Ingesting feces, while unpleasant, is a relatively common occurrence in childhood exploration. This behavior, known as coprophagia, stems from a child’s natural curiosity and tendency to explore the world through their mouth. While the incident can cause anxiety, in most cases where only a small amount is consumed, the health risks are low. The focus should be on immediate hygiene measures and careful monitoring for any signs of illness.
Immediate Steps to Take
The first priority is to calmly and quickly remove any remaining fecal matter from the child and the surrounding environment. Gently wipe out the child’s mouth, including their gums and tongue, using a soft, wet cloth or a child-safe wipe to remove residue. Offer the child small sips of water to rinse the mouth and flush out any remaining bacteria.
Next, thoroughly clean the child’s hands and face using mild soap and warm water. Pay particular attention to cleaning under the fingernails, as fecal matter can easily become lodged there and cause secondary exposure. Contaminated surfaces, toys, or clothing should also be cleaned and sanitized immediately to prevent further contact or spread of germs.
Assessing the Health Risks
The primary concern with ingesting feces is the potential exposure to various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Fecal matter contains gut bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, which can cause illness if ingested. However, when only a small amount is swallowed, the incident is generally considered minimally toxic.
The risk profile changes depending on the source of the waste. Ingesting one’s own feces (self-ingestion) carries a lower risk of severe disease transmission compared to consuming waste from an unknown person or animal. Human feces can transmit viruses like Hepatitis A and common gastrointestinal parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
Animal feces often present a higher risk of specific pathogens not typically found in human waste. Dog feces can contain Campylobacter bacteria and parasites like roundworms. Cat feces may carry Toxoplasma gondii, and raccoon feces can transmit the Baylisascaris procyonis parasite, which is rare but can cause severe illness.
Identifying Symptoms That Require a Doctor Visit
After cleanup, monitor the child closely for symptoms of infection, which may appear hours or days after the incident. Symptoms often resemble those of food poisoning, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a low-grade fever. If the child remains asymptomatic, medical intervention is typically unnecessary.
Contact a pediatrician or the local poison control center immediately if the child develops a fever over 100.4°F (38°C) or experiences persistent vomiting or diarrhea. These persistent symptoms can quickly lead to dehydration, which is a major concern, especially in young children. Signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, reduced urination, or crying without tears, require prompt medical evaluation.
Seek emergency medical attention if the child exhibits severe symptoms like bloody diarrhea, sudden difficulty breathing, extreme lethargy, or disorientation. When speaking with a healthcare professional, provide specific details about the incident, including the approximate amount consumed and the source of the feces (human, dog, cat, etc.).
Strategies for Preventing Reoccurrence
Preventing future incidents involves a combination of close supervision and environmental modifications to limit access to fecal matter. Diapers should be changed promptly, and soiled diapers must be sealed and disposed of immediately in a secure, covered trash bin. This reduces the window of opportunity for a child to access their own waste.
If pets are in the home, secure or elevate all litter boxes to a height inaccessible to the child, and clean up any outdoor pet waste immediately from play areas. For children exploring the world through taste, redirecting their sensory curiosity with safe alternatives is helpful. Offering appropriate sensory toys or engaging in messy play activities can meet the need for tactile and oral exploration.