What are water beads?
Water beads are water-absorbing polymers (a type of plastic) that start off the size of a pinhead but expand when they are placed in water. They used to be used by florists to help keep plants hydrated as they could hold so much water. They are now used as sensory play and are sold as toys. They can be extremely dangerous if they’re ingested.
Why are they so dangerous for children?
Water beads can grow up to 200 times their size. The clear colourful beads can be dried out and reused. They are colourful and squishy and children may be tempted to swallow them. Children also have put them in their ears or noses.
Paediatric Gastroenterologist Dr Jenifer R. Lightdale says “These particular objects can grow bigger as they pass through the intestines, ultimately paving the way for obstruction.”
The beads may not be visible on X-rays which can make it very difficult to locate them in the body if they have been ingested which makes removal of them complicated.
You can buy different sized water beads and some of the larger ones can expand to about 6cm wide. They will continue to expand once they have been swallowed.
What happens if a child swallows a water bead?
In 2016 two children in the US aged 5 and 7 had put water beads in their ears. Doctors couldn’t see the water beads so presumed they had an ear infection and prescribed antibiotics. The children continued to become unwell and the beads expanded further and had to be removed surgically. The children were left with permanent damage to their eardrums and one with permanent loss of hearing.
Just last year a 10-month-old baby girl swallowed a water bead and became so unwell doctors gave her a 50 per cent chance of survival. The bead blocked her bowel and she needed 5 surgeries to repair the damage caused. Thankfully she has now recovered and her mother is trying to raise awareness of the dangers of water beads.
Signs Your Child May Have Swallowed Beads:
Refusing to eat
Drooling
Vomiting
Wheezing
Complaints that something is stuck in the throat or chest
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Abdominal swelling and soreness
If you suspect your child has swallowed a water bead or placed one into their ear or nose, please seek medical advice straight away.
It’s best not to have them in the house if you have young children but if you please ensure you supervise children very closely.