Why is eucalyptus oil bad for babies

Aromatherapy products are also available as lotions and soaps. Essential oils are now big business. In the past year alone, U. Because essential oils are so varied, there are differences in the types of risks they pose. A particular oil may be safe and beneficial for one use and absolutely unsafe for another. For instance, cumin oil is safe in food, but if applied to the skin it can cause blistering.

Also, certain citrus oils in cosmetics may be harmful, says the FDA website. This is also true when certain oils are applied to the skin followed by sun exposure. On the other hand, several oils are safe for external application but should never be ingested. Some rub-on creams can make a person ill if consumed internally. WebMD reported last year that a growing number of people are turning up with chemical burns, allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and other side effects from the popular fragrant plant extracts.

Highly toxic essential oils, which should used with care, include camphor, clove, lavender, eucalyptus, thyme, tea tree, and wintergreen oils, according to a WebMD article. The risk to children is much greater than to adults. For one thing, the tempting sweet smells of some products may attract kids, who are not always careful about what they put in their mouths.

Pediatricians are concerned that Georgia consumers may be unaware of the many potential dangers to children from essential oils. The most recent Poison Center data on call volumes showed more than calls about essential oils during the month period, he says.

Even after that, many oils are still unsafe for infants and toddlers. Pregnant women should also consider the risks of using certain oils. About three-quarters of all the questions about essential oils that the Georgia Poison Center fielded were concerned with children under age 12, Lopez says. Many of those cases involved children under age 5, he adds. As a family nurse practitioner with Tift Regional Health System in South Georgia, Kelly Grummer-Smith says she has spoken to a lot of patients who are misinformed about essential oils.

But she says she began to worry when she realized that patients were using such oils on children when the children were too young. This is a dangerous issue particularly in atopic babies and children who have asthma. Vapour rubs such as Vicks, containing camphor, menthol and eucalyptus oil are a common treatment for colds and are applied to the neck and chest area.

In the one large randomised controlled trial the actual harm of this treatment appeared to outweigh its benefits. No effect was found on alleviating runny noses.

Scores for cough frequency and severity were improved compared with no treatment. And scores for child and parental sleep were both significantly improved. Rubin et al, a research scientist decided to investigate Vicks vapour rub salve after they treated a baby that was admitted to the emergency room with severe respiratory distress following the application of Vicks directly under her nose.

They examined the effect of the product on ferrets because their airway structure is similar to humans both in anatomical structure and cellular composition. The researchers tested the product on healthy ferrets and ferrets with tracheal airway inflammation, similar to a person with a chest infection.

They measured how much mucus was secreted and collected in the airways, and how much fluid gathered in the lungs. The results showed that not only did Vicks increase the rate of mucus secretion, in both normal and inflamed airways, it also reduced the rate at which the mucous cleared from the airways. The findings confirm the product labelling stating clearly it should not be used on children under 2 years old.

However many parents continue to use it on their babies and toddlers, rubbing it into their feet and chest, said Rubin. Eucalyptus is a natural expectorant commonly used in helping unclog respiratory congestion.

Making Eucalyptus a go-to favourite during the cold winter months. When using eucalyptus it is most important you know which TYPE of eucalyptus essential oil-based product you are using. While it is true that eucalyptus oil has many beneficial properties, using eucalyptus oil for a baby suffering from cold may be unsafe because of the following reasons:.

Eucalyptus oil may have very high cineole content which can lead to breathing problems and nervous system issues in young children. The amount of cineole will depend on the chemotype or the species of the plant. Even if the variety of essential oil you use does not have high cineole content, it may still have compounds that can harm children. Eucalyptus oil, if ingested, can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, and other side effects like breathing problems and wheezing.

Its application may also lead to extreme cases of coma and seizures. Plus, you should also know what type of eucalyptus oil is safe for babies. You should avoid using Eucalyptus globulus for children, as it is not safe for kids under the age of 2. Eucalyptus radiata can be used, but even this should be used only after consulting with a paediatrician. To use eucalyptus oil for a cold, put two drops of the oil on a tissue or cotton ball and keep it at a safe distance from your baby.

The rising steam releases the essential oil and can provide comfort to your baby. Although eucalyptus oil may be used with some precautions, it is still not recommended for babies because of its side effects.

So here are some alternative methods you can try instead of using eucalyptus oil. Instead of using any essential oil for treating congestion, you can follow the methods mentioned below to put your baby to ease. These include the following:. Take a small cotton cloth dipped in hot water and squeeze out the excess water.

Apply the hot water compress on the affected area to treat congestion. Furthermore, the cloth should be warm or else your baby may get hurt. No doubt, eucalyptus oil offers a number of benefits, but it is not suitable for children, particularly for kids who are below 10 years of age. Using eucalyptus oil on babies can lead to side effects, which could range from mild to severe.

If you do use eucalyptus oil on your baby, and he experiences any breathing difficulties after inhaling the oil, consult a doctor immediately.

Even the diluted eucalyptus oil can harm the baby. Remember: eucalyptus oil is not safe for babies.