Occasionally people will be exposed to cinnamon oil or powder. Sometimes this is to feel a "rush" while at other times it may be a challenge. In either situation adverse effects can occur.
Exposures to cinnamon oil may be intentional or accidental.
Effect of ingesting cinnamon oil:
(1) sensation or warm with facial flushing
(2) burning sensation in the mouth
Adverse effects of cinnamon oil:
(1) chemical burn
(2) hypersensitivity reaction
(3) dermatitis
(4) nausea and vomiting
(5) eye irritation
Occasionally young people will attempt to eat a spoonful of cinnamon without drinking liquids as a challenge. This is difficult to do.
Cinnamon powder contains cellulose fibers. If these are inhaled they can cause interstitial inflammation in the lungs and fibrosis.
Additional effects of cinnamon powder:
(1) coughing
(2) burning sensation of the mouth, throat or nose
(3) vomiting
(4) epistaxis
(5) exacerbation of asthma
(6) hypersensitivity reaction