My child swallowed vape liquid. What should I do?

Call 911 straight away, even if your child seems fine, because symptoms can appear quickly. Don't make them vomit. Wipe out their mouth, wash any liquid off their skin with soap and plenty of water, and keep the bottle or pod to show the doctor. If they become very sleepy, have a seizure or stop breathing normally, tell the 911 operator immediately.

How much nicotine is dangerous for a child?

Very little. MedlinePlus notes that in young children, swallowing 1 to 2 mg of nicotine has been linked to signs of poisoning. Vape liquids, nicotine pouches and gum can each contain several milligrams, so you can't assume a small amount is safe. Treat any swallowed nicotine product as an emergency.

What are the signs of nicotine poisoning in a child?

MedlinePlus lists vomiting, drooling or a burning mouth, tummy cramps, agitation or restlessness, a fast pounding heartbeat, sweating, muscle twitching, weakness, unusual sleepiness, difficult or fast breathing and seizures. Early signs are often vomiting and agitation. A child with any of these needs emergency care now.

My child chewed a nicotine pouch but spat it out. Is that an emergency?

Get medical help straight away. Chewing releases nicotine into the mouth, where it's absorbed quickly, so a child can still be affected even if most of the pouch came out. Call 911 if they have any symptoms, and otherwise go to the ER now with the tin so the doctor can see the strength.

Should I make my child vomit after swallowing nicotine?

No. MedlinePlus advises not to make a person throw up unless a poison specialist or health professional tells you to. Vomiting can cause choking, and if the child gets drowsy it can be dangerous. Wipe their mouth, keep them with you, and call 911.

Can I bring my child straight to Emergency Plus?

Yes. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, west Amman has emergency doctors on site 24/7 and sees children at any hour with no appointment. Bring the product, and tell the triage team what was swallowed and when. If your child is very drowsy, having a seizure or struggling to breathe, call 911 rather than driving.

Child Swallowed Vape Liquid? Nicotine Poisoning Signs

E-liquid bottles are brightly coloured and smell like sweets or fruit, and nicotine pouches look like little candies, so children are drawn to them. The amount of nicotine an adult vaper handles every day can poison a small child. This guide covers what to do in the first minutes, the signs to watch for and how to prevent it happening. If the question is about an adult who vaped too much, see symptoms of vaping too much, and for chest and breathing symptoms in vapers see can vaping cause chest pain? and can vaping cause shortness of breath?.

Is it an emergency if a child swallows vape liquid?

Yes. Nicotine is absorbed quickly from the mouth and stomach, and children are affected far more than adults because they're so much smaller. MedlinePlus notes that acute nicotine poisoning usually happens in young children, and that swallowing just 1 to 2 mg has been linked to signs of poisoning in them. You can't know exactly how much a child took, so don't wait for symptoms to appear.

What should I do right now?

Call 911. Say a child has swallowed a nicotine product, and give their age, what they took and when.
Hook out anything left in their mouth with a finger or wipe it with a cloth. Don't make them vomit.
If liquid spilled on their skin or clothes, take the clothes off and wash the skin well with soap and water.
If liquid got in their eyes, rinse them with lukewarm running water for several minutes.
Keep the bottle, pod, tin or packet and take it with you.
Stay with your child and watch their breathing and alertness until help arrives.

If the child swallowed the device's battery or a small part, that's a different emergency: see child swallowed a battery, magnet or coin.

Vape liquid, nicotine pouch or cigarette butt?

Product	Why it's a risk	When symptoms start	What to do
Vape liquid / e-liquid (bottle or pod)	Most concentrated form; a small amount can be enough to poison a young child	Symptoms can start within minutes	Call 911 now; don't make them vomit; bring the bottle or pod
Nicotine pouch or nicotine gum	Nicotine is released as it's chewed or sucked; whole pouches can also be a choking risk	Minutes to an hour or more	Call 911 or go to the ER now; bring the tin or packet
Cigarette or cigarette butt	Tobacco and used butts both contain nicotine	Often slower than liquid, but can still cause symptoms	Go to the ER now; call 911 if they have any symptoms
E-liquid on the skin or in the eyes	Nicotine can pass through the skin; eyes may sting and go red	Minutes	Wash skin with soap and water, rinse eyes with running water, then get medical advice

What are the signs of nicotine poisoning in children?

According to MedlinePlus, symptoms of nicotine poisoning can include:

Vomiting, tummy cramps, drooling or a burning mouth.
Agitation, restlessness or confusion.
A fast, pounding heartbeat, which may later slow down.
Sweating, muscle twitching and weakness.
Difficult or fast breathing.
Severe sleepiness, fainting or seizures.

When to call 911 and when to go to the ER

Call 911 or go to the ER now if:

The child swallowed any amount of vape liquid, or chewed or swallowed a nicotine pouch or nicotine gum.
They ate a cigarette or a cigarette butt.
They're vomiting, drooling, sweating, or their heart is racing.
They're unusually sleepy, hard to wake, or confused.
They're twitching or have had a seizure.
They're struggling to breathe, or their breathing is slow or unusual.
E-liquid spilled over a large area of skin, or they have symptoms after touching it.

Get medical advice the same day if:

The child briefly touched e-liquid, you washed it off straight away, and they have no symptoms.
A small splash in the eye that you rinsed well, but the eye is still red or sore.
You're not sure whether the child put something in their mouth: it's safest to have a doctor check them.

There's no "fine to watch at home" option once a child has swallowed a nicotine product. If in doubt, get help.

How can you protect children from nicotine poisoning?

The NHS advises keeping e-liquids out of reach of children and pets, because swallowed nicotine can cause poisoning. In practice:

Keep devices, bottles and pouches in a high or locked cupboard, not in a handbag or on a table.
Close bottles with their child-resistant cap every time.
Don't refill in front of children, and wipe up spills straight away.
Throw away used pods, pouches and cigarette butts where children can't reach them.
Ask visitors and relatives to keep their devices away from children.

What happens when you come to Emergency Plus?

At the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, emergency doctors are on site 24/7 and children are seen at any hour without an appointment. Your child is triaged on arrival. The doctor will ask what was swallowed, when and how much, examine them, watch their pulse and breathing, and may request tests from the on-site laboratory. The team will explain the right next step for your child.

Has your child swallowed a nicotine product?

Call 911 straight away, and don't drive yourself if your child is drowsy, having a seizure or struggling to breathe. The emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 with no appointment, with an Arabic and English speaking team.

Call our 24/7 ER: +962 79 247 1313

Sources

Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 — +962 79 247 1313.

Child Swallowed Vape Liquid? Nicotine Poisoning in Children

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