IN MY VIEW ... AROMATHERAPY WORKS

IT’S NOT often that a single study triggers an immediate change in my practice, but new research has done just that.

In a well-designed trial, recently published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium found that inhaling the vapour of isopropyl alcohol, from small swabs used for cleaning the skin before an injection, is a more effective treatment for nausea (patients in A&E with nausea of any cause, for example, gastroenteritis or chemotherapy) than the commonly used oral drug ondansetron.

The alcohol-soaked swab was held 2.5cm (about 1in) from the nose for no more than 60 seconds. This was then repeated two minutes and four minutes later.

This is aromatherapy at its best, and although we have no idea how it works or for how long the effects last, as a treatment for the nausea experienced following a general anaesthetic, chemotherapy, or even food poisoning, it is available without prescription — bought over the counter — and is safe in small amounts on a medicated swab, as used in the study.

There is no contraindication to self-treatment with the swabs — which are small, so the dose is therefore limited — if used as above.

I am wondering if it works for seasickness, and now I plan to do a small set of observations.