Are essential oils safe for children?

On January 5, 2016, emergency crews were called to Our Kids Daycare and Learning Center in Middleton, Idaho. The reason: concern for carbon monoxide poisoning. The daycare center’s director Robin Hagaman noted that some of the 12 toddlers in the classroom were acting strangely when they awakened from their naps and were also noted to have dilated pupils. In addition, two of the teachers were simultaneously experiencing headaches and nausea. The kids were moved out of that room toward another end of the facility, but carbon monoxide was not found to be the cause for the symptoms. Instead, blame was shifted to the essential oil diffuser found in the classroom. What are essential oils and why are they used? Essential oils are concentrated, volatile extracts taken from plants that are often aromatic. Their reported benefits include mood enhancement, stress relief, reduction in odor-causing bacteria and even immunity boosting. They’ve been used since the 13th century. Common examples include lavender, wintergreen, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, and frankincense. As Hagaman stated in an interview with KTVB 7 News, “We’ve got some essential oils to kind of help with the different smells in the room of toddlers and to help with the viruses that are going around and stuff. We had it up here on top of the little shelf, and it was going pretty steady.” Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Meds Pediatrics Source Type: blogs