A concerned mother, Elessame, has issued a vital warning to parents everywhere following a terrifying incident involving her two-year-old son and peppermint oil. Elessame shared her experience on TikTok, detailing how her toddler accidentally consumed what she described as "the smallest drop" of the essential oil, leading to an unexpected overnight stay in hospital.

The incident occurred when Elessame, who had been using peppermint oil as a natural anti-spider hack around her home, turned away for a moment. Her son came into contact with a nearly empty bottle, and the straw-like applicator touched his lip, causing him to react immediately. Elessame quickly attempted to mitigate the situation by brushing his teeth, giving him water, and wiping inside his mouth to remove any residue.

However, an online search for advice revealed the severity of the situation, prompting her to contact the emergency department via 111. To her surprise, she was advised to take her son to A&E within the hour. Upon arrival, medical staff conducted checks, finding her son's heart rate and blood pressure to be unusually low. It was then that Elessame was informed of the grave danger: even a minimal amount, such as one or two millilitres of peppermint oil, is classified as poisonous and toxic, particularly for children under the age of five.

The seriousness of the consumption necessitated her son remaining in hospital overnight for observation and treatment. Elessame's primary motivation for sharing her ordeal was to raise awareness among other parents, as she herself was unaware that a product considered "natural and organic" could pose such a significant threat. She strongly urged parents with toddlers to watch her video and ensure essential oils are kept well out of reach of young children, emphasizing that "Natural doesn’t always mean safe."

The TikTok video garnered significant attention, with many commenters expressing their shock and gratitude for the warning. Replies included sentiments like, "Wow, never knew this - thanks for sharing!" and "I’m glad your son is well" and "I have a 3 year old at home and had no idea. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING!" highlighting a widespread lack of awareness regarding the toxicity of essential oils for young children.

For those looking for safer alternatives to deter spiders, Elessame's experience indirectly highlights the need for caution when using essential oils around children. Other suggested methods include ready-made spider repellent sprays, which are non-lethal and easy to use and often have a pleasant smell; spider vacuums, offering a humane way to catch and release spiders while an LED light allows you to spot them in the dark; and spider catchers with long handles, providing a safe distance for squeamish individuals to remove spiders without injury, ensuring they can be safely disposed of without harm.