Many Nigerians grew up believing that palm oil, milk, or forced vomiting could save a life after accidental poisoning.
It’s advice often passed down through families and reinforced by movies.
But according to popular health educator Dr. Chinonso Egemba, better known as Aproko Doctor, this long-standing practice may actually be putting lives at serious risk.
A Real-Life Case That Sparked the Warning
In a video shared on X, Dr. Egemba spoke about a child currently receiving treatment in the hospital after accidentally drinking a poisonous substance.
Instead of helping, the situation became far worse when palm oil was forced into the child’s mouth at home.
“There’s a child in the hospital right now suffering because their parents poured palm oil down their throat after they drank poison,” he explained, clearly distressed by the outcome.
Why Kerosene and Petrol Are Especially Dangerous
Dr. Egemba explained that substances like kerosene and petrol behave differently inside the body.
Unlike heavier liquids, they are light and slippery, which makes them extremely dangerous if they enter the lungs.
“Kerosene is light. Petrol is light. Those things are very slippery inside the stomach,” he said, noting that forcing liquids or inducing vomiting increases the risk of the poison going the wrong way.
How Home Remedies Can Send Poison to the Lungs
According to the doctor, when someone is forced to vomit or swallow palm oil, the poison can easily slip into the lungs instead of coming out.
This is exactly what happened in the child’s case.
The result is a severe condition known as chemical pneumonia, where toxic substances damage the lungs.
“That child is battling chemical pneumonia right now.
The kerosene entered the lungs, and the child is struggling to breathe,” Egemba revealed.
What Not to Do During a Poisoning Emergency
Dr. Egemba strongly advised against several common reactions that many people still rely on during emergencies.
“If someone drinks poison, don’t put your finger in their throat. Don’t make them vomit. Don’t give palm oil. Don’t give milk,” he warned.
He explained that vomiting can speed up deterioration by pushing the poison into the lungs, sometimes leading to death within a short time.
Why Doctors Prefer Observation Over Forced Treatment
In many poisoning cases, medical professionals choose to closely monitor breathing and treat the patient based on the specific substance involved.
Dr. Egemba stressed that rushing to give home remedies can interfere with proper medical care.
“Sometimes, doing nothing and taking the person straight to the hospital is better than forcing palm oil or charcoal down their throat,” he said.
A Message to Nollywood and Content Creators
Beyond homes and families, Dr. Egemba also directed his warning at the film industry.
He pointed out that movies often show palm oil as a lifesaving antidote, reinforcing dangerous myths.
“You have a responsibility to show the right thing,” he said, urging filmmakers to stop promoting harmful practices that viewers may copy in real life.
Choosing the Safer Option Going Forward
Dr. Egemba concluded by urging Nigerians to rethink what they consider “first aid” in poisoning cases.
While intentions may be good, unverified home remedies can make a bad situation deadly.
His advice is clear: when poisoning happens, skip the experiments and get to the hospital immediately.
Sometimes, the safest action is acting fast—and leaving the treatment to professionals.
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