Mission, Asheville, NC - Dirt, swallowing. This is poisoning from ...

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Dirt - swallowing

Definition:

This is poisoning from swallowing or eating dirt.

Poisonous Ingredient:

There are no particular poisonous ingredients unless the dirt contains contaminants such as insecticides , herbicides, fertilizers, parasites, and waste.

Where Found:

Dirt

Symptoms:

Swallowing dirt may cause constipation and intestinal obstruction , which results in stomach pain.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room:

The patient may not need to visit an emergency room. If the person goes to the hospital, treatment may include:

Medicines to treat the symptoms

Expectations (prognosis):

Recovery is very likely unless the dirt contains something that can cause complications.

References:

Callahan GN. Eating dirt. Emerg Infect Dis. 2003;9(8):1016-1021.

Davis S, Mirick DK. Soil ingestion in children and adults in the same family. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2006;16(1):63-75.

Review Date: 10/24/2007
Reviewed By: Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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