Have you heard of the African Gaboon Viper? This highly venomous, non-native snake was the subject of a 2 a.m. call from a hospital some years ago. Luck was not on the side of the person it bit, as this very rare snake isn’t typically found in the U.S. When we got the call, our … more
Sit, stay, heel… but what about, “Don’t touch that! It might be poisonous!”? Long summer days mean more time for everyone to spend outside—including our furry, fluffy and curious canine companions. With summer comes unique situations that might cause your dog harm. We turned to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) for their guidance … more
Who likes gummies, chocolate, candy, cookies or brownies? We do! We do! While most everyone loves sweet treats, curious and hungry toddlers are most prone to get into trouble when finding a treat that’s actually a cannabis product. The number of unintentional exposures to cannabis edibles, especially gummies, has increased since Illinois legalized cannabis products … more
Who’s ready for a road trip! Spring, summer, fall or winter—there’s no bad time to explore new places and visit family and old friends. With all the excitement of hitting the road, it’s easy to let your guard down when it comes to poison prevention. But mishaps can happen when you’re packing and on the … more
Four tiny hands, 85 melatonin gummies and two mouths full of trouble: This is the story of two curious 3-year-old cousins who were up past their bedtime cruising the kitchen for some late-night snacks. When they found a big bottle of gummies, they went for it. Little did they know those seemingly delicious candies were … more
Kids are curious, rambunctious and full of energy. They get into everything! But what if they got their little hands on your cannabis gummies? One parent recently called the Illinois Poison Center because their 2-year-old discovered a colorful bag of what she thought were gummy candies in her parents’ nightstand. Within an hour of devouring … more
Foodie, newbie or old pro? Whether you’re preparing your first holiday feast or your 15th, there’s a lot to consider. Most home cooks want to serve a meal that wows even the most hard-to-please guest. There’s another way to make them happy, though: Don’t make them sick… as nothing can ruin a holiday get-together more … more
Do you have high-powered magnet toys or kits at home? Are you considering buying these magnet toys or kits for kids to create pyramids or other creations? If so, be exceedingly careful if you have children in the home as these products can pose a significant danger if swallowed. Why small high-powered magnets can turn … more
Have you ever been dared or challenged to do something that seemed harmless but turned out to be risky? If so, you’re not alone. Sometimes people feel pressured to accept a challenge that involves eating or drinking large amounts of something – often common products around the house. Participating in a challenge, though, could put … more
A common reaction many people have when a child ingests something potentially harmful is to make them throw up. Our parents did it and it seems like a natural instinct, but inducing vomiting is not always the best course of action. Historically, we would make children vomit with syrup of ipecac (SOI). The idea was … more
Feeling overheated under the hot summer sun is a common experience. But for some people, experiencing a spike in body temperature—known as hyperthermia—can result from taking certain medications. A recent medical journal article discussed a case of a person whose body temperature reached 104 degrees Fahrenheit while on multiple medications. Fortunately, this patient recovered but … more
From the sizzle of barbecues to the colorful explosions in the night sky, the Fourth of July holiday is filled with excitement and joy. As you gear up to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends, it’s important to be mindful of potential poisoning hazards that can occur. IPC is sharing some of the most … more
Life is busy, sometimes hectic, and mistakes happen. We know! That’s why we’re here to help you avoid those uh-oh moments we’ve heard time and time again. Callers to IPC’s helpline have sought our advice for so many different potentially harmful cases. But when we hear about the same scenarios regularly, we have learned that … more
If you answered the question above with, “Call the Illinois Poison Center (IPC),” that is a great answer! According to the National Poison Data System (NPDS), 260,000 cases reported to U.S. regional poison centers every year involve medication errors. With nearly 1 out of every 8 cases handled by poison centers involving a medication error, … more
Every year in Illinois, the glorious days of summer lead to the cooler days of fall and eventually the bone-chilling cold of winter. Hats, scarves, thick coats and gloves become a necessity when venturing outside. To keep our indoor spaces comfortable, the indoor thermostats are inched a little warmer and furnaces start to work more … more
Basements, attics, furnace rooms, barns, sheds/garages…you never know where seriously scary poisons will show up. Some of these poisons have been banned for decades in the U.S. (or used under very tight restrictions) but still available in other areas of the world. Every once in a while, the IPC gets called because someone brought a … more
In medicine one of the ways information is shared among healthcare professionals is by publishing interesting, unusual or emerging case reports in peer reviewed medical journals. While this is not a case managed by the Illinois Poison Center, I thought it was important to share this real life situation! Case Report: A 2 year old … more
Mushrooms, fungi, toadstools—no matter what you call them, you have probably seen them growing in your yard and everywhere you travel. They come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes—not to mention smells—and range from edible delicacy to deadly poisonous. Illinois certainly has its share of wild, funky, as well as poisonous mushrooms found throughout … more
We get some crazy calls here at the IPC, including some that are a little gross—such as when someone has eaten a BUG. I’m a cold-weather person for a number of reasons, one of which is there are considerably fewer bugs around in winter. Warm weather means a greater chance of a run in with … more
It has been a long winter and most Illinoisans are ready for summer and back yard barbeque season. This summer will be a time for many of us to reconnect with family and friends with large gatherings, food, fun and laughter. However, nothing can ruin a party more than an outbreak of food-borne illness among … more
Much of the population is familiar with the common sun protection methods, could your daily medications put you at risk for becoming sunburned instead of sun-kissed? In Illinois, the cold, harsh winter season is quickly coming to a close, and the long-awaited sunshine is just around the corner. Let me tell you what, I am … more
Sixty years ago, on February 7, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Proclamation 3449 declaring the observation of the very first National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) beginning on March 18th that year. Legislation passed by Congress in 1961 called on the President to designate the third week of March as NPPW. The objective was to … more
New words of advice from the IPC: Best to know before you go or in this case, get it on (if you know what we mean)! Sorry to tell you, but some potentially toxic/harmful substances can be transmitted via intimate, physical contact as well as by exposure to bodily fluids. The good news…here’s your chance … more
Did you know that the skin is not a tissue? It’s actually the largest organ of the body. Skin and its derivatives (hair, nails, specialized nerve endings as well as sweat and oil glands) make up the integumentary system, which has three main functions: protection, regulation and sensation. Here are some other fascinating facts: Your … more
Poison hemlock is a toxic plant that has appeared in history and literature for thousands of years. But what is it, exactly? And why is still a problem today? We are going to dive into the botanical world of plant identification and toxicology with a short Q & A about this impressive plant.
