The Poison Post®
Brought to you by Poison Control Centers
August 2012 Edition
Laundry pods are a huge new category of cleaning product. For unknown reasons, this type of laundry liquid has caused dangerous injury to children and at least one death. Effects of biting into a laundry pod include coughing, choking, trouble breathing, coma, and possibly death.  Learn more...
babies and zantac
Up to 70% of infants vomit at least once a day until they are four months old. They may suffer from gastroesophageal reflux. Sometimes doctors prescribe ranitidine for these babies. Parents often panic after giving the wrong dose of ranitidine. Learn more...
Pokeberries are shrubby plants with purple-red stems and clusters of purple berries that look grapes. Eating several berries can cause pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Adults have eaten the roots, mistaking them for medicinal plants. Learn more...
grandparents and toddlers
Grandparents can be bewildered by today's safety recommendations: yes to car seats and bare cribs; no to walkers. There are many new medicines now, too. Some of them can be dangerous for children who swallow only one tablet.  Learn more...
lice treatments
Head lice can affect just about any one. They are not dangerous but they cause miserable itching. Treating head lice involves combing the lice and their eggs (nits) from each strand of hair. Often a chemical also must be used to prevent additional lice from hatching. Learn more...
patch
Transdermal drugs release small amounts of drug into the blood stream over a long period of time. These "skin patch" drugs include pain relievers, nicotine, hormones, and drugs to treat angina and motion sickness. Overdoses can happen in many ways. Learn more...
Two ways to get help for a poison emergency:

Both are free and confidential.  Both provide expert guidance based on age, weight, and amount.