Essential Oil Poisoning: What to Do First
What to do first if a child or adult swallows an essential oil or gets one in the eyes or lungs, in plain steps, with US Poison Help and 911, and what poison centers say.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
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Do this first
- Call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222 (US). Poison Control says expert guidance, online or by phone, is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day. [1] The US National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus likewise says to call your local poison control center at that number right away if you suspect poisoning. [2]
- Call 911 if the person collapses, cannot be woken, has a seizure, or has trouble breathing. The UK NHS lists the same warning signs for any poisoning: loss of consciousness, stopped breathing, severe difficulty breathing or a seizure. [3]
- Do not try to make the person vomit. The NHS says this can cause choking and stopped breathing, and also says not to give anything to eat or drink. [3] Poison Control warns that if someone tries to swallow an oil but chokes, some can enter the lungs and cause pneumonia. [1]
- Keep the bottle or product, and take it with you to show the doctors. [3] The call handler will ask what the product was. See What to Tell Poison Help When You Call.
For general poisoning steps and other countries, see Poisoning: What to Do First and Poison Help by Country. If an animal is involved, see Essential Oils and Pets.
Why this is taken seriously
Poison Control says misuse of essential oils can cause serious poisoning, and that children have thin skin and immature livers that might make them more susceptible to toxic effects. [1] Symptoms depend on the oil and may take a few hours or days to start, according to the NHS, so waiting to see if someone feels fine is not a safe plan. [3]
What case reports describe
These are published reports, not a forecast for any one person.
| Oil | What was reported | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) | A 23-month-old became confused and unable to walk 30 minutes after swallowing under 10 mL of a 100% product; he was symptom-free within 5 hours. [4] A 17-month-old swallowed under 10 mL and developed ataxia (unsteady movement) and drowsiness. [5] | Poison center and hospital case reports, 1994 and 1995 |
| Camphor | Three children aged 15 to 36 months had seizures; two swallowed camphor and one was rubbed repeatedly with it on the skin. All needed drugs to stop the seizures. [6] | Pediatrics, 2009 |
| Lavender extract | An 18-month-old swallowed a small amount of a home fragrance and was very drowsy and confused for hours, then recovered. [1] | Poison Control case summary |
Poison Control also says swallowed pennyroyal oil is highly poisonous to the liver, wintergreen oil is very dangerous if more than a tiny amount is swallowed, and eucalyptus oil can cause seizures if swallowed. [1] Camphor is dangerous even in a small amount swallowed. [1] See Camphor Oil: Why It Can Be Dangerous and Pennyroyal Oil: Why It Is Dangerous.
Skin, eyes and breathing
- Skin: Poison Control says to stop using a product immediately if a rash or other skin reaction occurs and to gently wash it off. [1]
- Allergic reaction with breathing difficulty: Poison Control says to treat it as a medical emergency. [1] See Severe Allergic Reactions to Natural Products.
- Eyes, nose, ears and other mucous membranes: Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for first-aid steps for eyes. We searched Poison Control, NCCIH, the NHS poisoning page and MedlinePlus. Call Poison Help and follow their directions. See Essential Oils and the Eyes, Ears and Mucous Membranes.
Prevention, as poison centers describe it
Poison Control suggests that households with young children consider discarding essential oil bottles safely, and otherwise lock them away, out of sight and reach of children and pets. [1] Reed diffuser liquid, it adds, is an essential oil in rubbing alcohol and must be kept away from children. [1] More in Essential Oil Fire Hazards and Safe Storage.
Frequently asked questions
What number do I call in the US?
Poison Help, 1-800-222-1222, for any swallowed essential oil or product containing one. Use 911 for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing. [1][2]
Should I make my child vomit?
No. The NHS advises against trying to make someone sick after they swallow something harmful, because they could choke. [3]
Will a small taste cause harm?
It depends on the oil and the person. Case reports describe serious effects in toddlers after small amounts of tea tree oil, camphor and lavender extract. [4][6][1] Call and ask.
Is a skin rash a poisoning emergency?
Usually it is a skin reaction. Wash the area and stop the product; see a clinician if it persists. [1][7] Swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing is an emergency. [1]
Do vaporizers and diffusers cause poisoning?
Poison Control says vaporizer products meant for the purpose, used as directed, are usually safe. [1] It does not say the same for swallowing diffuser liquid. For breathing questions see Essential Oils, Diffusers and Breathing Problems.
References
- Essential oils: Poisonous when misused, Poison Control (US). Read 2026-10-23.
- Poisoning, MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Read 2026-10-23.
- Poisoning, NHS (UK), page last reviewed 12 June 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Melaleuca oil poisoning, Jacobs MR, Hornfeldt CS, J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1994, PMID 8057407. Read 2026-10-23.
- Melaleuca oil poisoning in a 17-month-old, Del Beccaro MA, Vet Hum Toxicol 1995, PMID 8588296. Read 2026-10-23.
- A cluster of children with seizures caused by camphor poisoning, Khine H et al., Pediatrics 2009, PMID 19403490. Read 2026-10-23.
- Contact dermatitis, NHS (UK), page last reviewed 03 May 2023. Read 2026-10-23.