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Can Ingesting Vicks BabyRub Cause Diarrhea In A 2 Year Old?
My two year old may have ingested Vicks BabyRub on Friday and the following Monday started having horrible diarrhea, which has continued until today (Saturday). Given the delay in symptoms, could the two be related? If so, what should be done about it?
Wed, 17 Feb 2016
HI,
Thanks for the query.
I understand your concern.
Vicks baby rub contains strong counter irritant like camphor.. to control pain. Ingesting it can cause intestinal irritation & loose motions.
Keep baby well hydrated with sufficient ORS & water.( with sugar & salt )
Feed with soft, easily digested food like semisolid boiled rice/ Sago pudding . diluted milk/ mother's milk would be permitted.
Watch out for the symptoms to subside,
* go to ER/ baby's doctor.. in case diarrhea is not controlled in a couple of days/ there are signs of dehydration/ vomiting starts/ gets fever .
Thanks.
Thanks for the query.
I understand your concern.
Vicks baby rub contains strong counter irritant like camphor.. to control pain. Ingesting it can cause intestinal irritation & loose motions.
Keep baby well hydrated with sufficient ORS & water.( with sugar & salt )
Feed with soft, easily digested food like semisolid boiled rice/ Sago pudding . diluted milk/ mother's milk would be permitted.
Watch out for the symptoms to subside,
* go to ER/ baby's doctor.. in case diarrhea is not controlled in a couple of days/ there are signs of dehydration/ vomiting starts/ gets fever .
Thanks.
I find this answer helpful
**
1. Since vicks contain camphor thus accidental ingestion will usually cause camphor overdose and as camphor is an irritant thus will result in burning, irritation,thirst,vomiting and pain throughout the esophagus and diarrhea with abdominal pain, thus emergency treatment is necessary where activated charcoal is used to bind the camphor before gastric lavage is carried out.
2. After testing vicks vaporub in laboratories, researchers have inferred that the product which is used to ease symptoms of chest congestion in child may cause respiratory distress.
PS. It may/can stimulate the production of mucus and inflame the airways, which can severely affect breathing because of narrower airways in children.
3. make sure that neither vicks or any decongestant [cold remedy] is safe for young children.
1. Since vicks contain camphor thus accidental ingestion will usually cause camphor overdose and as camphor is an irritant thus will result in burning, irritation,thirst,vomiting and pain throughout the esophagus and diarrhea with abdominal pain, thus emergency treatment is necessary where activated charcoal is used to bind the camphor before gastric lavage is carried out.
2. After testing vicks vaporub in laboratories, researchers have inferred that the product which is used to ease symptoms of chest congestion in child may cause respiratory distress.
PS. It may/can stimulate the production of mucus and inflame the airways, which can severely affect breathing because of narrower airways in children.
3. make sure that neither vicks or any decongestant [cold remedy] is safe for young children.
I find this answer helpful
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