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What to Do If Someone Drinks Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tree oil is used to treat all kinds of conditions, including toenail fungus, acne and dandruff. But every condition that tea tree oil is said to cure is a topical ailment. Tea tree oil is not used to treat internal problems because it is poisonous when ingested. If someone you know drinks tea tree oil, it is imperative that you call Poison Control right away.

  1. Call the Poison Help Hotline

    • If you become aware that someone has swallowed tea tree oil, immediately dial 1-800-222-1222 to reach the Poison Help Hotline. The answering operator will likely ask a few questions to fully understand the situation. For example, she may want to know the age of the person who ingested the tea tree oil and how much was consumed. Keeping in mind that the person is trained to help you handle this issue, it is important to listen carefully to the instructions provided.

    If You Can't Call

    • If you do not have access to a telephone, remain calm and do not induce vomiting. According to a pamphlet released by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, you should encourage the person to drink a small amount of milk or water. Immediately drive the person to the nearest hospital. If the person starts to exhibit unusual symptoms or signs of toxicity that make it impossible to transport him, drive to the nearest store or gas station and call 911 to request an ambulance.

    How Much Is Too Much?

    • A report generated by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products for a meeting in December 2004 lists a few specific examples of humans being poisoned by tea tree oil. One 17-month-old child suffered from lack of muscle coordination and drowsiness after drinking less than one tablespoon of tea tree oil. In another instance, a 60-year-old swallowed half a teaspoon of tea tree oil and developed a rash along with an abnormally high white blood cell count. In the most extreme case, a person who ingested half a cup of tea tree oil slipped into a coma for 12 hours. There is no way to tell exactly how much is too much, but it is obvious that, even in small doses, tea tree oil can be hazardous to your health.

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