Essential oil-related status epilepticus: A small case series study
Thomas Mathew1, Saji K John1, Vikram Kamath2
1Department of Neurology St. John's Medical College Hospital Bengaluru Karnataka India.
Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open
|November 4, 2020
Summary
Essential oils like eucalyptus and camphor can trigger seizures (status epilepticus) in adults. Healthcare providers should inquire about essential oil exposure in patients presenting with seizures.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Essential oils, derived from plants, are common over-the-counter remedies.
- Certain essential oils possess proconvulsant properties, potentially inducing seizures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case series of status epilepticus linked to essential oil exposure.
- To highlight the proconvulsant effects of specific essential oils.
Main Methods:
- Observational study in a tertiary care hospital in South India (January 2018 - December 2019).
- Collected demographic, clinical, and imaging data of status epilepticus cases due to essential oil exposure.
- Excluded cases of status epilepticus from other causes.
Main Results:
- Three adult cases of essential oil-related status epilepticus were identified.
- Two patients experienced generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus after ingesting eucalyptus oil.
- One patient developed focal-impaired awareness status epilepticus following topical application of eucalyptus and camphor-containing balms.
Conclusions:
- Proconvulsant essential oils, specifically eucalyptus and camphor, can precipitate both generalized and focal status epilepticus.
- Clinicians should routinely ask about essential oil exposure in patients with status epilepticus.
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