ADAM Health Encyclopedia

Eugenol oil overdose

Definition

Eugenol oil (clove oil) overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows a large amount of a product containing this ingredient.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

Eugenol

Where Found

• Some toothache medications
• Food flavorings
• Clove-cigarettes

Symptoms

• Airways and lungs
  • Breathing - shallow
  • Breathing - rapid
  • Coughing up blood
• Bladder and kidneys
  • Blood in the urine
  • No urine output
  • Pain when you urinate
• Eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth
  • Burns in mouth and throat
• Gastrointestinal system
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Liver failure (especially in children)
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood
  • Rapid heartbeat
• Nervous system
  • Coma
  • Dizziness
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness

Home Care

Seek immediate emergency help. DO NOT make the person throw up unless told to do so by a doctor or poison control center.

If the product touched the skin, clean the area with soap and water.

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

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 United States 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.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

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:

• Breathing tube
• Camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach (endoscopy)
• Fluids
• Milk
• Tube thru the nose into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis)

Survival past 48 hours is usually a good sign that recovery will occur. If any damage to the kidneys or throat has occurred, it may take several months to heal.