Vitamins are usually associated with health benefits, but certain vitamins can actually cause health problems if they are taken in high doses. Children are particularly susceptible to vitamin toxicity because of their small body size. If fact, an overdose of iron found in multivitamins is one of the leading causes of poisoning deaths in children under the age of six, reports the University of Texas, Southwest. Vitamin toxicity can cause a wide range of symptoms. If you suspect your child has vitamin poisoning, you should call your doctor immediately.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are often the first signs of a vitamin overdose, and are often accompanied by appetite loss and stomach pain, explains Medline Plus. Diarrhea may also occur, although overdoses of iron can result in constipation.
Headache
Vitamin overdoses can also cause neurological symptoms, such as headache, irritability, confusion or mood swings, explains Colorado State University. Fainting and fatigue may also occur. Certain children may experience convulsion or seizures after ingesting too many vitamins. In some cases, blurred vision or increased sensitivity to light may also develop.
Skin changes
Certain vitamins, such as B3, may cause the skin to flush a bright red color. Other vitamins can cause cause an itching or burning sensation, and may result in a rash. The skin may become very dry and cracked, and areas of yellow or orange colored skin may develop.
Additional Symptoms
Excess vitamin intake can affect the heartbeat, causing either a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Another possible symptom of vitamin toxicity is the frequent need to urinate or increased urine output. In some cases, thre urine may become cloudy in appearance. Pain in the bones, joints or muscles can also be a symptom of vitamin overdose.
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