A mother named Elessame has issued a critical warning to parents following a distressing incident where her two-year-old son was hospitalized after accidentally ingesting a minuscule amount of peppermint oil. The incident highlights the often-overlooked dangers of common household products, particularly essential oils, which many use for seemingly innocuous purposes such as natural pest control.

Elessame had acquired a bottle of peppermint essential oil from a high street store, intending to use it as a natural deterrent for spiders, a popular hack involving spraying it around doors and skirting boards. Despite the bottle being "practically empty," it still contained "the smallest drop." In an unexpected turn, the straw applicator touched her son's lip, leading to immediate ingestion. Realizing the potential danger, Elessame promptly brushed her son's teeth, provided water, and wiped his mouth to minimize absorption.

Upon consulting online resources, she was advised to contact the emergency department. Following a call to 111, she was instructed to take her son to A&E within the hour. At the hospital, doctors observed that the toddler's heart rate and blood pressure were lower than normal. Medical staff informed Elessame that even a minute amount, specifically "one millilitre or two millilitres," of peppermint oil is considered "poisonous and toxic," posing a significant risk, especially to children under the age of five. Consequently, her son had to remain in hospital overnight for observation.

Elessame shared her frightening experience on TikTok, aiming to educate other parents who, like her, might be unaware that something perceived as "natural and organic" could be so perilous. Her message emphasized the crucial need to keep all essential oils strictly out of reach of young children. The warning resonated widely, with many commenters expressing gratitude for the vital information, confirming their own prior ignorance regarding the oil's toxicity. Phrases like "Natural doesn’t always mean safe" and "Wow, never knew this - thanks for sharing!" underscored the impact of her story.

For parents seeking safer alternatives to repel spiders, several humane and non-toxic options exist. These include ready-made spider repellent sprays designed to be non-lethal and pleasant-smelling, spider vacuums which humanely capture and allow for immediate release of spiders, and spider catchers with long handles, providing a safe distance for those who are squeamish, enabling the spider to be disposed of without injury.