Treating Dermatitis with Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree oil: - Tea tree oil (Melaleuca oil) is the essential oil distilled from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel. It is popular and shown to be beneficial in the treatment of various skin problems including onychomycosis,tinea pedis and acne. However, Hawaiian researchers have found that tea tree oil can cause allergic contact eczema.
The researchers monitored 7 patients who were patch tested with Finn Chambers to a 1% solution (vol/vol) of tea tree oil and 1% solutions (vol/vol) of 11 of its constituent compounds to try and establish which constituents of the tea tree oil were responsible for the contact eczema.
The results revealed that of the seven patients reactive to the 1% melaleuca oil solution, six patients also reacted to limonene, five to alpha-terpinene and aromadendrene, 2 to terpinen-4-ol, and one each to p-cymene and alpha-phellandrene. d-Carvone, an autooxidative derivative of limonene, caused no reactions among the seven patients. The researchers concluded that d-Limonene was the most common allergen causing allergic contact eczema in the patients.
A further report in the journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (United Kingdom)
also identified tea tree oil as a possible cause of relapsing eczema in a 53 year old woman who had prolonged exposure to the oil. The report also found the woman was also allergic to other essential oils including lavender, jasmine, rosewood (which may have been due to prolonged exposure to the oils) as well as laurel, eucalyptus and pomerance (to which the woman had not been previously exposed). The report highlights the importance of treating essential oils with respect and seeking professional advice when using the oils (especially if using them for prolonged periods).
References: Vol 1,Issue2, 7. Vol 1,Issue3, 9.Vol 1,Issue4, 9. Knight T.E.; Hausen B.M. Melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) dermatitis. J. AM. ACAD. DERMATOL. (USA) , 1994, 30/3 (423-427) Schaller M.S.; Korting H.C. Allergic airborne contact dermatitis from essential oils used in aromatherapy Dermatologische Klinik/Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Frauenlobs trasse 9-11, D-80337 Munchen Germany. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (United Kingdom) , 1995, 20/2 (143-145)
The researchers monitored 7 patients who were patch tested with Finn Chambers to a 1% solution (vol/vol) of tea tree oil and 1% solutions (vol/vol) of 11 of its constituent compounds to try and establish which constituents of the tea tree oil were responsible for the contact eczema.
The results revealed that of the seven patients reactive to the 1% melaleuca oil solution, six patients also reacted to limonene, five to alpha-terpinene and aromadendrene, 2 to terpinen-4-ol, and one each to p-cymene and alpha-phellandrene. d-Carvone, an autooxidative derivative of limonene, caused no reactions among the seven patients. The researchers concluded that d-Limonene was the most common allergen causing allergic contact eczema in the patients.
A further report in the journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (United Kingdom)
also identified tea tree oil as a possible cause of relapsing eczema in a 53 year old woman who had prolonged exposure to the oil. The report also found the woman was also allergic to other essential oils including lavender, jasmine, rosewood (which may have been due to prolonged exposure to the oils) as well as laurel, eucalyptus and pomerance (to which the woman had not been previously exposed). The report highlights the importance of treating essential oils with respect and seeking professional advice when using the oils (especially if using them for prolonged periods).
References: Vol 1,Issue2, 7. Vol 1,Issue3, 9.Vol 1,Issue4, 9. Knight T.E.; Hausen B.M. Melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) dermatitis. J. AM. ACAD. DERMATOL. (USA) , 1994, 30/3 (423-427) Schaller M.S.; Korting H.C. Allergic airborne contact dermatitis from essential oils used in aromatherapy Dermatologische Klinik/Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Frauenlobs trasse 9-11, D-80337 Munchen Germany. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (United Kingdom) , 1995, 20/2 (143-145)
posted by Madison @ 10:05 AM
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