Battery Ingestion Treatment

Medically Reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD on November 01, 2021
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
1 min read
  • Call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 800-498-8666 (collect, if necessary) or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or go to your local emergency department.
  • If possible, bring the battery package or a matching battery.
  • In most cases, you will be advised to get an X-ray immediately.
  • Do not induce vomiting.
  • Do not let the person eat or drink until an X-ray has been done.

The next steps depend on the X-ray results.

  • If the X-ray shows the battery is in the esophagus, it will be removed immediately with an endoscopy.
  • If it shows the battery is in the stomach, the person may not need medical treatment. The battery should pass through their stool. However, if they are back home and develops fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, or blood in the stools, go to the emergency room immediately.
  • An X-ray may be needed after 48 hours or more if there was no immediate treatment, to make sure the battery has been pooped out.