The majority of poisoning cases handled by the Maryland Poison Center (MPC) occur in the home. The good news is that with the help of an MPC poison specialist, most of these cases can be managed safely at home. The bad news is that trying to treat a poisoning at home by yourself with outdated home remedies can make some cases worse.
In this blog, we’ll explore common home remedies we hear about. We’ll explain why you shouldn’t use them, and suggest what to do instead.
Inducing Vomiting
There are many home remedies used to induce vomiting after swallowing something you shouldn’t have. However, inducing vomiting is not recommended and has not been shown to help in poisonings. In fact, it can make things worse.
When a person vomits, the poison swallowed comes back up through the throat and out of the mouth. This exposes those areas to the harmful substance for a second time and can cause more damage. Vomiting also increases the risk of choking and getting the swallowed poison into the lungs. This is especially dangerous if the person swallowed:
- Oil-based products such as citronella oil, reed diffuser oil, and air freshener oil
- Corrosive products such as toiler bowl cleaner
- Gasoline
- Medicines that make you drowsy
Some things commonly consumed to induce vomiting that are not recommended are:
- Syrup of Ipecac
- Mustard water
- Salt solutions
- Raw egg whites
If you or someone you know has been poisoned, call the MPC right away for expert guidance. Poison specialists are available 24/7 and will tell you exactly what to do next for your specific situation.
Milk
Many people drink milk after swallowing something harmful because they believe it can soothe the throat or stomach and treat the poisoning. However, milk is not a medicine and does not treat poisoning. Always call the MPC for treatment advice for your specific situation. Based on what was swallowed, a poison specialist may suggest drinking water, juice, or milk. Keep in mind that these drinks do not have special healing powers – they will simply help dilute (make a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water) or rinse out what was swallowed.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal, when used correctly, can bind to certain toxins in the body and prevent them from being absorbed. It is sometimes used in hospitals or by other health care providers to treat certain types of poisonings. However, charcoal does not only bind to poisons – it can also absorb prescription medicines and helpful bacteria. If the charcoal absorbs an important medicine, it may stop that medicine from working and cause new health problems.
Capsules of activated charcoal available in stores often contain much less of the substance than the amount a health care professional could provide. Activated charcoal should not be used at home. It should only be given to you by a health care provider who has evaluated your situation.
If you or someone you know has been poisoned, do not try to treat it yourself with charcoal. Call the MPC right away for expert advice.
Baking Soda
Drinking a baking soda mixture after a poisoning is not safe and not recommended. Baking soda can help reduce stomach acid and may give short-term relief for heartburn or indigestion. This is why some people drink it after swallowing poisons such as household cleaning products or other chemicals. This is not a safe choice, can make the situation worse, and can lead to serious side effects.
If someone has swallowed something harmful, do not try to treat it with baking soda. Call the MPC right away for expert advice.
Drinking Excessive Amounts of Water
Some people drink large amounts of water to “dilute” a poison or to flush medicines out of the body. This is not recommended. Drinking too much water can cause its own health problems and may make the situation worse.
In some cases, a poison specialist may suggest taking small sips of water or another drink. The advice a poison specialist gives depends on what was swallowed and the person’s age, weight, symptoms, and more.
Call the MPC right away for expert advice.
What To Do Instead
If you or someone else experiences a poisoning, follow our first aid steps and then call 1-800-222-1222 to speak with a poison specialist. Calling your local poison center is free, fast, confidential, and available 24/7.
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