Always nice to have a little nibble in the tub.
Eucalyptus Oil Bath Gone Wrong: A Cautionary Tale & Relaxing Bath Recipe
Last week, feeling the telltale signs of a cold creeping in, I decided to take preemptive action with a soothing bath. I filled the tub with steaming hot water, added Epsom salts, bubbles, the invigorating Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath (a personal favorite!), and carefully measured out 5 drops of 100% pure Eucalyptus Oil.
After meticulously arranging my bath essentials – ducks, washcloths, hair conditioner, face mask, water bottle, and more – I gingerly eased into the wonderfully hot water, anticipating an hour of sinus relief and relaxation.
However, minutes later, my blissful reverie was soon interrupted by an unsettling sensation. My legs, backside, and back began to feel… peculiar. Uncomfortable, prickly, and, an odd burning sensation.
I suspected the Eucalyptus Oil, but only five drops? Then, my hand brushed against something at the bottom of the tub – what was this??? Oh, it was a bottle of 100% pure Eucalyptus Oil, lidless, leaking its contents into my bath!!!
Apparently, in my eagerness, I had knocked the ENTIRE bottle into the tub, unleashing a flood of Eucalyptus Oil onto my skin. This was not the relaxing and pleasant aromatherapy sensation I had envisioned. This was a most UN-pleasant sensation.
I quickly retrieved the bottle and frantically attempted to dilute the oil by draining some of the water and then adding more to the tub. But the burning sensation was now intensifying and affecting rather delicate areas. I scrambled out of the tub and made a beeline for the freezer, grabbing bags of frozen edamame to apply to the affected areas. It felt like my skin was on fire, but in a strangely cool, internal way. Did I look ridiculous with edamame smashed up against my coochie? Yep! Did I care? Nope!
After ten nerve-wracking minutes, things calmed down and I was relieved that I wouldn’t need to call paramedics – that would have been mortifying. The silver lining? My cold never materialized, I had edamame for dinner, and I learned a valuable lesson: always check the lids on your essential oils!
Creating a Safe and Relaxing Eucalyptus Oil Bath Recipe
To avoid my mishap and still enjoy the benefits of Eucalyptus Oil Aromatherapy, follow this safe bath recipe:
- Fill your tub with warm water
- Add Epsom salts and your favorite bubble bath
- Carefully add 3-5 drops of 100% pure Eucalyptus Oil while. you are in the tub. (Less is more!).
- Wait a few minutes to see how you feel and if not experiencing a fire alarm, add another drop or two
- Ensure the oil bottle is securely closed and stored away from the tub’s edge!!!
- Relax and enjoy the soothing aroma and therapeutic benefits
What to Do if You Overdo It with Eucalyptus Oil
If you accidentally add too much Eucalyptus Oil to your bath, immediately exit the tub. A cool shower or applying ice packs to the affected areas can provide relief. Don’t panic; the burning sensation should subside within minutes.
Keep “sport” ice packs, frozen edamame or corn in your freezer for such emergencies. Even ice cubes in a plastic bag will do the trick.
Aromatherapy should be a relaxing experience. By following this bath recipe and taking precautions, you can enjoy the benefits of Eucalyptus Oil without any unpleasant surprises.
Loves,
Funny I was just in the bath same scenario I found this blog by typing in does eucalyptus oil burn your skin. I also mixed mine with Dr. Teals soothe and sleep Epsom salt. I didn’t have the bottle leak but it set my skin on FIRE wonder if the two shouldn’t be mixed?
Dear Diva Amanda,
That’s a pretty strong reaction! Sorry that happened and wrecked your bath. I have a feeling it was more the eucalyptus than the Dr. Teals, as that stuff is pretty mild – especially since you had the Soothe & Sleep variety. And I have mixed oils together without explosive results!
You might just be super sensitive to eucalyptus. Or maybe you just put too much in? Don’t give up! Try again but really pay attention to how much oil you put in – like 3 drops at a time – and don’t mix it with anything else, just to be sure you are ok with it. Eucalyptus is so good, especially if you have a cold, I hope you give it another chance. Eucalyptus Oil in Wikipedia article
Let me know how it goes!
Happiest Bubbles,
The Bathtub Diva
I was prepping my eucalyptus oil bath, looked up how much eucalyptus oil to use, read your article. Had a good laugh because I have done too much peppermint before and know the pain… Slid into the hot bath and knocked my eucalyptus oil in. Panic set in as I felt around for it but thankfully the lid was on!
Ahhh just happened to me!! How ling is it gonna burn for!!? I bought undiluted by accident instead of my normal (I’m blaming chest infection!!)
I’m sure it’s the eucalyptus oil as I don’t use the Epsom salt and the same thing happened to me. I wondered if there was too much. But it’s only targeting areas, and never the same area. So I wondered if it’s inflammation in those areas it’s targeting, and too much of the eucalyptus oil as well.
Probably too much eucalyptus oil! So sorry for your experience! Don’t let this put you off taking a bath for healing and relaxation! And if you use eucalyptus oil again, just do it A DROP AT A TIME!
Happy bubbles,
The Bathtub Diva
tina, i’m wondering the same it’s always in my legs and i have been told i have a lot of toxin build up in my legs…
I did this but used near 1/4 bottle of oil oh my did it burn
You used too much! So sorry for your experience !
But do not give up on bathtime because of that ?
Loves,
The Bathtub Diva
I had a similar experience by shaking the peppermint bottle over the water and had inadvertently put to much in.
Ahh just did the same thing only used the oil my buns are on fire! What helps make the burning stop???
I was coming on with the flu, so my girlfriend prepared a “nice” hot bath for me. 1 hot water, 2 cups Epsom salt and she grabbed the peppermint and melaleuca oils. She kept shaking it violently, I told her enough is enough already! Who knows 60+ drops total? Kinda felt like adding gasoline, burns! The water could have been ice cold and I would have been burning. I rinsed off after only 5 minutes in, didn’t wash off. I’m feeling the burn/cool sensation now, hopefully gone when I wake up in the morning and the flu will be burnt out.
P.s. we got in a argument, because I looked it up, she went home and left me and my burning flesh here to figure it out.
Diva Pancho,
60 drops is most definitely too much! I hope you are feeling better today.
And having a fight while in a bathtub is not the best way to relax! Sorry to hear your tub-time was so traumatic.
Wishing you lots of peaceful, quiet and relaxing baths in the future – with just a FEW drops of oil!
Bubbles,
The Bathtub Diva
i used some eucalyptus infused epsom salts just bow and i wouldnt call the sensation burning so much as really cold! its not quite painful but its not comfy either, i can tell im sitting in a hot bath but im freezing. i think definitely used too much :O
I just had the same thing happen. I was in very warm water but I could only tell when I swirled it around. Otherwise I felt like I was sitting in 50 degree water. I literally was shivering. I only lasted ten minutes tops and had to Google what the hell just went wrong. I landed here. I’m glad I’m not the only one who became very stressed by taking a bath that was supposed to be relaxing. No more eucalyptus oil in the bath for me!
I just did the same thing yesterday. I have had a cold/flu that came on yesterday morning, so I decided to take a warm bath with peppermint oil. Being an oil amateur, I POURED the oil in the bath. It probably amounted to 2 or 3 tablespoons. I sat down and felt so relaxed when all of the sudden, my skin was on fire! I jumped up and started draining the tub and tried refilling it but it was no use. I took 3 showers to try to wash it off and the hot water felt freezing and made everything worse. I jumped into some warm pjs and hopped in bed but literally felt so cold and hot at the same time. It was the worst experience ever! Thankfully, I read a blog that led me to rubbing carrier oil on the affected area (which was my entire body!) This helped tremendously. After about and hour and a half, the burning went away and my skin felt normal again. There will always be emotional damage, but at least I didn’t turn into a peppermint stick. :D
Dear Diva Sarah,
So happy you survived! Good Lord. You totally overdid it on the oil – so sorry! Peppermint is wonderful in SMALL DOSES!!!!
But I’m sure you would have been a very cute peppermint stick :)
Take it easy on the next bath and just put in a FEW DROPS!
Love and Bubbles,
The Bathtub Diva
I put in 3 drops (nothing else in the water) and it’s burning my skin already. Behind my legs and the backs of my legs especially
Dearest Diva Mandy,
Whoa! You are super sensitive! Eucalyptus might not be the oil for you! Or else just one teeny weeny drop! So sorry you had a bad bath. But do keep bathing WITHOUT the oil!
Love and many bubbles,
The Bathtub Diva
Wow so glad, well also sorry, but reassured so many others out there had bad tub experiences too! I used to only put epsom salts in the tub with me, but we have some oils around so I added almost 10 drops eucalyptus and almost 10 drops tea tree oil – and the backs of my knees were *burning* so bad… but only in that one spot luckily, so I didn’t think too much of it since it was affecting all of my skin, but it was weird and uncomfortable enough to make me get out :( I’ll try again next time maybe with less…. or maybe just the salts!
Darling Diva Mallory,
Good Lord! You had an epic OIL experience! So sorry! But yes, too much of either oil will be…TOO MUCH! They are both powerful healers – in moderation! Sorry your bath time was spoiled with excess oils. Try again but with much less! Or just one, not both. Happy to hear you are willing to try again. And yes, just Epsom salts are terrific by themselves. Thank you so much for writing and visiting Te Bath Tub Diva website!
Love and lovely future baths,
The Bathtub Diva
I’m similar to Amanda. My partner just dribbled some oil in my bath and within a minute my skin was stinging. Might have been the amount she put in, not sure.
You might be allergic to the oils. So sorry for your experience!
Not sure what oil you used David, but whatever it was was probably too much for your skin! So sorry for your experience! You just might be supersensitive eucalyptus or peppermint. In that case, stay away from them! But don’t stop taking bathes because of that.
Just use Epsom salts and bubbles and you should be fine.
So sorry you had a bad experience!
Happy bubblie love,
The Bathtub Diva
Literally just did this and it BURNS! I’ve put eucalyptus oil in by itself and not had a reaction. Mixed it with an aveeno bubble/body wash and BOOM – burning. How long does this last?
Dear Diva Elizabeth,
As you know, it doesn’t last long!
Sorry for my late reply. But what a weird burning combo with Aveeno :(
Don’t do that again!
Loves,
The Bathtub Diva
I put eucalyptus oil into my bath last night, because I had clogged sinus, etc. It did not burn my skin, but I could not sleep until 3:30am. My heart was pounding, and my body tingled, and I was wide awake, as if I drank 3 cups of coffee before bed. Anyone else experience this over-stimulation? I do believe I put too much in.
Dear Diva Rebecca,
WOW! That was an extreme reaction! I’m so sorry, it sounds like you are a super sensitive soul.
Not sure if it was the eucalyptus oil that caused your distress or if something else was going on with the cold/fever. Usually if there is too much oil you can feel it right away in the bath, but you didn’t. So I wonder about that. Eucalyptus oil is a MILD stimulant Health Benefits but your reaction goes beyond that.
Do try it again to clear sinuses as it’s usually very helpful for that.
All the best for clogged noses,
The Bathtub Diva
This is great information. My bottle of eucalyptus oil has been sitting collecting dust because I used it once in a bath and never used it again. I guess a full tablespoon is just a little too much.
Darling Diva Gary,
Yep, a tablespoon is probably a bit too much! Try less next time and add some bubbles too! And a rubber duck.
Assuming you are a guy, Gary, my boyfriend LOVES bubbles with his bath, but he never did bubbles until I poured them in, so try it if you haven’t already! You can start with Mister Bubble – let me know how it goes.
Loves,
The Bathtub Diva
Thank heavens all of this came up in my search! I just got a bath with Epsom salt and several drops of eucalyptus! My legs and back are in fire!!!! Sorry you all experienced it, but thanks for the reassurance!!!
Dear Diva Michelle,
Happy you survived! So sorry you had a fiery time! I’ve done that too! It’s awful!
BUT, I’ve reduced my “dose” of eucalyptus oil and have had many happy baths since then with the Eucalyptus Goddess!
Loves,
The Bathtub Diva
Dear Diva Sisters-
A eucalyptus overdose in the tub today. Was exactly the same experience. I “shook” the oil in w Epsom salts & Baking soda. Just like the Bold letters said Not to do! (Which I read after).
The back of my thigh and smile muscles were starting to tingle and burn.
So I terminated the mission and put on aloe gel and shea Butter.
The last Time I felt that was snorkeling on the Big Island and had sat on a mossy rock which was filled w little Bacterial creatures.
Dear Diva Nancy,
Thank you SO MUCH for this post and so glad you “aborted the mission” and got out of the tub!
So sorry you read the BOLD LETTERS NOT TO DO a bit too late!
I am sorry for my delay in responding, just been up to my ears in other bubbles requiring my attention!
Nancy, you are a LOVE for writing and I am so happy you survived your eucalyptus overdose and Big Island mossy bacterial creatures!
Do try eucalyptus again in your bath – just not so much…
Biggest Loves and Bubbles,
The Bathtub Diva
Omg, i literally had to just out my bath. I used eucalyptus and Epson salt. I started getting prickly through my body, it was terrible.
Dear Diva Naomi,
Oh no!!!! Epson salt wouldn’t have done that, how much eucalyptus did you use? Sounds like too much!
Some Epsom salts come with the eucalyptus mixed in already – perhaps try one of those next time?
I hope you try again with better success. Eucalyptus is such a wonderful healing oil, especially with wintertime colds and congestion. Let me know how it goes!
All the best bubble and love,
The Bathtub Diva
We’ve got some nice Epsom Salt with eucalyptus bath salt options in our SHOP.
I put some eucalyptus oil in my bath and it smell like Vicks but I’m pretty sure Vicks does use eucalyptus in their salve but when it came to coming out of the bathtub and my bare butt hit the air it was like I bathed in Icy Hot with Hot being first and then turning Icy. I figured it would be good for my sore muscles in my legs because I was about to have a rough work ahead of me. I guess having bath in what felt like IcyHot I guess will make you not feel so sore.
It’s like that saying my brother use to tell me “Oh, you have a headache? Do you want me to stomp on your foot so you forget your headache?”
I don’t have a dropper with my bottle because the dropper broke in the mail so I just pour a small amount but it always just felt like I just put Icyhot on because Icyhot has Eucalyptus in it.
All of the “hot” oils are a risk for this. Oregano, peppermint, eucalyptus, and teatree especially. Never put them on your skin if it is wet or even slightly damp!