Camphor: Who Needs It?

Abstract

1. Camphor has no established, therapeutic role in scientific medicine. 2. Camphor has potent, serious toxicologic actions; the ingestion of relatively small amounts has proven fatal. 3. Although accidental oral ingestion is the most common route of intoxication, significant quantities can be absorbed percutaneously and via inhalation. 4. Transplacental transfer may be toxic to the fetus. 5. Camphorated oil, in particular, is the worst offender in accidental ingestions, because it is mistaken for a variety of over-the-counter products and is also accidentally ingested by toddlers. 6. As long as camphor-containing products continue to be marketed, pediatricians should warn parents of the dangers of camphor-containing products in the home, especially camphorated oil.