| What constitutes a dermal or skin reaction to essential | | | | chemical and an essential oil can trigger an allergic |
| oils? There are actually three types of dermal toxicity: | | | | reaction (for example spraying the garden with a |
| irritation, sensitization and phototoxicity. All three are | | | | pesticide then using an essential oil on the skin)o |
| considered forms of dermal toxicity that every | | | | Interaction of the essential oil with residues of synthetic, |
| aromatherpist as well as lay users of essential oils | | | | petroleum-based personal care products-Compounds |
| should know about and recognize. Here is a brief | | | | found in hand creams, mouthwashes, shampoos, |
| description of each. | | | | antiperspirants, after-shave lotions and hair care |
| IrritationReactions come from compounds in an | | | | products |
| essential oil that react with cellular components of skin | | | | - Benzalkonium chloride |
| resulting in a reddening of the skin in varying degrees. | | | | - Sodium lauryl sulfate |
| This reddening of the skin occurs almost immediately. | | | | - Propylene glycol |
| Oils that can cause skin irritation include phenols found | | | | - Aluminum salts |
| in oregano, savory, thyme, and clove, or an aromatic | | | | - Methylene chloride |
| aldehyde found in cinnamon, and cassia. The reaction | | | | - Methyl isobutyl ketone |
| is usually heat and burning and is not an allergic | | | | - Methyl ethyl ketone |
| reaction. It comes from too much oil in a given skin | | | | PhototoxicityPhototoxicity is an interaction between a |
| area. It can also be caused by adulterated oils. | | | | component in an essential oil, the skin, and ultraviolet |
| Treatment for skin irritation is an immediate dilution with | | | | photons resulting in a skin reaction. These reactions |
| a carrier oil to quench it. This usually takes care of the | | | | can vary from pigmentation of the skin to severe |
| redness and burning. | | | | full-thickness burns. The most common phototoxic |
| SensitizationIn sensitization, compounds within an | | | | agents are psoralens and furanocoumarins. Their |
| essential oil cause an activation of the immune system. | | | | chemical structure absorbs the energy from UV rays |
| The result is a contact dermatitis. At the first exposure, | | | | (sunlight or tanning beds) and then releases the energy |
| usually nothing happens. In subsequent exposures, | | | | in a burst to surrounding skin cells resulting in brown |
| reactions occur. Reactions can be in the form of a | | | | spots or burns. Usually keeping away from the sun for |
| rash, sneezing, shortness of breath or hives. Fragrance | | | | 12 hours after application is sufficient to prevent these |
| allergy is the most common cause of cosmetic | | | | reactions. It is sometimes said that all citrus oils are |
| contact dermatitis. The most sensitizing component of | | | | phototoxic, but this not true. When the citrus oils are |
| commonly used essential oils is cinnamic aldehyde | | | | steam distilled, none are photo-toxic. However, distilled |
| from cinnamon oil. Eugenol in clove oil is also sensitizing. | | | | citrus oils are rarely used in aromatherapy because |
| Other essential oils that pose a lesser risk include tea | | | | they are less aromatic and don't have the same |
| tree, lemongrass and ylang ylang. It is important to | | | | therapeutic qualities as the expressed citrus oils do. |
| remember that any concentration of an oil may | | | | The steam distilled citrus oils are mainly used for |
| sensitize skin in a person with a genetic pre-disposition. | | | | flavorings. |
| Allergic reactions such as this usually develop in people | | | | The common essential oils considered phototoxic |
| who already manifest allergic reactions of one kind or | | | | include: bergamot, lime, bitter orange, lemon, rue, |
| another-asthma, eczema, and nasal allergies. How | | | | angelica root, petitgrain, rue and grapefruit. Some |
| would you treat a skin sensitization reaction? You | | | | authorities also include lemongrass, cumin, fennel, anise, |
| might try one of the anti-inflammatory essential oils like | | | | and verbena absolute on the list. The bottom of the |
| Roman chamomile or lavender in a 10% dilution. | | | | feet is one of the safest and most effective places to |
| If someone knows they have sensitive skin, a patch | | | | use essential oils. According to Tisserand and Balacs in |
| test should be done first. Dilute the essential oil to | | | | Essential Oil Safety, the expressed oils of mandarin, |
| double the concentration to be used and put it on an | | | | sweet orange, tangelo and tangerine are not |
| adhesive bandage. Place the bandage on the person's | | | | phototoxic. This is due to the quenching effects of |
| forearm and leave in place for 12-24 hours to assess | | | | other compounds, especially sesquiterpenes that make |
| any adverse reactions. | | | | the unruly furanocoumarins behave. Myrrh is a perfect |
| Some causes of sensitization:o Adulterants in an oilo | | | | example. It contains at least ten types of furanoid |
| Some reactions can take years to build upo Taking | | | | compound (20-27%)-more than any other oil, yet it is |
| several medications at the same time may show a | | | | not phototoxic. In ancient times, they actually used |
| sensitivity to essential oilso Sometimes a mixture of a | | | | myrrh oil on the skin daily without sunburn reactions. |