ANSES is warning this Tuesday of the ineffectiveness and danger of using essential oils in the prevention or treatment of Covid-19.
The National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) alerted this Tuesday in a communicated on the ineffectiveness of essential oils in the treatment of Covid-19.
“I‘ANSES and the network of Poison Control Centers carefully monitor calls for a reason associated with Covid-19 (…) Several origins of risk situations have been identified by poison control centers including the use of essential oils”says ANSES.
The dangers of essential oils
Among them, the absorption of essential oils orally to “strengthen the natural defences” and “fight against coronavirus”spraying them for “sanitize an enclosed space” by a person at risk (asthmatic for example), or their use to disinfect a surgical mask, which is totally ineffective and potentially harmful.
“ANSES recalls that essential oils are not a means of combating the coronavirus. It is important to respect the conditions of use of these oils (route of administration, dose, area of application, etc.).”
It is recommended that people with respiratory conditions (particularly asthmatics), and pregnant or breastfeeding women, do not use essential oils. “Before any use, and if you have any questions about the use of essential oils, seek advice from a pharmacist.”
Poisoning and risks related to Covid-19
It would seem that the Covid-19 epidemic is pushing some people to unintentionally put themselves in danger. Recently, ANSES warned about the “poisoning related to disinfection and other risky situations” in connection with the novel coronavirus.
“Between 1er and on March 24, 2020, 337 calls related to exposure cases (with or without symptoms) or requests for information were identified as possibly associated with the Covid-19 context. Among the exposed cases (245 cases), 144 had symptoms and 101 did not..”
Several specific risk situations have been identified: inhalation of toxic vapour, accidental poisoning of young children following the transfer of household products (in a bottle, in a glass of water, etc.), cleaning food with bleach. Likewise, “accidental exposure of children having handy hydro-alcoholic solutions or products used for the preparation of hydro-alcoholic solutions to do it yourself” have been reported.
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