A HORRIFIED mum has shared a warning to parents after her daughter couldn’t open her eyes for “days” because of third-degree burns from a washing machine pod.
Bristol based mum-of-two Kelly Spampinato said she felt like the “worst mum in the world” when her toddler, Millie, squeezed a pod into her eyes.
One-year-old Millie managed to get her hands on the pod after her six-year-old brother opened a kitchen cupboard which she found her way in to.
Kelly said she first realised something had happened while vacuuming and heard Millie screaming in pain, reports the BBC.
Speaking to the media outlet, Kelly, said: “I was vacuuming in the living room when I heard her screams. She must have squeezed a pod because her face was covered with it.
“I was heartbroken. I felt like the worst mum in the world and I honestly thought she would be blind.
“I put cold water on her face but she continued screaming so I rang 111 and they advised us to take her to Southmead [Hospital] A&E.”
The chemicals that caused the burns were swilled out of Millie’s eyes at hospital with a spray – but the poor toddler was still unable to open her eyes for a number of days.
Kelly, said: “My other children were asking if she would ever open her eyes again, I didn’t know what to say.
“I never imagined this could happen.”
Luckily, brave Millie was able to open her eyes eventually and her medical consultant said she should make a full recovery.
Kelly added: “When she opened her eye and put her arms out to me, we were all crying and and it was lovely.”
She is now warning other mums and dads to be mindful of the liquid-filled pods – which contain alkaline chemicals – as they can be easy for toddlers to get to if seen.
If a parent does find themselves in a similar position, they’re told to rinse the eye with cool water for 20 minutes and seek medical help.
If children accidently ingest the chemicals parents should call emergency services immediately as they can cause choking and serious breathing problems.
Kelly, said: “I wouldn’t want this to happen to any other family, it’s just been horrendous for us all.”
Its not the only warning issued from parent-to-parent, and all are worth taking note of as they could be the difference between life and death.
Last year a 28-year-old mum issued a warning about sepsis after noticing her toddler had been lethargic for 24 hours.
At the time, Lauren McCarthy, said: “She was on death’s door and so lethargic. I didn’t see her awake for the whole 24 hours.”
And another mum warned parents about the dangers of playing in the park after her little-one suffered second-degree burns from using a metal slide.
