Essential oils are a natural part of many plants, and they can be useful for health and wellbeing. But, like all substances, they can also be toxic if not used correctly. They can cause a variety of side effects, including skin rash, respiratory irritation, and even chemical pneumonia, when ingested. Ingesting neat (undiluted) essential oils is especially dangerous.
This is why it’s important to store essential oils safely and keep them away from children and pets. It’s also important to know what to do if you or your pet has a reaction to an oil you use, so you can get emergency care right away.
A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia looked at calls to the state’s poison information center and found that cases involving essential oils had increased by about 16 percent over the past five years. This was mainly due to the popularity of aromatherapy and the use of oils for health benefits.
Most of the calls involving essential oils came from people who had accidentally ingested them or put them in the wrong areas. Inhaling the oils can lead to irritation of the nose and throat, and this may worsen in individuals with preexisting conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Essential oils can also be flammable and should never come into contact with candles or gas stoves.
Swallowing undiluted essential oil can result in symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Some essential oils, such as pennyroyal and wintergreen, are highly poisonous and can cause organ damage or death if swallowed. They can also cause aspiration pneumonia, which happens when someone tries to swallow something and chokes so that some of the oil slips into their lungs.
Putting essential oils in the eyes or ears can be harmful, too. Using them as perfumes or adding them to bath water can be particularly dangerous. Essential oils are also a known allergen, and anyone who has a history of allergies or sensitivities should be very cautious with them.
It is possible for dogs to ingest essential oils, and this can have severe consequences. If your dog ingests an essential oil, call your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline right away. Don’t induce vomiting, as this can make the problem much worse.
Essential oil poisoning symptoms vary by the type of oil and the amount ingested. Signs of drooling, respiratory, skin, and mucus membrane irritation typically develop within 6-8 hours after ingestion. Other signs, such as drowsiness, coma, and hallucinations, are more serious and take longer to resolve. This is why it’s so important to only use therapeutic-grade oils and follow the safety guidelines. It’s also a good idea to test any new oil on a small patch of skin before using it on larger areas. The best quality oils will have only vegetable oil added as a carrier, and no other ingredients. If you’re unsure, choose a different brand or go with a certified organic one.
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