DANGERS OF USING PALM OIL AS AN ANTIDOTE��.
Many mothers living in Nigeria believes in this archaic practice of using palm oil as antidotes for poisons. It is believed that it neutralizes poisons” that is AN ANTIDOTE to all and any form of accidental poisonings. Indeed, some extend the use beyond that of poisoning to virtually any illness�..
While palm oil is good for food and provides source of fat/oil and vitamin for human. It could as well be very dangerous when used as an antidote for accidental poisoning in children..

A 3yr old vibrant female child had swallowed detergent and out of fear and ignorant,mother gave plenty oil to neutralize the detergent and induce vomiting. Of course the Child aspirated the palm oil ..now that is the danger inherent in giving palm oil. Later on ,the child started vomiting, coughing and could not breath well and they now remembered hospital.
Now see what the palm oil does' In the process of vomiting the poison (detergent) and the palm oil which is a hydrocarbon, the fumes of the palm oil entered the lungs causing what we call aspiration pneumonitis and lipoid pneumonia��. This leads to respiratory distress and the child could not breathe well'..
The detergent may have caused some damages to the intestines if it's in large quantity which could be managed but the palm oil complicated the issue because it affected the lungs and child could no longer breath well and it's more deadly.
Many of this kind of stories has been heard and many children has died in such situations out of Ignorance.

Now the lessons are;
1. Do not give palm oil for accidental poisoning
2. Do not induce vomiting as the child could aspirate from there.
3. Take the child to the nearest hospital if u notice any symptom. This is because, different poisons has different antidotes.
4. In ur house do not store dangerous chemicals in water bottles or in a plastic container that looks like water. And keep all detergent away from children.
5. Put such chemicals in a cupboard that is up and lockable.
6. Be more vigilant while caring for a toddler.
Pls educate your neighbors and save a life.
Yours village Dr. Sussy Anwu��...

Sissy3
Dominique

This deserves FP to educate Nigerians.