Poisoning

First aid for poisoning in children, covering ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, and eye exposure. Core principle: never induce vomiting, preserve the substance container, and call for professional guidance immediately. Apply when: When a child is suspected of having ingested, inhaled, or come into contact with a toxic substance. Common substances include medications (49% of cases), cleaning products (36%), pesticides, plants, and alcohol. Approximately 90% of child poisoning incidents occur at home. Signs may include altered consciousness, breathing difficulty, burns in or around the mouth, vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling, coughing, or unusual odour on breath or clothing. Some poisons cause delayed symptoms — always seek guidance even if the child appears well.