This is poisoning from swallowing a large amount of peppermint oil.
Where Found: Peppermint oil is used as a flavoring agent in various products. It is also used:
- As�a germ-killing� (antiseptic) product
- As an anesthetic (numbing) product
- In herbal medicine to relieve spasms
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Symptoms: - Lungs
- Gastrointestinal
- Heart and blood
- Nervous system
Home Treatment: DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional. Seek immediate medical help.
Before Calling Emergency: Determine the following information:
- Patient's age, weight, and condition
- Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
- Time it was swallowed
- Amount swallowed
Poison Control, or a local emergency number: The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.
See National Poison Control center.
What to expect at the emergency room: The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:
- Fluids
- Medicines to treat symptoms
- A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
Expectations (prognosis): Survival past 48 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will occur. If damage to the kidneys has occurred, it may take several months to heal.
