What Are Water Beads?
Water beads, also known as gel beads or jelly beads, are popular toys for children. They are colorful, small balls made of gel-like materials. The beads are about the size of a marble. After exposure to liquid, such as water, the beads expand. Jumbo water beads can grow to be the size of a tennis ball.
Unfortunately, the beads pose serious health risks. They can be swallowed, inhaled or pushed into other openings of the body, causing health problems.
Sometimes adults bring water beads into their home without knowing it. They have been found in science or sensory activity kits, in addition to being sold separately. The low cost of water beads makes them an attractive toy option. For example, 50,000 beads can be purchased through popular online retailers for less than $10.
How Do Water Beads Work?
How They Expand
When the polymers are exposed to liquid, they absorb large amounts of the liquid without dissolving. This is how they expand. Some water beads can expand up to 1,500 times their original size.
Toxic Ingredients
The beads are made from superabsorbent polymers, which are often composed of:
- Petroleum products
- Polyacrylate
- Other acrylics
Some polymer materials are known toxins. This is confusing because many water bead products are labeled non-toxic.
Some children who have swallowed the beads have been diagnosed with toxic encephalopathy and other neurological disorders.
What Are the Dangers Associated with Water Beads?
The small beads are easily swallowed, inhaled or inserted into other areas of the body, such as the nose or ears. Once the beads are exposed to saliva, stomach acid or other liquid, they expand in the body.
Due to their gel-like consistency, it is often difficult to move the beads through the body. The longer they remain, the larger they grow.
The size of the beads makes them easy to lose in carpet or under furniture. Smaller children can easily find the beads and swallow them, even if adults watched their children when they played with the products.
Symptoms of Water Bead Ingestion
Unfortunately, the symptoms of water bead ingestion may be very similar to other conditions.
If your child has any of the following symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.
- Gastrointestinal issues: nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea
- Unexplained skin rash
- Weight loss with normal appetite
- Change in motor skills: walking, sitting, standing, etc.
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Any new or concerning symptoms
How to Diagnose Water Bead Ingestion
The beads are very difficult to see on traditional X-rays. They are malleable, taking the shape and form of the organ or part of the body where they are located.
Sometimes additional diagnostic tools may be needed to see the ingested water beads, such as CT scans or scans using contrast. Children may require surgery to remove the beads from their body.
What to Do If Your Child Swallowed a Water Bead
If you suspect your child ingested a water bead, take them to the nearest emergency room. Tell medical professionals that you have water beads in the home. This can save time as physicians look for clues to what may be causing symptoms in their child.
How Can Caregivers Avoid Hazardous Water Beads?
- Remove water beads from your home.
- Do not flush or wash the beads down the sink. The beads expand in liquid and can cause plumbing problems.
- Water beads can be bagged and thrown out with household garbage.
- Talk to the parents of your children’s friends.
- Similar to other questions you may ask if your child will be in someone else’s home, it is important to ask if there are water beads in friends’ homes.
- Talk to your child’s daycare and school.
- Ask your child’s daycare and school to remove water beads from play areas as well as arts and crafts spaces.
- Talk with your child’s therapist if they use them as a therapeutic tool.
- If you child receives therapy, ask your therapist to not use water beads with your child.
- Spread the word.
- Share information about the dangers of water beads with other parents.