Definition

This is poisoning from swallowing a large amount of eugenol oil (clove oil).

Alternative Names

Clove oil overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Eugenol

Where Found

  • Some toothache medications
  • Food flavorings
  • Clove-cigarettes
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Lungs

  • Breathing - shallow
  • Breathing - rapid 
  • Coughing up blood

Bladder and kidneys

Eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth

  • Burns in mouth and throat

Skin

  • Redness and swelling where it touched the skin

Gastrointestinal

Heart and blood

Nervous system

Home Treatment

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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

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 U.S. 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.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

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:

  • Fluids
  • Medicines to treat symptoms
  • Treatment to cause vomiting  -- must be done very carefully so patient will not inhale any of the oil. This is best left to health care providers at an emergency room.
  • Activated charcoal
  • Give milk.
  • Endoscopy if there is evidence of burns to the throat.

Expectations (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.

Review Date:3/18/2006
Reviewed By: Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.