Health > Children's Health > Common Childhood Injuries & Poisonings

Facts about poisonous mushrooms:

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — There are thousands of varieties of mushrooms in North America, but only about 100 are poisonous and can be dangerous if eaten by humans. There are thousands of varieties of mushrooms in North America, but only about 100 are poisonous and can be ...More…

Facts about lead exposure:

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — Children between the ages of 1 and 3 who live in low-income housing built before 1978 are especially at risk. Old furniture, which was previously painted, may contain lead, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ...More…

What causes carbon monoxide poisoning?

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — Carbon monoxide poisoning is the most common cause of accidental poisoning-related deaths and is often called Approximately 24 children die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. In 2000, 1,700 children ages 14 and under developed symptoms ...More…

Childproof Your Home for Poisons

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — Detailed information on childproofing your home to prevent poisonings More than half (52 percent) of all poisonings treated in emergency departments involve children under the age of six. More than 2 million children ages five and under are ...More…

What is syrup of ipecac?

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — Syrup of ipecac is an emetic (an agent used to cause vomiting) made from the dried root of a plant called ipecacuanha, which is grown in Brazil. Ipecac was once recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as an important aspect of ...More…

First-Aid for Poisonings

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — Sometimes accidental poisonings can be treated in the home following the direction of a poison control center or your child's physician. Sometimes accidental poisonings can be treated in the home following the direction of a poison control center ...More…

What is "the arsenic hour?"

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — Children are naturally inquisitive and love to explore their world. Infants tend to put everything in their mouths and toddlers grab whatever looks interesting. Adolescents may experiment with drugs and other mind-altering substances. Consider ...More…

What is frostbite?

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — Frostbite is damage to the skin from freezing and is due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, usually below 32° F. Frostbite is damage to the skin from freezing and is due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, usually below 32° F. It ...More…

What are heat-related illnesses?

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — Dress your child in light colored, lightweight, tightly-woven, loose-fitting clothing on hot days. Exposure to abnormal or prolonged amounts of heat and humidity without relief or adequate fluid intake can cause various types of heat-related illness.More…

Facts About Sunburn

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — Sunburn is a visible reaction of the skin's exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the invisible rays that are part of sunlight. Exposure to the sun during daily activities and play, rather than being at the beach, causes the most sun ...More…

Heat and cold injuries:

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — According to the latest data available from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, consider the following statistics: Accidental, or unintentional, injury is a leading cause of death among children ages 14 and younger. Leading causes of accidental ...More…

What is tennis elbow?

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital — Tennis elbow is a repetitive stress injury of the elbow that occurs when the muscles and tendons in the elbow area are torn or damaged. Tennis elbow is usually caused by repetitive activities that strain the tendons in the elbow area, such as ...More…