Know the signs of alcohol poisoning. A small amount can be lethal for little children.

 

Signs of alcohol poisoning in young children is far more dangerous than in adults. A small amount can cause a child's blood sugar to drop to a dangerous level.

Alcohol depresses the central nervous system which is responsible for our coordination. If your child has irrational behaviour and falls all over the place he may have consumed alcohol or another product containing alcohol.

Signs of alcohol poisoning in young children are

• The child may smell of alcohol.
• The face of the child may be red and sweating.
• Confusion, stupor.
• Vomiting.
• Noisy and slow breathing.
• Fast and strong pulse .

 

In more severe cases the symptoms are

• Blue or pale skin
  
• Hypothermia (low body temperature)
  
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
  
• Respiratory depression .
  
• Seizures.
  
• Coma.

 

Some people give alcohol to little children to make them sleep or to keep them quiet. In 2007 a 6 month old baby died of alcohol poisoning. The mother claimed she gave the baby alcohol to stop him crying.

People don't realize that even the tiniest amount of alcohol can be deadly for an infant. Make sure you lock away all products containing alcohol. Many house hold products contain alcohol like hand sanitizers, anti-septic mouthwash and window cleaners.

Alcohol hand rub, gel or rinse sanitizers are disinfectants containing at least 60 per cent alcoholl which is more than ordinary vodka.

Isopropanol alcohol is known as rubbing alcohol and is used in hand sanitizers and as an anti-septic for minor cuts. Always use tiny amounts on children and never let them use these products unsupervised. Even absorbed through the skin it can cause mild signs of alcohol poisoning. For little children it is better to use a plain bar of antiseptic soap to wash their hands.

Methanol or methyl alcohol is used in antifreeze. Antifreeze is light coloured and has a sweet taste to it. When infants have access to this product they can easily drink large amounts of it. Symptoms of methyl alcohol poisoning are blurred or misty vision, nausea vomiting shallow breathing, seizures, low blood pressure and cardiac arrest. Surviving patients may be left permanent blind.

 

 

First aid to give to a child with signs of alcohol poisoning

First of all call 911 .The symptoms of alcohol poisoning are not to be underestimated. While help is on the way you should:

• Monitor and try to maintain the child’s breathing. Resuscitation may be needed if the breathing stops completely.
  
• Place the child in the recovery position (on his side) so he doesn’t choke in his own vomit.
  
• Cover with a blanket to reduce the risk of hypothermia (low body temperature).

 

Treatment for alcohol poisoning

When the child arrives at the hospital with signs of alcohol poisoning the first things they usually do is to pump the child’s stomach, provide breathing support and give intra venous fluids.
They will give the child intra venous fluids until the alcohol is completely eliminated from the body.

Remedies for alcohol poisoning

 

Alcohol poisoning is a serious condition that has nothing to do with a hangover.
There are no are no such things as home remedies for alcohol poisoning. The only thing you can do is wait until it is eliminated completely from the body.
Trying to cure alcohol poisoning with home remedies can be very dangerous. The effects of alcohol poisoning can be deadly or leave your child brain damaged if not treated with professional medical care.