Is Child Safe Nail Polish Harmful if Swallowed?

When your child̵7;s fingernail polish is labeled ̶0;Non-toxic̶1; or ̶0;Child-safe,̶1; this is indicating that it̵7;s considered safe if used correctly as a topical beauty product. This child-safe label doesn̵7;t apply to internal use, unless specifically stated on the packaging. If you suspect that someone has swallowed nail polish of any kind, you must seek immediate medical attention.

  1. Ingredients

    • Nail polish ingredients can vary from product to product. You always want to look closely at the ingredients of your child̵7;s nail products. Stay away from products that claim to be kid-safe, but do not clearly list the ingredients. Child-safe nail polishes may contain ingredients such as water, acrylic polymers and non-toxic colorants. Usually these kids̵7; products are hypoallergenic and water-soluble. You don̵7;t want to allow your child to use regular nail polishes as they may contain harmful chemicals like toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate.

    Symptoms if Ingested

    • According to Medline Plus, the symptoms of nail polish poisoning can vary greatly, depending on the amount of nail polish that was swallowed and how quickly the person received treatment. The affected person may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, frequent urination, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, balance problems, drowsiness, seizures, hallucinations or walking difficulties.

    What To Do

    • If you or a family member swallows nail polish, you should act immediately. Call your local emergency number, usually 9-1-1, or contact the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions. These numbers can be used any time of day, all year long. Medline Plus warns you not to induce vomiting if you suspect nail polish poisoning. Let the medical professionals determine the best course of action.

    Tips

    • When you have products like these around the house, you should follow some safety precautions. Always store fingernail polish out of reach of children and pets. Closely monitor your child if she is using nail polish or nail polish remover, and put the products up when she is done. If your child is participating in a group nail polish activity, like a kids̵7; mani-pedi party, have her bring her own child-safe products.

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