Swallowing glow stick liquid can be alarming for parents, but the liquid is generally considered low in toxicity. Knowing the appropriate steps can help manage the immediate concern effectively.
Immediate Steps to Take
First, remove any residual liquid from their mouth. Gently wipe or rinse the child’s mouth with a wet cloth or water. Offer your child a small amount of water or milk to drink. This helps dilute the liquid in the stomach and wash away any lingering taste or irritation.
Contact the national Poison Control Center immediately for personalized advice, as they are the primary resource for these situations, at 1-800-222-1222 in the U.S. Be prepared to provide details about the incident, including the product name if available, to ensure accurate guidance.
Recognizing Symptoms and When to Seek Medical Attention
Children often experience mild, temporary symptoms after ingesting glow stick liquid. Common reactions include mouth or throat irritation, such as a burning sensation or redness. Some children may also experience temporary nausea, upset stomach, or mild vomiting. These symptoms are due to the liquid’s irritating properties, not severe toxicity.
If glow stick liquid contacts the eyes, flush the affected eye(s) with clean, lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes. Eye irritation is common but usually subsides after thorough rinsing. If irritation persists, or if you observe continued tearing or redness, seek medical evaluation.
Seek medical attention if your child experiences severe or persistent pain or burning, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or excessive and prolonged vomiting. Lethargy or any unusual behavior also warrants medical evaluation. If Poison Control advises you to go to an emergency room or see a doctor, follow their recommendation promptly.
What’s Inside Glow Sticks and How to Prevent Future Incidents
Glow sticks produce light through a chemical reaction called chemiluminescence, meaning they generate light without heat. They typically contain two main chemical components separated by a small glass vial. When the stick is bent, the vial breaks, allowing a fluorescent dye, an oxidizer like hydrogen peroxide, and a solvent such as dibutyl phthalate or diphenyl oxalate to mix. These chemicals are generally considered low in toxicity and primarily cause irritation upon contact, rather than severe poisoning.
To prevent future incidents, keep glow sticks out of reach of young children. Supervision is recommended when children play with them. If a glow stick breaks or leaks, discard it immediately to prevent exposure. Teaching older children not to bite or deliberately break glow sticks also helps avoid accidental ingestion or contact.