A team of ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists have demonstrated that eating honey after swallowing a button battery has the potential to reduce serious injuries in small children. Based on findings in laboratory animals, the research suggests that this common kitchen ingredient may significantly reduce morbidity and mortality from highly caustic batteries.

Button batteries are common in many electrical devises and toys. The shape of them makes them very easy for children to ingest like a tablet or sweet. A&E report an increase in the number of children swallowing these batteries in the last five years. 

These batteries are extremely dangerous when ingested as they react with saliva and the tissue of the oesophagus, it creates a hydroxide-rich, alkaline solution that essentially dissolves tissue. The critical time frame for which ingesting a battery can cause serious and life-threatening oesophageal injury is 2 hours, so urgent medical attention is critical. Without this intervention the battery can cause severe complications like oesophageal perforation, vocal cord paralysis and erosion into the airway or major blood vessels.  

Children who have ingested a button battery may present with the following symptoms: 

• sore throat 
• cough 
• fever 
• difficulty swallowing 
• poor oral intake or noisy breathing

After you have called 999, the recommended first aid method is to give the child honey at regular periods before reaching the hospital. The honey will coat the battery and slow down the process of reaction. When you call 999 this advice will now be given to you. But remember giving the honey should not take priority of getting them to hospital urgently.  Do not give honey if the child is under 1-year-old due to a small risk of botulism or potential allergy to honey. It is also not recommended if the child is seriously ill with suspected sepsis. 

 “Button batteries are commonly found in households, and they should always be stored in a secured container, out of reach of children,” said Jatana, lead researcher. “Parents and caregivers should check all electronic products in the home and make certain that the battery is enclosed in a compartment that requires a tool to open and periodically check to ensure it stays secure over time.” As with everything prevention is better than the cure. 

References:  Anfang RR, Jatana KR, Linn RL, Rhoades K, Fry J, Jacobs IN. pH-neutralizing esophageal irrigations as a novel mitigation strategy for button battery injury,” The Laryngoscope, online June 11, 2018.