Every month, we post a new article covering the latest trends and updates on harmful substances. We share information and safety tips on trending poison topics so that you and your family will know how to avoid these harmful substances and know what to do if you encounter them.
Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) balls and beads are used in many ways around the home. Once ingested and as they come in contact with stomach juices, the beads grow quickly over the first few hours. Serious symptoms can occur, continue reading to learn more!
It’s time for spring cleaning! Before you bring out all of your various cleaning products, be sure to learn about which chemicals should not be mixed. And speaking of things that don’t mix, there are many medications interactions to learn about, too.
Quick Facts Missouri Poison Center receives many calls every year about accidental ingestion of pet medication. Most pet medication exposures can be safely monitored at home. Keep pet medications out of sight and reach, in a separate location from human medications. It may be unexpected, but the poison center receives…
In 2025, the Missouri Poison Center received reports of 219 exposures to laundry detergent pods in children or adolescents. 31 of the 219 were seen in a healthcare setting. These laundry pods can be attractive to both children and adults; however, serious effects may occur if swallowed. The pods look…
Quick Facts Dietary supplements are NOT proven safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Check with your healthcare provider before using a supplement. Some supplements can interact with your prescribed medications. It's a new year, so it's time for a new you, right? Many of us want…
Poisonings never take a break, even during the holidays. Missouri Poison Center is always ready to help, every day of the year. One of the best pieces of advice we give is to program the poison help phone number into your mobile phone: 1-800-222-1222. Being prepared and calling right away is your best bet – you’ll be speaking with a poison specialist within seconds to get the help you need!
Quick Facts Tick bites are on the rise in Missouri. To remove a tick, use thin-tipped tweezers—smothering or burning the tick is not recommended. The longer a tick is attached, the greater the chance of disease transmission. The best way to protect you and your family from tick-borne disease is…
You may have known certain fruit pits and seeds contain a form of cyanide, but could someone really have a toxicity from eating them? A recent news story about cherry pits has brought concern to the public. A man reportedly ate three cherry pits and was hospitalized for cyanide poisoning. He apparently cracked open the pit and ate the seed inside. While this is extremely rare and unlikely to occur from an exposure like this, cherry pits do contain a small amount of a toxic substance.
Have you seen the new trend in food and cosmetics for 2017? For decades, charcoal was the “go-to” antidote in the emergency department for poisonings. Recently, it has fallen out of favor as research studies show it may not work as well as we thought. But, charcoal is making a comeback as a trendy product for use as a detoxifier. Many people are now buying activated charcoal powder or capsules at their local health food store or online.
