17-05-2025
Sidcup mum's horror as baby falls critically ill after swallowing Vicks VapoRub
A Sidcup mum has spoken of her horror after her 11-month-old daughter fell critically ill moments after accidentally ingesting a tiny amount of Vicks VapoRub.
On Saturday, May 3, Carly Lloyd's baby, Poppy, managed to grab an open pot of the popular menthol ointment from her mum's handbag.
In the blink of an eye, she touched her mouth with a finger that had barely skimmed the inside of the pot - but it was enough to trigger a terrifying chain of events.
'She was shaking her head and really confused, literally just staring at us and staring at the ceiling,' Carly told the News Shopper.
'Her body started going stiff, then her eyes just rolled up towards the air, and all of a sudden, she'd come out of that and then scream.
'But she went literally stiff as a pan in my husband's arms.'
Baby Poppy (Image: Carly Lloyd)
Vicks VapoRub is commonly used to relieve coughs and congestion, but contains camphor - a substance that, in even small quantities, can be highly toxic to children.
A few teaspoons of camphor can be fatal to a toddler.
Carly said she immediately pulled Poppy's hand from her mouth and wiped around her lips with a muslin.
'I'm trying to raise awareness around this because there's nothing on the pot that tells you,' she said.
A spokesperson for P&G, owners of Vicks VapoRub, said the packaging 'clearly states' that the product should be kept out of the reach of children, and should not be used on children under the age of two.
The spokesperson added: 'We'd like to provide reassurance that our products are safe when used as intended.'
After initially appearing fine, Poppy became violently ill within two hours.
Carly (front right) and the Lloyd family. (Image: Carly Lloyd)
Carly said she called 999 and was advised by paramedics to monitor her daughter closely since the amount ingested was so small.
But things escalated quickly.
Carly added: 'She started screaming and vomiting.
'Then she just went rigid and limp.
'I was obviously very, very upset.
'The paramedic said this stuff could kill her, but she wasn't going to die.'
Poppy was taken to Princess Royal University Hospital. (Image: Carly Lloyd)
An ambulance took the family to Princess Royal University Hospital where doctors monitored Poppy until she was discharged later that evening at 10.30pm.
While Poppy appeared back to normal that night, Carly said the nightmare wasn't over.
She explained: 'The next morning she was acting strange again – screaming, grabbing her head with both hands.
'If it had been the tiniest bit more she could have died.'
'I was petrified.
'I thought it was killing her brain and giving her brain damage. I thought it was attacking her brain and there would be no coming back from it.'
The mum-of-four is now urging other parents to be aware of the risks and says warning labels on products like Vicks VapoRub should be clearer about the dangers of ingestion in young children.
A P&G spokesperson said: 'We were really sorry to hear about this unfortunate accident and acknowledge the distress it must have caused the family.
'The safety and well-being of those who use our products is our utmost priority.
'We'd like to provide reassurance that our products are safe when used as intended.
'Our packaging clearly states that this product should be kept out of the reach of children, should not be used on children under the age of two and provides helpful guidance on what to do if the product is accidentally ingested."
