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Ice Pack

Low Risk

Also known as:

cold packs freezer packs gel freezer packs ice wraps

a woman holds an ice pack to her shoulder.
Possible Symptoms
  • Minor stomach upset
  • diarrhea
  • skin irritation
What to Do
  1. Wipe or rinse out the mouth.
  2. Give a serving size of water to drink.
  3. Rinse any exposed skin with lukewarm water and soap.
  4. Call 1-800-222-1222 for additional instructions.

Additional Information

An ice pack is typically a portable plastic bag filled with a gel or liquid that remains cool hours after it is taken out of the freezer. Because the gel has a lower freezing point than water, it freezes slowly and remains a semi-solid when in use.

The gel in most freezer packs is non-toxic and biodegradable; it is usually a polymer or cellulose. Some products may also include additives like preservatives, sodium chloride, minerals, water, or dye.

What to do if someone eats the gel inside an ice pack?

Small ingestions are unlikely to cause any symptoms, but it is possible a minor upset stomach or loose stool could occur. If this gel comes into contact with a child’s eyes, it may cause mild irritation.

If you notice that your child has ingested some of the gel from an ice pack, do not panic. Take the product away from the child and wipe their mouth out with a soft wet cloth. You may give them some water to drink to get the taste out of their mouth. Do not try to induce vomiting.

After you have removed your child from the situation, immediately call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.  Treatment recommendations are often determined by the amount ingested. The poison center is open all day, every day, for poisoning emergencies and questions, and our team of medical professionals will help to walk you through the next steps.

Take The Missouri Poison Center With You

Emergencies don’t wait for you, so you shouldn’t have to wait to call for help. Get the Missouri Poison Center app with poison information and a link to the Poison Help Line. It is just a click away during the most stressful moments. Our registered nurses and pharmacists are here 24/7/365 days a year to help guide you through poison exposures and overdose emergencies.

Don’t wait. Download now.

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