Ingesting oil can lead to a range of health effects, varying significantly based on the type and amount consumed. Common cooking oils might cause mild digestive upset, while industrial or highly concentrated essential oils can pose serious health risks, including severe toxicity or even fatality.
General Effects of Ingesting Common Oils
Ingesting common edible oils, such as olive, vegetable, or canola oil, typically results in gastrointestinal symptoms. The human digestive system is not designed to process large quantities of pure fat at once, leading to nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. The laxative effect is a prominent outcome, as the body cannot fully absorb a large influx of fat, causing unabsorbed oil to accelerate bowel movements. While generally not life-threatening for healthy adults, these effects can be uncomfortable and lead to temporary dehydration if diarrhea is severe. Mineral oil, often used as a laxative, similarly causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Specific Dangers by Oil Type
The dangers associated with oil ingestion escalate dramatically depending on the oil’s chemical composition. Different types of oils present distinct and often severe health hazards.
Hydrocarbon-Based Oils
Hydrocarbon-based oils, such as gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, and paint thinners, primarily risk aspiration. Their low viscosity and high volatility allow them to easily enter the lungs, even if swallowed. If aspirated, they can cause chemical pneumonitis, a severe lung inflammation, with symptoms like coughing, choking, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. Even small amounts can lead to serious respiratory distress, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), or death. Systemic absorption can also cause central nervous system depression, seizures, or coma.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts and can be very toxic if ingested, even in small quantities. For instance, as little as 2-3 mL of some essential oils can cause toxicity in children. Wintergreen oil (methyl salicylate) is particularly dangerous; a single teaspoon (5 mL) contains an amount of salicylate equivalent to nearly twenty 300 mg aspirin tablets, and as little as 4 mL can be fatal to small children. Ingesting essential oils can cause mucous membrane irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. More severe effects include central nervous system depression, seizures, and liver or kidney damage. Tea tree oil ingestion has been linked to confusion, loss of coordination, and even coma. Camphor oil can also cause seizures rapidly after ingestion.
Other Non-Food Oils
Other non-food oils, such as industrial lubricants or paint thinners, contain various chemicals that are acutely toxic. Ingesting these substances can lead to systemic poisoning, affecting multiple organ systems throughout the body. The specific effects depend on the exact chemical composition, but they often involve severe irritation to the digestive tract, central nervous system effects, and potential damage to organs like the liver or kidneys.
When to Seek Help and What to Do
Prompt action is crucial if someone has ingested oil, especially if it is not a common cooking oil or if symptoms are severe. It is important to call emergency services or a poison control center immediately, providing details such as the type of oil, the estimated amount ingested, and the person’s age, weight, and current symptoms. In the United States, the national toll-free Poison Help hotline is 1-800-222-1222. If the person collapses, has a seizure, experiences difficulty breathing, or cannot be awakened, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
Never induce vomiting, particularly if a hydrocarbon-based oil was ingested. Inducing vomiting significantly increases the risk of aspirating the oil into the lungs, which can lead to severe chemical pneumonitis, a more dangerous condition than ingestion alone. Activated charcoal is generally not recommended unless specifically advised by poison control, as it has limited effectiveness for oils and can also increase aspiration risk.
While awaiting professional medical advice, rinse the person’s mouth with water. If conscious and able to swallow, small sips of water can be offered to help dilute any remaining oil. Remove any contaminated clothing and wash affected skin thoroughly with soap and water. At a medical facility, evaluations may include physical examination, chest X-rays, and blood tests to assess for systemic toxicity. Treatment is primarily supportive, focusing on managing symptoms and providing oxygen or ventilation if respiratory distress occurs.