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Harmless substances

Fortunately, most young children will swallow substances or medications that do not produce any serious symptoms.

In general, the following list includes examples of harmless substances when swallowed:

·         Aluminum foil

·         Bar soap

·         Candles

·         Chalk

·         Cigarette ashes

·         Crayons

·         Cosmetics (except nail polish remover)

·         Deodorants

·         Hair sprays

·         Hand lotions

·         Lead pencils (the "lead" is actually graphite)

·         Lipstick

·         Mascara

·         Mercury from a broken thermometer

·         Motor oil

·         Perfumes

·         Petroleum jelly

·         Shaving cream

·         Silica gel

·         Silly putty

·         Spackle

·         Styrofoam

·         Suntan lotions

·         Toothpaste (without fluoride)

·         Water colors

Some examples of harmless medications when swallowed:

·         Antacids

·         Antibiotics (most)

·         Birth control pills

·         Calamine lotion

·         Stool softeners

·         Vitamins without iron