Use of mineral oil and it's hazards

[Skylar]

Sjenny, in a response to another post, suggested mineral oil dropped in the ear - that is extremely dangerous and should not be done. Mineral oil will drain down the ear into the throat where some of it can aerosolize and be breathed into the lungs causing a permanent and serious lung disease (lipoid granuloma formation and lipoid pneumonia) that can progress to lung cancer. Her suggestion of OTC ear wax drops is the safe an appropriate route to go.

In addition, do not put mineral oil drops down your nose - I did this as a child when I couldn't sleep because my nasal passages were so dry and painful. I'm thankful that I did not develop any medical problems - but knowing what I now know, I would never misuse Mineral Oil again.

OSHA (US Occupational Safety & Health Administration) also warns that not only can Mineral Oil cause lung problems, but also irritation of mucous membranes and some forms of mineral oil are carcogenic.

Skylar

Edited to say I don't mean to single SJenny out in particular because there are a lot of people who do this and make this suggestion. I just hope that Sjenny sees this post so she can avoid Mineral oil. As I point above, SJenny's suggestion of OTC ear wax drops is the perfect solution. Sorry SJenny, I'm not always very diplomatic but I care that you are keeping well and safe.

[Pooh]

Skylar, I'm sure sjenny will take the information in the proper manner.  We all know that you meant no offense, only to make US ALL aware of the dangers. 

Thanks for posting this information.  I would have never guessed that mineral oil could do this sort of damage.  Not that I use it, but for others that do, thanks again. 

Hugs, Pooh

[Sjenny]

Dear Skylar:

I'm glad you posted about the dangers of mineral oil.  I had no idea it was so dangerous.  I'm glad so many people on this forum are in the medical profession!

No more mineral oil for me!

Best Regards,
Sue

[irish]

skylar is correct in her information. The dry nose is relieved by using the OTC water based lubricant jelly. Equate has a brand and I think it is found in the personal hygiene section. It is the same as the K-Y jelly only much cheaper. When using it make sure to use just a small amount in the inside of the nostril. Don't try and push tablespoons etc way up into the nose as it will run down the throat and still could cause issues with choking etc.

Any of the oil based gel products are not good to put in your nose because of the chance of aspiration into the lung with possible resultant pneumonia. Irish

[trector1955]

Hello
    I am new to this board. But I need to tell you I use sweet oil in my ears. They drive me crazy. I asked my Dr. and he said it was ok. You can find it at Walmart in the ear ilse. It really works to calm my ears.
Theresa

[Skylar]

Hi SJenny Sue, I'm so glad you read this and understand the dangers of mineral oil. The problem is once these oils get into the lungs you can never get them out and they interfer with normal function. There are so many safe products to use that we don't need mineral oil.

Skylar

[irish]

trector, I do something to my ears that is really a no-no but I am very careful. I get the horribly itchy ear canals that are so dry. I also have wax that builds up. I have used water-wet q-tips to moisten the very outer part of the ear canal. That helps some. However, I have found that if I take a q-tip and put a little water based hydrocortisone cream 1% on the cotton tip and apply it to the outer part of the ear canal it really relieves the itching.

I had a doc tell me that there was no problem using the hydrocortisone cream in the inner ear. However, I did not tell him that I was using a q-tip. I don't tell people to use them but I also don't force mine into the ear canal as one can rupture the ear drum doing this. A finger with the cream would work also. Irish

[Linda196]

I'd just like to point out that there is NO connection between the outer ear and the throat or respiratory system. Many commercial and RX eardrops have a mineral oil base and are completely safe. The only time they should be restricted is when the ear drum isn't intact, in which case there could be a possibility of mineral oil entering the eustacean tube and draining to the throat.

Any petroleum based product is a no-no for the nose.

[Epson]

Gee, I guess I'll stop using 10W30 motor oil too!

[irish]

LInda,I am sure glad that you pointed that out about the connection of the ears to other areas in that area. I read it and began to think back and I then remembered that when I had the tube in my ear I would put my ear drops in and it would run down my throat. Guess I have a very poor memory because none of the other stuff I put in my ear runs anywhere---not even through the hole I have in my head!!!! Irish

[Sjenny]

Irish and Epson:

LOL

Sue

[Skylar]

Oops, mea culpa  Linda is 100% correct, thanks for posting. It's a good thing my thing is research and not clinical practice. LOL

Okay, I need to amend this to be careful about oral and nasal products and avoid mineral oil.

Skylar

[trector1955]

Hello
      So I have read all your posts. I use sweet oil they sell it in the ear drops deptment. Is it bad for you? My Dr. said it was ok. I am very confused. (it doesn't take much any more to get that way!!!)
Thanks Theresa