Essential oils are a great way to improve your health, but like anything else, they can be harmful if you take too much. So, how do you know you have taken too much or which symptoms should you look out for?
In this blog post, we will discuss the symptoms of essential oil overdose and how to tell if you’ve had too much.
Knowing which overdose symptoms to look out for can be the difference between a minor essential oil mishap and a serious health issue.
While it can be hard to know how much is too much essential oil, there are some general guidelines you can follow.
For example, if you’re using essential oil for the first time, it’s always best to start with a lower dose and increase gradually as needed.
Furthermore, essential oils should always be diluted before use. This is because undiluted essential oils can be very concentrated and may cause skin irritation, among other things.
So, what are some essential oil overdose symptoms to look out for?
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are natural, concentrated oils that have a strong aroma. They are extracted from plants and have been used for centuries in various cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic properties.
There are many different essential oils available on the market, each with its own unique benefits. Some of the most popular essential oils include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil.
Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways, depending on what you’re looking to use them for. From making perfumes and soaps to alleviating anxiety and aiding in digestion, essential oils have a wide range of uses.
One big challenge with essential oils is that they are very potent and concentrated. This means that it’s easy to use too much essential oil, especially if you’re new to using them.
Essential Oil Overdose Symptoms:
Diluted essential oils are generally safe to use, but if you use too much essential oil, you may experience some adverse effects.
A recent analysis by the University of Maryland showed that essential oil overdoses are on the rise. This is especially true for children and infants, who are more susceptible to essential oil toxicity.
Essential oil overdose symptoms can vary from mild to severe depending on the essential oil used, but some common symptoms include:
1: Nausea and Vomiting
If you’ve been using too much essential oils, you may start to feel nauseous and vomit or have diarrhea. This is because essential oils can be very irritating to the stomach lining.
When using essential oils, it’s important to drink plenty of water to help flush them out of your system.
If you start to experience nausea or vomiting, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. This is because essential oil toxicity can lead to dehydration, which can be very dangerous.
Dehydration can cause a number of serious health problems, including kidney failure.
Therefore, it’s essential to seek medical help if you overuse essential oils and start to feel nauseous or vomit.
Read: Can you put essential oils in your nose?
2: Burning Sensation
Another common essential oil overdose symptom is a burning sensation. This can occur when essential oils are applied directly to the skin or ingested.
Essential oils can be very irritating to the mucous membranes, so it’s important to be careful when using them.
The burning sensation is usually accompanied by redness and swelling. While it might seem like a good idea to put essential oils on a burn, it’s actually not.
This is because essential oils can further irritate the skin and make the burning sensation worse.
If you notice this burning sensation, it’s important to immediately stop using essential oils.
You should also seek medical attention if the burning sensation is severe. Severe burns can lead to scarring and other serious health problems.
Read: Aromatherapy for anxiety
3: Dizziness And Lightheadedness
Dizziness and lightheadedness are another common essential oil overdose symptoms. This is because essential oils can cause your blood pressure to drop.
When this happens, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded. You might also feel faint or have trouble breathing.
If you start to feel dizzy or lightheaded after using essential oils, it’s important to sit down and drink plenty of water. Try also to avoid standing up too quickly. If the dizziness persists, it’s important to seek medical attention.
In severe cases, dizziness can lead to fainting, which can be dangerous. So be on the lookout for this essential oil overdose symptom.
4: Rashes And Hives
Another essential oil overdose symptom is a rash or hives. This can occur when essential oils are applied to the skin or ingested.
Essential oils can be very irritating to the skin, so it’s important to be careful when using them.
Rashes and hives can be very itchy and uncomfortable. If you start to experience this essential oil overdose symptom, it’s important to stop using essential oils and seek medical attention.
In severe cases, rashes and hives can lead to anaphylactic shock, which is a life-threatening condition. So it’s essential to seek medical help if you experience this essential oil overdose symptom.
Read: What attracts stink bugs and how to get rid of them?
Frequently Asked Questions on Essential Oil Overdose
How much essential oil is toxic to humans?
The amount of essential oil that is toxic to humans varies depending on the essential oil used. Some essential oils are more toxic than others. It’s important to be know the toxicity of the essential oils you’re using.
How long does it take for essential oils to leave your system?
The time it takes for essential oils to leave your system depends on how much you’ve used. If you’ve only used a small amount, it should only take a few hours for the essential oil to be out of your system. However, if you’ve used a large amount, it could take days or even weeks for the essential oil to be completely out of your system.
Can you get sick from essential oils?
Yes, you can get sick from essential oils. Essential oils can be very toxic if they’re used in large amounts. If you start to experience essential oil overdose symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
essential oils are generally safe to use, but it’s important to be aware of the potential risks. If you experience any essential oil overdose symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately.
Remember, essential oils are powerful and should be used with care. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label and only use essential oils as directed.