What a world we live in. By now, you have probably heard of the “Tide Pod Challenge” in which people of all ages place a Tide laundry pod in their mouths in order for it to dissolve. They film the results and post it online
to garner “likes” and subscribers.
As a health care professional, I never thought I would have to give the advice that consuming gooey, colorful laundry detergent packs is a bad idea. In fact, I did not even want to write on the subject. The whole situation reminds me of the Theory of Natural Selection that I learned about in science class.
However, all the hub-bub about this “challenge” has brought to light something that is a serious health issue: toddlers and small children eating the pods. These kids aren’t doing it as some challenge; they honestly confuse the product with candy. Let’s take a look at what happens when a child (or immature adult) consumes a pod.
To begin, the Tide pod is concentrated laundry detergent. A detergent is used to break up components of waste and is made up of a mixture of ingredients designed to trap dirt molecules. The most predominant ingredient in detergents are surfactants, a long-chain ribbon that attaches to both water and grease which locks the filth away to be washed down the drain.
Upon entering the stomach, surfactants begin locking away all substances that they encounter. As the goo moves forward in the stomach and encounters strong acid and alkali juices in the jejunum and ileum portions of the upper digestive tract, the body will try ever more drastic measures to remove the toxins. This includes severe vomiting, stabbing abdominal pain, and diarrhea to the point of dehydration.
The pods also contain bleach which can cause severe irritation and burns to the digestive tract, possibly long-term. Sometimes the chemical is inhaled into the lungs which can also cause respiratory problems and even become fatal.
If your child is exposed to any laundry product, take immediate action. The National Poison Control Center has several recommendations for Tide Pod emergencies: If the product is in the eyes or the skin, flush with
running water for at least 15 minutes. If the product has been swallowed, have the patient drink a small amount of water or milk. The milk will work to natural bind and neutralize the surfactants inside the detergent. Inducing vomiting may or may not be the right choice.
Some poisons can be semi-tolerated by the body and vomiting might pose a greater risk of the child inhaling the poison into the lungs. Of course, you will also need to seek immediate medical attention. A great reference number for every parent is 1-800-222-1222. This is the direct line to the National Poison help hotline. It is a free call and offers an excellent service for both civilians and health care providers (I have used it several times with my patients).
Keeping your home a safe place for small children is a never-ending battle. My 18-month old reminds me of a convict in jail who has all day to plan his attack on off-limits portions of the house.
Use common sense in babyproofing your home. Keep all cleaners, detergents, and other agents out of reach or locked away. Be mindful of anything the child could use to climb to high shelves near the washer and dryer. Also, be prepared in the case of an emergency. No parent can watch their child every minute of every day. A toddler is exploring the world in which they live. Try to look at things from their perspective. As for the older “kids” and their shenanigans, they are on their own.
Stay safe out there.
