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06/09/2012
Doctors Warn Of Dangers Of Liguitabs
Doctors have warned about the dangers of washing machine and dishwasher liguitabs, after several children had to be treated for near fatal injuries.
Five children, all under two and suffering from chemical burns to their eyes and throats, have been admitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow. They had all either bitten into or burst the tabs by squeezing them.
Dr Lyndsay Fraser, from the hospital's ear nose and throat unit, said: "We have known for some time about the risk of eye injuries from kids squeezing these liquitabs until they burst.
"What we have seen more recently is that children are biting into the tablets, presumably because they think they are sweets as they have the same soft texture and bright colouring.
"The alkaline chemicals in the liquitab cause an immediate chemical burn, causing breathing problems as the airway starts to swell rapidly.
"Getting them to hospital straight away is imperative. In most of the cases seen so far we have had to insert a breathing tube to protect the child's airway from the swelling and help them breathe."
Staff at the hospital say they have been alarmed by the number of children recently admitted as emergency cases.
They have now published a letter in the Archives of Diseases in Childhood to alert medical colleagues and parents to the dangers of liquitabs.
Dr Fraser said: "Most liquitab brands do not come packaged in child proof containers so it is easy to access to them especially if they are left within reach and sight of young children or toddlers.
"Most parents are not aware of the dangers of these common household items, commonly storing them in unlocked cupboards within potential reach of their child.
"It is important parents realise that these liquid capsules are dangerous chemicals and they should be kept locked away so children can't reach them."
(H)
Five children, all under two and suffering from chemical burns to their eyes and throats, have been admitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow. They had all either bitten into or burst the tabs by squeezing them.
Dr Lyndsay Fraser, from the hospital's ear nose and throat unit, said: "We have known for some time about the risk of eye injuries from kids squeezing these liquitabs until they burst.
"What we have seen more recently is that children are biting into the tablets, presumably because they think they are sweets as they have the same soft texture and bright colouring.
"The alkaline chemicals in the liquitab cause an immediate chemical burn, causing breathing problems as the airway starts to swell rapidly.
"Getting them to hospital straight away is imperative. In most of the cases seen so far we have had to insert a breathing tube to protect the child's airway from the swelling and help them breathe."
Staff at the hospital say they have been alarmed by the number of children recently admitted as emergency cases.
They have now published a letter in the Archives of Diseases in Childhood to alert medical colleagues and parents to the dangers of liquitabs.
Dr Fraser said: "Most liquitab brands do not come packaged in child proof containers so it is easy to access to them especially if they are left within reach and sight of young children or toddlers.
"Most parents are not aware of the dangers of these common household items, commonly storing them in unlocked cupboards within potential reach of their child.
"It is important parents realise that these liquid capsules are dangerous chemicals and they should be kept locked away so children can't reach them."
(H)
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