A shocking event was reported in Surat just a few days back. In this incident, a lady was engaged in household work in the Kadodara locality when her 7-month-old infant placed a lizard in her mouth while playing. Although the child’s health is currently in good condition, the child’s life might have been at risk.
What kind of damage can lizards inflict? Dr Milan, a critical care specialist at Vedanta Hospital in Rajkot, offered insights to News18 Gujarat on this matter. Lizards are not poisonous creatures but they can have an impact on a child’s health, he said.
Following the incident in Surat, Dr Milan, emphasised the importance of parents closely monitoring their children. This vigilance is crucial because if a child ingests a lizard or any other insect, and its excretions enter the child’s stomach, it could lead to problems. Even though lizards are not venomous creatures, they can still affect a child’s well-being.
The doctor clarified that despite lizards not being venomous if a food item that has been in contact with a lizard or the lizard’s excreta enters a person’s or child’s stomach, it can result in stomach issues. Being bitten by a lizard is not as perilous. Nevertheless, there can be severe repercussions from swallowing or chewing on a lizard. Lizards carry Salmonella bacteria which can lead to stomach infections.
As a result of this infection, symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration and elevated blood pressure can manifest. Swallowing lizards can often induce fear, potentially leading to sudden shock and even fatality. The incident in Surat serves as a cautionary tale for others.
To safeguard the well-being of children, it is essential to keep lizards away from them. A tragic incident unfolded in Bandhpali village, within the jurisdiction of the Sadar police station in Sundargarh district. A three-year-old girl, the daughter of Ranjit Dandasena, a daily wage labourer, passed away after ingesting poisoned watery rice. Her older sister, who had also consumed the contaminated rice, had to be hospitalised.