Eucalyptus Oil Poisoning Treated by Dialysis and Mannitol Infusion

Abstract

SUMMARY Oil of eucalyptus is a toxic substance capable of producing severe cardio‐vascular, respiratory and central nervous system manifestations after ingestion by an adult of as little as 4 ml. The literature describing this substance as a poison is reviewed, and a case of severe intoxication with prolonged coma is reported. Successful management of this case included the use of mannitol, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, and the contribution of these measures to the treatment of poisoning is discussed. The effective removal of eucalyptol by dialysis suggests the application of this form of therapy to poisoning by other volatile oils.

Eucalyptus Oil ( Eucalyptus Species)

“…Central nervous system symptoms include lightheadedness, slurred speech, ataxia, headache, and drowsiness. 22 More severe ingestions involve obtundation, coma, convulsions, hypotension, and respiratory distress. 16 Cutaneous reactions following the ingestion of eucalyptus oil include generalized erythema, pruritus, urticaria, eczema, and vesicular lesions.…”