Cologne Inhalation: Is It Harmful?

The effects of inhaling cologne are a cause for concern, with one-third of people reporting health problems when exposed to fragranced products. Cologne is made from alcohol and essential oils, and while it is rare for one-time exposure to cause immediate and irreversible damage to health, long-term exposure can cause allergies, skin sensitivities, and other issues. The ethanol in cologne can intensify respiratory sensitization, and some of the chemicals in cologne may be dangerous if they build up in the body. In addition, cologne poisoning can occur if someone swallows cologne, whether by accident or on purpose, and this can cause severe breathing problems, seizures, and even coma.

The dangers of cologne poisoning

Cologne is a scented liquid made from alcohol and essential oils. While it is meant to be applied externally, cologne poisoning occurs when someone swallows it, either accidentally or intentionally. The most toxic ingredients in colognes are ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. These alcohols are toxic and may cause symptoms if swallowed in amounts greater than 30 milliliters.

Symptoms of cologne poisoning may include:

• Decreased level of consciousness, including coma (lack of responsiveness)
• Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting (may be bloody)
• Trouble walking normally
• Low body temperature, low blood sugar, and low blood pressure
• Seizures (convulsions)
• Swaying from side to side
• Uncoordinated movement

If you suspect someone has ingested cologne, seek medical help immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a medical professional or poison control. Have the following information ready: the person's age, weight, and condition, as well as the time the cologne was swallowed. Call your local poison control center or a medical emergency number, such as 911 in the United States.

It is important to note that even without ingestion, cologne and other fragranced products can cause health issues for some people. About one-third of people report health problems when exposed to fragranced items, including asthma attacks, hay fever, headaches, migraines, dizziness, breathing problems, rashes, congestion, nausea, and seizures. The chemicals and pollutants in these products become airborne and can be a concern, especially in indoor spaces.

To minimize the risks associated with cologne and other fragranced products, some general tips include:

• Choosing products labelled as "fragrance-free"
• Opting for subtle, mild, or no-fragrance deodorants and antiperspirants
• Using unscented or mildly fragranced laundry detergents
• Advocating for fragrance-free policies in workplaces and public spaces

The effects of cologne on the respiratory system

Cologne is a scented liquid made from alcohol and essential oils. While cologne poisoning typically occurs when someone swallows cologne, there are other harmful effects of cologne on the human body, particularly the respiratory system.

The Hazards of Fragrance

Fragranced products contain chemicals, including pollutants, that become airborne and can be hazardous to human health. About one in three people report having health problems when exposed to fragranced products. These problems include asthma attacks, hay fever, headaches, migraines, dizziness, breathing problems, rashes, congestion, nausea, and seizures.

The Unknown Dangers of Cologne

Due to laws that protect fragrance manufacturers from sharing "trade secrets," almost every cologne sold commercially is filled with chemicals that aren't listed individually on the product packaging. These chemicals are simply covered by the word "fragrance," leaving consumers in the dark about the ingredients they are being exposed to.

Harmful Ingredients

Despite the lack of transparency in ingredient lists, we do know that most colognes contain high amounts of ethanol, which can be especially dangerous for children if ingested. Even without ingestion, ethanol can irritate the human respiratory system. A research study showed that asthma patients who pre-inhaled ethanol had a higher average cough rate than healthy subjects, and the allergy reaction was dose-dependent.

Other Toxic Ingredients

In addition to ethanol, colognes may contain other toxic ingredients such as isopropyl alcohol, which can cause severe breathing problems, seizures, and even comas if ingested.

The Bottom Line

The impact of cologne on children

Cologne is a scented liquid made from alcohol and essential oils. While cologne is intended to be sprayed on the skin, it can be harmful if swallowed. This is true for both adults and children, but children are especially vulnerable to developing low blood sugar if they ingest cologne.

In general, cologne can be dangerous for children. Most colognes contain high amounts of ethanol, which is toxic and may cause symptoms if swallowed in amounts greater than 30 milliliters. If a child ingests a teaspoon or more of cologne, it is important to contact a poison control center or a pediatrician right away. While waiting for help to arrive, give the child a small, carb- or sugar-heavy snack to prevent their blood sugar from dropping to dangerous levels.

In addition to the risks associated with ingestion, cologne can also be harmful to children if it is sprayed on their skin or inhaled. Some common side effects of fragrances for children include skin irritation, allergic reactions, respiratory issues, headaches, and dizziness. Children with asthma or sensitive skin are particularly susceptible to these side effects.

In some cases, fragrances can also cause behavioral issues in children, making them feel overstimulated or agitated and leading to difficulty concentrating or behavioral outbursts.

To minimize the risk of side effects, parents should choose mild, natural fragrances for their children and teach them to use fragrances in moderation. If a child experiences any adverse reactions to fragrances, parents should stop using the product and seek medical attention if necessary.

Cultural norms around cologne and perfume also play a role in how they are used with children. In Europe, Latin America, and other scent-forward parts of the world, it is common for children to be introduced to fragrances at a young age. In the United States, however, there is more wariness around exposing children to fragrances, and most children don't start wearing perfume or cologne until they are 12 or 13 years old.

The ingredients in cologne that can be harmful

Colognes are scented liquids made from alcohol and essential oils. While they are designed to be applied topically, they can be harmful if ingested. However, even when used as intended, colognes can contain ingredients that may have negative health effects.

Alcohols

The most common alcohols found in colognes are ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol). These are toxic and may cause symptoms if swallowed in amounts greater than 30 millilitres. Ethanol is also linked to respiratory problems in children.

Phthalates

Phthalates are commonly found in fragrances and help the scent last longer. They are endocrine disruptors, which means they can act like hormones in the human body and cause a range of health problems, including reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, birth defects, respiratory issues, and lower sperm counts in men. Phthalates have also been linked to premature deaths among adults aged 55-64.

Musk Ketone

Musk ketone is a skin irritant and hormone disruptor. It has a low biodegradability, which means it can often be found in human breast milk and fatty tissue.

Benzaldehyde

This substance is a narcotic and a lung and eye irritant. It can cause nausea, abdominal pain, and kidney damage.

Benzyl Acetate

Benzyl acetate is a known carcinogen and can cause eye and lung irritation as well as coughing.

Camphor

Camphor can cause dizziness, confusion, nausea, muscle twitching, and convulsions.

Ethyl Acetate

Ethyl acetate can cause eye and respiratory irritation.

Limonene

Limonene is a known carcinogen.

Linalool

Linalool can cause respiratory disturbances, depression, and central nervous system disorders.

Styrene

Styrene is an ingredient found in many cosmetic products and was deemed a likely carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program in 2014.

Undisclosed Ingredients

It is important to note that fragrance manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients on their labels and can simply use the term "fragrance" to cover a variety of chemicals. This makes it difficult for consumers to know exactly what they are exposing themselves to.

How to treat cologne poisoning

If you suspect someone has ingested cologne, seek medical help right away. Call your local emergency number (such as 911 in the US) or your local poison control center. In the US, you can reach the poison control center by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Before calling emergency services, have the following information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Time the cologne was swallowed
• The container of the cologne, if possible

If the person who ingested cologne is a child, give them a small, carb- or sugar-heavy snack to prevent their blood sugar from dropping to a dangerous level.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

If you or someone you know is experiencing cologne poisoning, medical professionals will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The person may receive:

• Blood and urine tests
• Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth into the lungs and a breathing machine (ventilator)
• ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Endoscopy -- a camera placed down the throat to check for burns in the esophagus and the stomach, if vomiting blood
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Medicine to treat symptoms
• A tube through the nose into the stomach if vomiting blood

The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery.

Frequently asked questions