In a medicine cabinet of any family, there will probably be activated charcoal. It is also prescribed for children, and the list of recommended conditions includes more than twenty items. The popularity of the drug is due to its unique ability to absorb and gently remove toxins, pathogens, salts of heavy metals and gases from the body. Moreover, the drug is completely natural, because it is produced from peat and coal (most often birch). Doctors agree that the drug is practically safe, so you need to familiarize yourself with the case in which it is recommended for children and how to give it.
What does it consist of
Parents often wonder if activated carbon can be given to children. Pediatricians allow admission, because its composition is almost safe. The medicine is made from charcoal. It has a porous structure, therefore, getting into the stomach, actively absorbs its contents. But tablets are often considered completely harmless and are prescribed on their own. However, in the case of a child, it is important to correctly calculate the required dosage, because exceeding the norm can significantly harm the microflora.
Validity of admission
Activated charcoal for children is most often prescribed for poisoning and diarrhea. The indisputable advantage of the drug is its ability to cope with the intoxication of the body and establish the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Numerous reviews by parents and specialists emphasize that coal quickly eliminates symptoms and promotes gentle cleansing of the stomach and intestines. Equally important is its democratic value.
Activated carbon can be given to children in the following conditions:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. If they are associated with poisoning.
- Colic and flatulence. Observed in newborns.
- Allergic rashes.
- Salmonellosis.
- Dysentery.
- Cirrhosis and hepatitis.
- Asthma.
- Gastritis.
However, doctors warn that activated carbon in children is considered only as a first aid. Use it to treat any disease and on an ongoing basis is possible only for its intended purpose.
What does Komarovsky say?
The opinion of the famous pediatrician Komarovsky is considered by many parents to be especially important. When asked whether activated charcoal can be given to children, he unambiguously answers that yes. Especially the drug is recommended for poisoning, it is important that there is a complete lack of food and plenty of drinking. But the pill cannot be considered a panacea for all problems, because the result does not always live up to expectations.
So, if the child is less than three years old, there is a suspicion of poisoning and he refuses to drink, he must be urgently shown to the doctor. Particularly dangerous symptoms are dark urine, flies in front of the eyes.
Instruction warns
Parents often wonder if activated charcoal can be given to children. Pediatricians agree that the reception will not harm, but only improve the condition with intoxication. However, judging by the instructions, the drug has a number of contraindications. Coal is not recommended for children in case of:
- if dysbiosis is diagnosed, because it will remove the necessary microflora from the body;
- if there is a suspicion of internal bleeding from the organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
- if the child has a history of duodenal ulcer or stomach.
It is also necessary to exclude coal if antitoxic drugs are prescribed, because their components will not have an effect and will be brought out. Contraindication is individual intolerance.
Reception methods
In many conditions, activated carbon is able to help. Instructions for use for children show that it can be offered at any age. In this case, you should be guided by the rules:
- the drug is taken two hours before a meal;
- it is impossible to combine with other means, otherwise their effectiveness is reduced to zero.
Depending on the child’s age and symptoms, activated charcoal for children is proposed according to the following scheme:
- 1-2 tablets are indicated for infants up to one year old;
- 2-4 tablets - for children from 1 to 3 years old;
- 4-6 pills - for children from 4 to 6 years;
- if the child is older than 6 years, then the dosage is calculated on the basis of weight and ranges from 10 to 12 tablets.
When calculating other forms of activated carbon release, the formula is 0.05 g of coal per 1 kg of baby's weight.
Release Forms
Most consumers are used to the fact that activated carbon is available in the form of black tablets. They are porous, so they are able to quickly absorb all unnecessary elements from the digestive tract. Toxins and microorganisms naturally come out with feces. But the sorbent can be found in other forms:
- In the form of powder, packaged in individual sachets. They are recommended to the smallest patients. One bag is enough to receive.
- In the form of capsules. More like adults and can be recommended for adolescents.
- In the form of a paste. This form is not so common, but is most easily used by school-age children.
Activated charcoal for children can be offered in the form of conventional tablets. But if the baby is still too small to swallow, it is recommended that the pill be crushed and mixed with warm water first.
Treatment duration
If you need to give activated charcoal, the instruction for children warns that the symptoms of poisoning and intoxication should go away within two days. Taking the drug for more than three days is prohibited. If symptoms persist and improvement does not occur, then the child should be immediately shown to the doctor.
However, with allergic problems, the doctor may prescribe coal in courses. A child drinks pills for two weeks, then a two-week break. In this case, the features of the reception are discussed together with the doctor.
Possible adverse reactions
Activated charcoal for children is allowed for use, but you should be aware of possible side effects. Despite the fact that the tablets are completely natural, they have a strong absorbing effect. Therefore, the following phenomena may occur:
- decrease in body temperature;
- decrease in normal blood sugar;
- pressure reduction;
- hypovitaminosis and leaching of calcium with prolonged use;
- blockage of blood vessels in certain pathologies.
Doctors warn that if any suspicious symptom appears, the drug should be stopped immediately and the baby should be shown to a specialist.
Activated carbon is considered almost harmless. Use for children is recommended for poisoning. There are indications for admission by infants. But here you should be careful and use the drug only in case of emergency. If possible, coal should be replaced with other absorbent drugs. This is due to the fact that the particles of charcoal are too hard and can damage the delicate mucous membrane of infants. Therefore, the inflammatory process often joins the poisoning or an infection is introduced.
We study the instruction
So that taking the medicine only benefits and does not cause negative consequences, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommended treatment regimen. If the doctor has not prescribed another, then according to the annotation the following rules must be observed:
- Treatment must be continued for three days. After that, relief always comes. If the symptoms do not go away, then the help of a doctor is necessary.
- If treatment is required for the infant, the dosage is calculated strictly on the basis of recommendations - 0.05 g per kg of baby weight. Moreover, the resulting mass is diluted with warm water and given gradually throughout the day. It is important to mix the solution thoroughly to prevent large particles of coal from entering the stomach.
- If it is known for certain that the child was poisoned and the symptoms of intoxication are pronounced, then you can use the drug to wash the stomach. For this, once taken 20-30 g of coal diluted with warm water.
- In the case of vomiting, they normalize the state according to a different scheme. The child is offered to use only 1-3 g of coal, which must be washed down with plenty of water.
Features of taking infants
In this case, everything is clearly stated in the instructions. If activated carbon is required to be offered to children up to a year old, then the algorithm will be as follows:
- A solution is prepared based on the weight.
- For a day, the medicine must be given several times. Coal is offered one hour before a meal or two hours after.
- The tablet should be thoroughly crushed to a creamy state. Better to use as a finished powder.
- You can give the solution from a spoon or using a syringe.
- After administration, the baby is offered an additional portion of water for better absorption and protection of the mucous membranes.
The duration of the course is determined by the pediatrician. If the medicine was used as a remedy for colic, then, as practice shows, it will take about 3-4 days.
Use with rotavirus
Intestinal flu is often severe in young children. Along with high fever, cramping pains are observed in the abdomen. The child is suffering from diarrhea and vomiting. In this case, dehydration is considered especially dangerous. The sorbent, which is recommended along with the use of rehydration agents, will help to remove the clinical picture.
Features of admission with dysbiosis
Contraindication of taking activated charcoal is dysbiosis. However, the doctor can prescribe it in complex therapy to remove unnecessary substances. Due to the fact that harmful are also useful, the reception is carried out only under the supervision of a specialist.
Conclusion
Activated carbon can help with poisoning and relieve symptoms of diarrhea. But you must remember that against the background of taking stool is painted in dark color. Therefore, it is difficult to notice such a formidable complication as internal bleeding. Often pediatricians recommend replacing coal with other analogues that are white or completely transparent. However, as a first aid, having activated charcoal tablets in a medicine cabinet is necessary.