Ingestion of tea tree oil (Melaleuca oil) by a 4-year-old boy.
A 4-year-old boy ingested a small quantity of tea tree oil. Within 30 minutes, he became ataxic and shortly thereafter progressed to unresponsiveness; he was endotracheally intubated by paramedics. His neurologic status improved gradually over 10 hours, and he remains well on follow-up. Tea tree oil is an increasingly popular topical antiseptic that is available in a wide variety of products, often without warning labels. Healthcare providers should be aware of the common uses of tea tree oil, as well as its potential toxicity.
Morris
Marilyn C
MC
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. morrisma@email.chop.edu
Donoghue
Aaron
A
Markowitz
Jennifer A
JA
Osterhoudt
Kevin C
KC
D000061:Accidents, Home; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003128:Coma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003221:Confusion / Q000139:chemically induced; D003422:Critical Care; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D004630:Emergencies; D005751:Gastric Lavage; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000506:poisoning*
D020947:Tea Tree Oil