Vaseline or petroleum jelly is one of the most used products for your skincare or medical purposes. Whether you have rough skin or are trying to get rid of mild scars on your skin, Vaseline can be your perfect companion. Applying Vaseline to your skin locks the moisturizer and prevents you from having dry skin.
But what will happen if you accidentally eat Vaseline? Is Vaseline edible for humans? Yes, Vaseline is edible, but you should not eat it as food.
Vaseline is not designed for internal uses. So if your internal organs come in contact with Vaseline, that experience might not be pleasant. Let’s learn about the different benefits of Vaseline and how it affects our health.
Is Vaseline Edible For Humans?
According to FDA guidelines, you can eat a small amount of Vaseline. It will not be harmful to your body. But continuous exposure to Vaseline droplets can be dangerous for your lungs and cause different lung problems.
If you remain exposed for a long time, you will show symptoms like coughing blood, difficulty breathing, and various lung diseases.
Eating Vaseline will give you a slippery and warm sensation in your stomach. As the melting temperature of Vaseline Is just 10 degrees, it melts quickly and makes your stomach and intestines warmer.
Vaseline works as a lubricant and does not mix with your stomach fluid. So most of it will come out as it is. But if the Vaseline becomes part of the stomach fluid, it decreases your ability to observe fat-soluble vitamins. It can also damage your intestine walls and cause inflammation.
What Is Vaseline?
Vaseline is refined petroleum jelly. The semi-solid, gel-like white substance is quite famous for different purposes. Though many people define petroleum jelly as ‘Vaseline,’ it is not its real name.
‘Vaseline‘ is a brand that produces and distributes petroleum jelly for external uses. Due to the immense popularity of their product, people recognize petroleum jelly as the brand name.
Vaseline is a mixture of natural mineral oils and waxes refined and safe to use on your external skin. The brand ‘Vaseline’ has various products. But the first thing that comes into our mind hearing the word is a jar of white petroleum jelly.
What Will Happen If You Eat Vaseline?
Eating a little amount of Vaseline will not create any problem. But if you eat a large chunk of Vaseline, your digestive system might suffer. If you try to swallow a massive lump of petroleum jelly, it might get stuck in your throat and choke you.
Eating Vaseline on a large scale can be harmful to your internal organs. It can cause stomach pain or inflammation. Some people have also shown symptoms like coughing, difficulty breathing, throat irritation, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues. If you already have any gastrointestinal problems, it is better you not try eating Vaseline.
The health issues caused by eating Vaseline might be insignificant at first. But if you continue eating, it will become more severe and create permanent damage to your body.
How Does Vaseline Protect Human Skin?
Vaseline can protect human skin from external threats and cuts. The slippery and jelly-like layer of the Vaseline prevents anything from touching your skin. It forms a barrier and locks the moisturizer from drying out. As a result, your skin becomes more glowing and healthy.
You can use Vaseline Jelly on your skin as a skincare product. This will help the nourishment to stay longer. It is beneficial in a dry season. However, if you have acne-prone skin, it is better not to use Vaseline frequently in summer. Your skin’s oil will clog your pores alongside Vaseline if you overuse it.
How To Apply Vaseline On Cuts?
The wounded skin is ten times more prone to infections than usual. If germs or dust get attached to an open cut, it will cause swelling, infection or skin disease. It can also result in further discomfort and illness.
Though Vaseline does not have any specific healing qualities, the thick coating of wax prevents anything from entering your wound and seals all the anomalies.
As your cut remains protected from outer threats, it heals quickly. Also, the ingredients of Vaseline prevent forming scars and rashes. So, to regain the health of your skin, Vaseline is a great product.
How Does Vaseline Taste?
Vaseline does not contain any flavor. Pure Vaseline is a translucent semi-solid thick substance. The thickness and bland taste of Vaseline make it even less desirable as food.
While eating Vaseline, you will feel like eating odorless fat. It will leave a thick layer of petroleum jelly on your tongue. You might need a few seconds to let the Vaseline melt and swallow it.
Is Vaseline Toxic For Children?
Vaseline is not considered toxic for humans, but it still contains some toxic materials. Vaseline is not designed to treat your internal organs. So it’s not a food-graded healthy product.
Even if your kids swallow a little amount of Vaseline, that will not harm their health. But it is better not to let them eat Vaseline.
Children tend to eat whatever they see before them. They have a weak stomach and get sick easily if they consume the wrong ingredients. Though Vaseline does not pose any threat to a child’s health, it is not a pleasant substance to eat.
Because of its low melting point, if your child consumes Vaseline, they will feel uncomfortable and warm inside their body. Consuming a large amount of Vaseline can result in various gastrointestinal issues. So to keep your kid’s digestive system healthy, you must keep Vaseline away from them.
Final Thoughts
While using a product, being curious about it is natural. Especially if you use something on your lips or skin regularly, you must know if it poses any threat or not. So, learning about the properties of Vaseline and answering the questions like “is Vaseline edible for humans?” is essential if you want to ensure the safe use of Vaseline.
Though Vaseline was once used to treat constipation and consumed by patients, it does not contain any healing properties and can be harmful if you keep eating them. With time we have learned more about Vaseline and have been able to make logical judgments.
Knowing the answer to these questions fulfills your curiosity and ensures your safety. Enjoy your surroundings with proper precautions. Let’s make the best use of Vaseline and protect your skin from potential threats.