My Child Drank Perfume: Prevention and Treatment Tips

What are the major ingredients of perfume? 

Fragrance products provide a pleasant smell when applied to the body. These products have 2 main components: a fragrance (usually an oil, often derived from flowers) and an alcohol (usually ethanol) and water mixture. Once the fragrance is on the skin, the alcohol and water evaporate, leaving the pleasant-smelling oil behind. Products with higher concentrations of fragrance last longer, require a higher concentration of alcohol, come in smaller bottles, and are more expensive. 

The table below shows 3 characteristics of fragrance categories: the proportion of the product that is the fragrant substance, the alcohol component of the alcohol-water mixture, and how long the scent will last after application. The product categories are in French to be consistent with common product labeling.

Symptoms of perfume poisoning 

Fragrance products are very attractive to children because of their smell and their ornate bottles. The most important risk presented by fragrance products is alcohol poisoning. In children, alcohol causes drowsiness and inebriation just like in adults, but it also can drop their blood sugar to dangerously low concentrations. The brain needs sustained levels of sugar to function normally. Children can develop slurred speech, show depressed breathing, loss of coordination, pass out, or even have seizures. 

Can perfume cause an allergic reaction?

Perfumes and colognes can cause skin irritation. Furthermore, there are at least 175 fragrance ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, fragrance products are the leading cause of cosmetic-related contact dermatitis.

If a skin reaction occurs, wash the skin with soap and water to remove any remaining product and discontinue use of the product. If inflammation or irritation persists, an over-the-counter topical steroid like 1% hydrocortisone can be applied.

What to do if your child drinks perfume or cologne

If your child drinks perfume, cologne, or any source of alcohol, give them a light snack to prevent their blood sugar from dropping. Get guidance from Poison Control immediately to determine if your child has swallowed a dangerous amount: call 1-800-222-1222 or use thewebPOISONCONTROL tool for online help. 

Additionally, Contact Poison Control if you think it’s possible that your child might have gotten into a perfume or cologne. Smell near the child's mouth if you think some was swallowed. If a fragrance product was inadvertently sprayed into the eyes, rinse gently for 15 min with lukewarm water and then call or get online help from Poison Control.

Pela Soto, PharmD, BSHS, BS
Certified Specialist in Poison Information

Revised William G. Troutman, PharmD
Professor of Pharmacy Emeritus

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