provokes sweating and dehydration. The deterioration in health is increasing.

The child does not want to eat, he feels nauseous, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe poisoning, vomiting is accompanied by high fever.

In children under 6 years of age, a critical temperature is recorded, up to 39.6 degrees. The child feels discomfort in the abdomen, pain is either stabbing or pulling, wave-like. They arise due to spasm of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. The body, trying to cleanse itself of toxins that have entered inside, causes vomiting and diarrhea.

You should be concerned if you vomited more than three times per day. It is necessary to give your child a lot of water, as the body becomes dehydrated. Even if he refuses it, you need to force him to drink at least a glass of clean water at room temperature.

Symptoms of mild intoxication are established if vomiting and diarrhea without fever.

In case of severe poisoning, vomiting can occur up to 10 times per day. When dehydrated, a pale appearance, dry skin, hypotension, and limb cramps are noted. This is one of the dangerous manifestations of dehydration during intoxication and vomiting.

How to provide first aid for poisoning

What to do if you suspect intoxication?

Vomiting and other signs of poisoning in children become less frequent within 24 hours. Within three days, the baby may experience weakness and complain of poor health. He has a headache, does not eat anything, and intestinal upset may accompany him for 2-3 days.

If poisoning involves the ingestion of a toxic substance, chemical or plant, the symptoms will correspond to the specific type of toxin. Fever, diarrhea and vomiting may be accompanied by other negative consequences: redness of the skin, blisters, acne, increased salivation.

Dangerous for children are lily of the valley, nightshade, and belladonna - all of this grows in dachas and easily gets into the baby’s mouth while playing. If a child starts vomiting after playing on the playground, you need to go and check what could have poisoned him there.

If you suspect a toxic infection, especially in the presence of convulsions, fainting, heart rhythm disturbances, loss of vision or sense of smell, speech, you should immediately contact an ambulance. A bad symptom is shortness of breath and loss of coordination.

If these consequences occur, you need to urgently take the patient to the doctor. In severe cases, the child is placed in a hospital and treated under the supervision of specialists.

What can you do at the first signs of poisoning in a child?

First of all, you need to carefully examine him, collect all the data, find out what he ate in the last few hours. In the first hours the picture occurs without diarrhea. Then you need to give him plain, clean, cool water to drink.

Drinking should be given in small portions with high frequency. There is no need to pour liters of liquid into the child, this will not help the matter. He will vomit and the water will come out at the same time.

What should I give my child?

If you have Regidron solution on hand, make the medicine and give it a tablespoon every 10-15 minutes. If vomiting occurs after consuming the solution, repeat the dose immediately. The same applies to loose stools; in terms of the degree of dehydration of the body, it is equivalent to vomiting.

But even without Regidron, ordinary clean water will do. You cannot use running tap water; only give it purified or boiled water.

Once the danger of dehydration has been eliminated, you can move on to sorbents. For classic toxic infections during food poisoning, the following are well suited:

Activated carbon;
"Smecta";
"Enterosgel".

The main task of this group of drugs is to help the body bind and remove toxic substances. This helps cope with nausea. If a child has food poisoning, any of the following will be an effective help.

Medicines for poisoning

It is advisable to take simple activated carbon immediately after symptoms appear, or immediately after you discover that a bad substance has entered the baby’s mouth. If toxins do not have time to enter the bloodstream, the consequences will be easier.

If signs of poisoning and vomiting persist for up to three days, you should contact your pediatrician. Treatment is based on intestinal antibiotics and anti-diarrhea medications.

You should not prescribe drugs from this group on your own, as they have a strong effect on the body and should be selected in accordance with the cause of intoxication and the individual characteristics of the child.

Most often, antibiotics are prescribed for the diagnosis of salmonellosis and dysentery.

For botulism, treatment also includes a group of targeted antibiotics. A child aged 3 years or earlier needs to call an ambulance if the temperature rises to 38 or higher.

It is dangerous to take risks by prescribing medications to your child based on your own opinion. This is an unnecessary risk. At best, the medicine will not work, and at worst, it will only enhance the negative picture of the course of poisoning. Among the medications that can be given independently to reduce diarrhea if a child is poisoned are “Enterofuril”, “Loperamide”.

After the main symptoms, vomiting, fever, weakness and diarrhea, have subsided, you can start giving probiotics. They play an important role in restoring the intestinal flora after a shock in the form of poisoning.

With probiotics, the child will return to normal faster, the body’s natural protective functions will be activated and will help to recover faster. Probiotics are prescribed by doctors as an aid during recovery. They can be extended if necessary for a preventive period.

In case of poisoning, you need to create a correct diet. You can’t give flour, sweet and spicy foods. Sweet fruit juices and dairy products are prohibited in case of poisoning.

Conclusion

Simple hygiene rules will reduce the risk of poisoning in a child. When preparing food, you need to wash your hands with soap after handling meat, fruits, vegetables, and eggs.

For bread, it is advisable to use only a bread knife, and cut meat only with a specially designed tool. Canned food with a swollen lid, rotten fruit and other foodstuffs are strictly prohibited to be given to children. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Young children should have limited access to the kitchen while cooking is in progress. They will quietly pull an egg shell into their mouth or, after playing with a bone, lick their finger.

If there are pets in the apartment, you need to carefully ensure that the child does not come into contact with his food and toys. Food on the table should be covered with a napkin or special packaging film to prevent insects from bringing infection.

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Poisoning is a typical pathological condition in a child caused by intoxication of the body when certain bacteria, viruses, substances and other agents enter it. In this case, it is important not only to contact a pediatrician in a timely manner (and in some cases, call an ambulance), but also to organize the correct first aid procedures in order to alleviate the condition of the little patient and minimize the risks of complications.

Symptoms of intoxication in a child

Symptoms of negative conditions in children are generally not specific - certain types of manifestations directly depend on the pathological agent affecting the body.

As modern clinical practice shows, food poisoning most often occurs. Much less often it is associated with the unintentional use of potentially dangerous substances or prolonged direct contact with them. What all of the above cases have in common is a strong characteristic severity of symptoms that manifest themselves more intensely than in adults.

The general clinical picture may include:

What to do if a child is poisoned and has severe vomiting, what can be given, what medications are allowed to be taken and how to restore the baby’s body, in which case it is necessary to consult a doctor - you will find answers to these and other important questions further in our article.

First aid for a child in case of poisoning

First aid to a child should be provided taking into account his condition and the potential pathogen that caused intoxication. Thus, if aggressive chemicals, phosphorus compounds and a number of heavy metals that can react with water are swallowed, gastric lavage is prohibited.

In case of obvious respiratory failure, severe symptoms of kidney or liver failure, suspected internal bleeding or collapse of the cardiovascular system it is necessary to transport the child to the intensive care unit as quickly as possible the nearest hospital, including on the transport itself, if the ambulance team is delayed.

The basic procedure includes:

Calling an ambulance to your home;
. It is better to use a soda solution (1 tablespoon per 1.5 liters of water). It is necessary to give the child a liquid to drink, and after 1-2 minutes induce artificial vomiting by pressing on the root of the tongue. Repeat the procedure until clean wash water appears;

Sorbents. After gastric lavage, you need to supplement the procedure by taking an enterosorbent - for example, activated carbon at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kilograms of the child’s body weight;
Drink. If there is excessive vomiting and diarrhea, it is worth giving your child small portions of water every 15-20 minutes to avoid rapid dehydration.

Medicines for poisoning in a child

Modern medicine recommends treating children with drugs for food and other poisoning only under the supervision of a qualified specialist, preferably in a hospital or outpatient setting. However, if this is not possible, and the poisoning is mild or moderate, the following groups of drugs can be used at home:

Antiemetics. They are a symptomatic type of drugs intended to relieve severe vomiting (blocking the reflex) when there is a threat of dehydration. It is worth understanding that they do not treat a small patient, but are intended only to reduce the likelihood of the body losing a large amount of fluid very quickly. Typical representatives are Cerucal and Atropine;
Antispasmodics. Necessary to eliminate spasms of smooth muscles and relieve pain in the epigastric region. Typical representatives are Drotaverine and No-Shpa;
Normalizers of gastrointestinal motility. Used as an addition to therapy, nausea, heartburn, and bloating are eliminated. Typical representatives are Motilium and Espumisan;

How to treat poisoning in children: proper nutrition and drinking

The process of intoxication of a child’s body causes a serious blow to the child’s digestive system, so a special diet is mandatory for the child:

Fractional in small portions. Up to 5-6 times a day;
Prepared exclusively by boiling or steaming. Raw and fried foods are prohibited.
Calorie restriction. During the acute period of toxicity, a child must limit the calorie content of meals - no more than 1500 Kcal/day;
Balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Approximate values for these parameters per day are 150 grams of carbohydrates, and 60 grams of proteins and fats;
The total duration of a strict diet is from 3 to 5 days, after which relaxations are possible.

Light poultry broths are allowed, mucous soup on rice or semolina, pureed porridge (buckwheat, rice), stale bread. After the condition has stabilized, lean meat, dairy products, potatoes, compotes, etc. are introduced into the diet.

Anything fried, heavy porridges (including oatmeal, barley, egg), rich borscht and soups, marinades, sauces, pickles, spices, any vegetables and fruits that change the acidity of the stomach, baked goods, chocolate, canned food, cheeses, mushrooms are prohibited.

The drinking regime includes drinking at least 2 liters of liquid throughout the day, taken in small portions.

It is optimal to use clean water, as well as Regidron or Hydrolyte solutions. When the condition has stabilized, it can be supplemented with diluted natural juices, compotes, rosehip decoction and light tea.

In what cases is it necessary to consult a doctor?

Below are possible situations when calling a doctor or ambulance in case of poisoning of children must be made:

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine offers dozens, if not hundreds, of different recipes to combat the symptoms, causes and consequences of poisoning. It should be understood that the vast majority of them are intended for adults, only as part of an addition to the main therapy and after mandatory consultation with the attending physician.

You can use them outside these strict limits, especially for a child, only at your own peril and risk, clearly aware of the potential danger to the child’s body.

Recipes for treating poisoning in a child at home:

Restoring a child’s body after poisoning

After the end of the acute period of poisoning, the little patient’s body requires restoration. In the absence of complications of toxicity, the following measures are applied:

Progressive diet. Limiting calorie intake, eating small portions of food, but 5-6 times a day. Strict restrictions on food consumption are gradually lifted from 3-4 days after the onset of poisoning - jelly, crackers, liquid mashed potatoes, rolled oats, neutral fruits, eggs, milkweed and fermented milk products are introduced;
Restoration of microflora. It is recommended to take probiotics and prebiotics - the former restore beneficial microflora in the gastrointestinal tract, while the latter create the prerequisites for its development and protect from destruction. Typical representatives are Linex, Bifiform, Duphalac, Lactusan;
Hepatoprotectors. Almost always, after poisoning, the child’s liver also suffers. As additional measures to restore it, you should start taking hepatoprotective drugs, for example Essentiale, Heptral, FanDetox.