Cedar leaf oil
Key points
- Cedar leaf oil is an oil found in some furniture polishes.
- Home Treatment Seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Poison Control, or a local emergency number See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses.
- Extensive damage to the lungs and kidneys may occur.
Definition
Cedar leaf oil is an oil found in some furniture polishes. It may taste sweet and therefore be ingested by small children. It can potentially be a toxic ingestion, so medical care should be sought immediately.
Poisonous Ingredient
- hydrocarbon
Where Found
- some furniture polishes
Symptoms
- Respiratory
o Breathing difficulty (from inhalation)
o Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty) - Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
o Severe pain in the throat
o Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
o Loss of vision - Gastrointestinal
o Severe abdominal pain
o Vomiting
o Burns of the esophagus (food pipe)
o Vomiting blood
o Blood in the stool - Heart and blood vessels
o Hypotension (low blood pressure) develops rapidly
o Collapse - Skin
o Irritation
o Burn
o Necrosis (holes) in the skin or underlying tissues
Home Treatment
Seek emergency medical care immediately. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Call Poison Control.
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
- the patient's age, weight, and condition
- the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
- the time it was swallowed
- the amount swallowed
Poison Control, or a local emergency number
See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.
What to expect at the emergency room
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
- For swallowed poison
o Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach
o Activated charcoal administrationo Endoscopy - the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomacho Give IV fluidso Admission to the hospitalo Give an antidoteo Treat the symptoms
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.