Are Bath Color Tablets Safe?

What are bath color tablets?

Bath color tablets and colored bathtub fizzies are commercial and homemade products commonly put in bath water to change it to a variety of colors for children. They often add fizz and dissolve in the water. They come in different shapes and sizes, but typically resemble tablets, wafers or drops.

Are Crayola Bath Dropz toxic when ingested?

Crayola Bath Dropz are made with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) among other ingredients, which can be toxic depending on how much is ingested. Large amounts can cause stomach pain, drowsiness, and even seizures. Small amounts usually cause only nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The bath water itself is less harmful if swallowed, since the bath color tablet ingredients are diluted. It’s the sodium content of these bath products that we worry about most.

Can my child have an allergic reaction to bath color tablets?

It is possible to have an allergic reaction to bath color tablets. Many bath color tablet products are labeled as fragrance-free and non-toxic. Some products may contain preservatives, fragrances, and detergents. Children might experience irritation or allergic reactions since their skin is more delicate and sensitive than adult skin. Irritation can also occur in children who have skin conditions like eczema. It may be helpful to rinse the skin after bathing with bath color tablets to remove any residue from the product.

What should I do if my child eats bath color tablets?

If your child eats bath color tablets, rinse their mouth with water and give them small sips of water. Seek help from experts right away through the webPOISONCONTROL online tool and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. While many of these ingestions involve small amounts of little concern, Poison Control will determine whether the amount swallowed is worrisome and recommend treatment if needed. Poison Control’s expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. 

 

Arika Williams, PharmD, CSPI
Pharmacist and Certified Specialist in Poison Information

Poison Control Media Information

Did you find this page helpful? If so, we need your support. Poison Control is in constant competition with misinformation online. Links to www.poison.org or our webPOISONCONTROL triage tool from other websites and blogs help internet searchers quickly find accurate information and Poison Control’s contact information in an emergency. If you use the content from this page, please provide attribution via a link back to this page, www.poison.org, or https://triage.webpoisoncontrol.org/#!/exclusions. By doing so, you could save a life. Thank you!

Click here for Poison Control media contact information.