Boxing Day is for leftovers, visits, and more enjoyment after Christmas. But for many families, it’s also the peak time for food poisoning, especially after eating reheated or poorly stored food. The good news? Food poisoning is usually not serious and most people recover within a few days to one week.
Here’s what every Nigerian household in the UK should know 👇🏾
Common Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Symptoms can begin a few hours to a few days after eating contaminated food (sometimes even weeks later).
Watch out for:
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach (tummy) pain or cramps
- Fever or high temperature
- General weakness or feeling unwell
How to Treat Food Poisoning at Home
Most cases can be safely managed at home.
✅ Do This
- Stay at home and rest
- Drink plenty of fluids (water or diluted squash) – take small sips if nauseous
- Continue breastfeeding or bottle-feeding babies (smaller, more frequent feeds if needed)
- Give babies on solids small sips of water between feeds
- Eat light foods when you feel able (avoid oily, spicy foods)
- Use paracetamol for pain or fever (check dosage, especially for children)
❌ Avoid This
- Avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks – they can worsen diarrhoea
- Do not dilute baby formula
- Do not give anti-diarrhoea medicine to children under 12
- Do not give aspirin to children under 16
When a Pharmacist Can Help
Speak to a pharmacist if:
- You or your child (over 5) shows signs of dehydration (dark urine, peeing less often)
- You’re elderly, immunocompromised, or have long-term health conditions
- You need to stop diarrhoea briefly (for travel or work)
They may recommend:
- Oral rehydration salts (ORS)
- Short-term anti-diarrhoea medication like loperamide (adults only)
🚨 Call NHS 111 Urgently If:
- You’re worried about a baby under 12 months
- A baby stops feeding
- A child under 5 has fewer wet nappies
- Vomiting or diarrhoea continues despite rehydration
- There’s blood in diarrhoea
- Diarrhoea lasts more than 7 days or vomiting more than 2 days
📞 NHS 111 is free and available 24/7.
🚑 Go to A&E or Call 999 Immediately If:
- Vomiting blood or vomit looks like coffee grounds
- Severe or sudden tummy pain
- Green or yellow-green vomit (especially in children)
- Difficulty breathing, confusion, or collapse
- Blue, pale, grey or blotchy skin (check palms/soles on darker skin)
⚠️ Do not drive yourself to A&E. Call 999 or get help.
Why Food Poisoning Happens (Especially After Christmas)
Food poisoning is caused by germs in contaminated food. This can happen when food is:
- Not cooked or reheated properly
- Left out too long after Christmas dinner
- Stored incorrectly in the fridge/freezer
- Handled without proper handwashing
- Eaten after the “use by” date
Leftover rice, meat, stews, soups, and party food are common culprits.
Boxing Day Safety Tips for Nigerian Homes
- Reheat food until steaming hot
- Don’t reheat food more than once
- Store leftovers in the fridge within 2 hours
- When in doubt, throw it out
- Wash hands before handling food
Final Word from Naija UK Connect
Enjoy your Boxing Day celebrations, but protect your health and your family’s wellbeing. Many food poisoning cases happen this time of year—and most are preventable with good food hygiene.
🔗 For more guidance, visit the UK Food Standards Agency or NHS website.
Stay safe, stay hydrated, and enjoy the rest of the festive season 🇳🇬🇬🇧✨
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