Anisha Riggs
While rare, drinking perfume can be harmful to your health. Immediate, irreversible damage caused by one-time use is uncommon, but exposure to topical fragrances can trigger allergies and skin sensitivities and cause harm over time. Most perfumes contain high amounts of ethanol, which can be especially dangerous for children. If ingested, perfumes can cause intoxication and even alcohol poisoning, as they often contain over 170 proof of alcohol. In addition, toxic alcohols found in perfumes, such as those in windscreen washer fluid, can lead to harmful effects like muscle cramping, nausea, and abdominal issues. It is important to keep fragrance products out of the reach of children and to seek medical attention if ingestion occurs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can drinking perfume harm you? | Yes, it can harm you. |
| How harmful is it? | It can cause intoxication, nausea, vomiting, confusion, hives or boils, higher body temperature, seizures, and even death. |
| How common is perfume poisoning? | It is rare. |
| What to do if someone has ingested perfume? | Give them a light snack to prevent their blood sugar from dropping. Call Poison Control or a poison control center at 800-222-1222, or call a pediatrician. |
| Why does perfume cause harm? | Perfumes contain toxic ingredients, including high amounts of ethanol (alcohol), which can be especially dangerous if ingested, especially for children. |
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What You'll Learn
Perfume poisoning is rare but dangerous
While perfume poisoning is rare, it can be dangerous. Perfumes are generally made with a mix of isopropyl alcohol, essential oils, and water-soluble ingredients. The most well-known ingredient is alcohol, which is often used to preserve the scent of the perfume. However, other ingredients may be harmful to your health, especially if ingested.
Perfumes can be alluring, especially to small children, due to their sweet smell and attractive packaging. If ingested, perfumes can cause serious harm, as they often contain toxic alcohols similar to those found in windscreen washer fluid. The amount of alcohol ingested is crucial, as a small amount is unlikely to cause significant harm, but a teaspoon or more can be dangerous, especially for children. In such cases, it is recommended to contact a poison control center or a medical professional immediately. While waiting for assistance, providing the affected individual with a small, carb- or sugar-heavy snack can help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent a dangerous drop.
Symptoms of perfume poisoning can include muscle cramping, nausea, abdominal pain, increased body temperature, hives or boils, confusion, and vomiting. In severe cases, perfume ingestion can even lead to seizures or loss of consciousness. It is important to note that the effects of perfume ingestion can vary depending on the specific ingredients in the perfume and the amount ingested.
In addition to the immediate health risks, there are also potential long-term consequences associated with exposure to fragrance products. Fragrances can trigger allergies, skin sensitivities, and other adverse reactions. A study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that only 34% of stock ingredients often found in fragrances have been tested for toxicity. This lack of transparency makes it challenging to determine the full extent of the potential dangers posed by perfume ingestion.
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Alcohol content can cause intoxication and poisoning
The alcohol content in perfumes can cause intoxication and poisoning. Perfumes are generally made with a mix of isopropyl alcohol, essential oils, and water-soluble ingredients. The alcohol in perfumes is often used to keep the fragrance stable and maintain its smell.
The alcohol content in perfumes is usually very high, with most perfumes being over 170 proof, which can easily cause alcohol poisoning if consumed. The high alcohol content in perfumes can cause serious effects, especially in children. If a child ingests perfume, it is important to contact a poison control center or a doctor immediately. While rare, perfume poisoning can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
The alcohol in perfumes is often denatured, which means it has a bitter-tasting chemical added to it to make it unpleasant to drink. However, this does not stop everyone from consuming it. Some people with alcohol addiction may drink perfume out of desperation or as a substitute for alcohol. In some cases, people have reported tasting perfume accidentally due to a rogue spray or while applying it.
The effects of drinking perfume can vary and depend on the amount consumed and the individual's tolerance. It can cause intoxication, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures or loss of consciousness. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if any symptoms of perfume poisoning are observed, as overnight hospitalization may be required.
To prevent accidental ingestion, especially by children, it is crucial to keep fragrance products out of reach and not to apply them in front of young children. If a child ingests perfume, it is important to give them a light snack to prevent their blood sugar from dropping and seek medical guidance immediately.
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Toxic alcohols can cause seizures and vomiting
While rare, perfume ingestion can cause serious harm to the body. Most perfumes contain high amounts of ethanol, which can be dangerous, especially for children. If a child ingests a teaspoon or more of perfume, it is important to contact a poison control centre or a doctor immediately. In the meantime, give the child a small, carb- or sugar-heavy snack to prevent their blood sugar from dropping to dangerous levels.
Perfumes also contain toxic alcohols, which can cause seizures and vomiting. While small amounts of alcohol do not cause seizures, binge drinking or alcohol withdrawal can lead to seizures and even status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition. Alcohol poisoning, a consequence of binge drinking, occurs when a dangerous amount of alcohol is consumed, leading to a toxic buildup in the bloodstream that affects vital organs such as the brain and heart. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, and unconsciousness. It is important to seek immediate medical attention for alcohol poisoning to prevent permanent damage or death.
Similarly, perfume ingestion can cause seizures and vomiting due to the presence of toxic alcohols. Healthline identifies specific physical conditions that can occur with perfume poisoning, including higher body temperatures, hives or boils, confusion, and nausea or vomiting. Treatment for perfume poisoning includes drinking plenty of water, eating small snacks, and possibly overnight hospitalization, depending on the severity of the symptoms.
It is important to note that fragrance products are exempt from FDA testing, and many of their ingredients are classified as trade secrets, making it difficult to determine the full extent of their potential harm. Some studies suggest that certain ingredients in fragrances can build up in the body over time and have harmful effects on the reproductive system. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious and seek medical advice if you experience any adverse reactions to perfume ingestion or exposure.
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Fragrance ingredients often cause allergic reactions
While immediate, irreversible damage to health caused by one-time perfume use is rare, exposure to topical fragrances can trigger allergies, skin sensitivities, and cause harm over time. Fragrance allergies occur when certain fragrance components, called allergens, come into contact with the skin. This causes the immune system to react by making protective proteins called antibodies to defend against the allergens. This immune system response usually develops over a course of days and manifests as itchiness or a rash.
In most cases, the reaction results in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), an itchy rash that appears on the skin that has been directly exposed to the irritating substance. Skin allergies to fragrance ingredients often involve the skin of the face, hands, or armpits. Symptoms of fragrance allergy can also include hyperpigmentation (patches of skin that are darker than usual), typically on people with darker skin. In some cases, more severe blistering can cause skin peeling and mimic burns.
Fragrance ingredients may also affect the respiratory system because they are essentially vapor and can be inhaled. This is especially true for patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and viral respiratory infections. For people with sensitivities to certain fragrances, inhaling them may result in shortness of breath, coughing, phlegm, a runny or stuffy nose, headache, chest tightness, and wheezing. In rare cases, a person can develop anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be dangerous or even life-threatening. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include a lack of consciousness, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, lightheadedness, chest pain, a rapid weak pulse, nausea, and vomiting.
It can be difficult to avoid perfumes that cause allergic reactions, as companies are not required to list all their ingredients and can simply put "fragrance" or "perfume" on their labels to represent a hundred or more chemical compounds. However, choosing a perfume with minimal ingredients can reduce the chance of having an allergic or sensitivity reaction.
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Ethanol content is especially harmful to children
While it is rare for one-time exposure to perfume to cause immediate and irreversible damage to one's health, it can be harmful. Most perfumes contain high amounts of ethanol, which can be especially dangerous for children. Ethanol is a dangerous poison for children, depressing the central nervous system and causing low blood sugar. This can lead to seizures, comas, and even death.
Children who ingest perfume may experience symptoms such as impaired balance, slurred speech, gastrointestinal upset, reduced respiration, and drowsiness. If a child ingests a teaspoon or more of perfume, it is recommended to contact a poison control center or a pediatrician immediately. While waiting for medical assistance, it is important to give the child a small, carb- or sugar-heavy snack to prevent their blood sugar from dropping to dangerous levels.
Unintentional exposure to ethanol can occur when alcoholic drinks are left out within a child's reach, or when alcohol is transferred to an unmarked container. It is also possible for older children or adults to intentionally give younger children alcohol, or for children to consume more after an initial sip due to the initially unpleasant taste.
The toxicity of ethanol in children can be difficult to diagnose, and it is important to determine what substance was ingested and how much. If a child is suspected of ingesting ethanol, it is crucial to seek medical attention and monitor their mental status and blood glucose levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, drinking perfume can be harmful. Perfumes contain alcohol, which can cause alcohol poisoning if ingested. They can also contain toxic ingredients, such as denaturing agents, which are added to make the product bitter and undrinkable.
If someone has ingested perfume, you should contact a poison control centre or a medical professional immediately. In the meantime, give the person a small, carb- or sugar-heavy snack to prevent their blood sugar from dropping.
Symptoms of perfume poisoning include muscle cramping, nausea, vomiting, higher body temperature, hives or boils, confusion, and seizures.
While immediate and irreversible damage to health caused by one-time perfume ingestion is rare, exposure to perfumes over time can trigger allergies, skin sensitivities, and other harmful effects.
