The Gross Things Your Kids Eat That Are Dangerous (and the Ones That Are Just Gross)

Photo: Andrew Lundquist (Shutterstock)

Babies don’t just explore the world with their hands and eyes. These curious creatures also learn about it with their mouth and will put anything in it to learn more about everything around them. Dirty old pennies? Yep. A television remote? Sure! Old food from under the couch? Of course. The items toddlers will put in their pie holes would probably make former Fear Factor host Joe Rogan a little queasy and might make you a little concerned.

But what items are OK for a child to eat, and which ones warrant a call to poison control? We’ll look at what to do when babies eat disgusting things.

A note about pica

As we stated above, children use their mouths to learn more about the world around them. However, there is an eating disorder called pica (PIE-kuh), in which a person eats things that aren’t considered food, such as rocks, chalk, and even paint chips. It can be caused by developmental issues, stress, and hunger, and can lead to a number of health issues depending on what they eat. Nemours Children’s Health recommends seeing a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Things that are probably OK

• Poop: That’s not a candy bar they’re eating, and according to the Missouri Poison Center, kids eating feces is more common than you’d like to think. The chances of them chowing down dookie increase when there’s a pet in the house. The good news is poop isn’t toxic and has a foul taste (so we’re told) that deters kids from eating a large amount. Should you find your kid chewing on some toilet trout, wash their hands thoroughly and give them a glass of water. Call a doctor immediately should they develop rare symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
• Boogers: As we explained last year, nibbling down nose goblins might actually help kids to build up their immune systems, but the habit is socially unacceptable. It’ll be a process to get them to stop, so explain to kids why eating their boogers isn’t a good thing, keep tissues handy at all times, and give their hands something else to do.
• Pet food: Should you find your little one eating from Fido’s bowl, it’s OK. According to the Illinois Poison Center, the ingredients in dog food have plant- and animal-based ingredients like corn, rice, wheat, beef, poultry, and fish that, while being of lower quality than human food, are still non-toxic. Be aware that larger pet food pellets pose a choking hazard.
• Spoiled food: If your little one sipped milk or ate something past the sell-by date, there is little cause for concern. Seattle Children’s Hospital says the risk for vomiting or diarrhea from eating expired food is small.
• Dirt, bugs, and worms: We’ve all eaten dirt and turned out OK, right? Per Seattle Children’s Hospital, muck and mud may contain feces, but as we explained above, it isn’t toxic, and the risk of developing diarrhea and other symptoms is small. If that happens, call your pediatrician. Should you be concerned that the dirt they ate contains bugs or worms, the Illinois Poison Center says these wiggly delicacies aren’t likely to cause harm.
• Coins: The change underneath your couch cushions has probably been on a wild ride, but the metal in pennies and nickels is not toxic. However, they can be a choking hazard for your child, so it might be a good time to see how much has fallen out of your pockets over the years. There might be enough to get a head start on that college fund.

Things you should worry about

• Mushrooms: After seeing The Super Mario Bros. Movie, your kids might think eating mushrooms will make them increase in size. The reality is that outside the Mushroom Kingdom, these fungi can be extremely poisonous. Should your child eat some toadstools, the Illinois Poison Center recommends calling your local poison control and taking a picture of the mushroom to help them determine the best treatment options based on what your kid ate.
• Berries and plants: Certain berries that grow indoors and outdoors can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, drooling, and sleepiness. Others can cause mouth irritation and, in the case of the castor bean plant, can lead to toxicity. If any of these symptoms occur, call your local poison control ASAP.
• Your hash stash: Many states have de-criminalized recreational and medical cannabis use, including edibles, which means there’s an increased chance of catching your kid’s hand in your edible jar. The National Capital Poison Center says the THC can cause vomiting, dizziness, difficulty walking, increased heart rate, drowsiness, confusion, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, hallucinations, an abnormally slow heart rate, and low blood pressure may occur. Call poison control or take them to the hospital immediately.
• Vomit: Spitting up food is perfectly normal, but vomiting or eating vomit can be a sign of a bigger issue that requires the expertise of your pediatrician.

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