This is a bit embarrassing...

[Octavia]

I recently had a small spot on my cheek, so my wife suggested I dab tea tree oil on it, which is what my teenage daughter does. Good idea, I thought - I'm an aromatherapist, why didn't I think of that?

Couple of days later I had a bright red itchy patch about the size of an orange on my cheek!

Maybe I should have been warned as I've discovered in the past a sensitivity to lavender oil (the other oil that we are all taught is safe to use undiluted on the skin). That time my face swelled up after coming into contact with some lavender oil my wife put on a pillow.

I have no problem using these oils in a blend, but it's a bit embarrassing, isn't it - an aromatherapist who seems to be allergic to lavender and tea tree!

At least, though, it proves the power of these oils - essential oils aren't just a nice smell, as some sceptics believe.

 

[ariamna d]

Thanks for sharing that with us, Nick.

On the topic of Tea Tree, some of you might have noticed the recent increase of price due to smaller yield in Australia last year.

Now, even more than normally, one needs to source TT from reputable suppliers for fear of adulteration.

Please, please, be very careful with those pound-shop bottles!!

 

[alman]

I only wish my (reputably sourced) oils cost £1!

 

[Angel Peter]

Hi nick

have similar reaction to bergamot - which is strange as i really love it but it makes my hands burn even when massively diluted

 

[cnbbgrfc]

Bergamot brings up dermatitis on my right hand only, not sure why lol

 

[Alice - 47% Best Answer]

I get a monthly aromatherapy massage, and the lovely person who gives it is allergic to lemon oil. So, it's not uncommon to treat folk avoiding things that you can't come into contact with.

Ava x

 

[Wapscoppy]

When you had a reaction to the tea tree oil what did you put on it?
i ask this as i have a father in law who refuses to go the doctor's and uses tea tree on everything.
anyway he had a skin problem on his arm and poored neat tea tree oil all over it, then had a reaction to the tea tree so made it a lot worse then added more tea tree so it looks bad, anyway he thought tea tree was safe.
He now asks me the aromatherapist what to do, when i explaned how some people can have a reaction to esssentiol oils he was supprised.
I think people just think essential oils are fine and they can do what they like with them and don't see the problem.
So what did you put on your skin when you had the reaction??
Thanks

 

[3456]

I think I just kept my head down, hoping no one would notice the big red blob on my face, while I waited for it to go away. One thing I definitely didn't do was put more tea tree oil on it!

 

[eagledreams]

As it is an allergic reaction he might like to try antihistamine cream, maybe in a tiny corner first to see if it helps and if it does, then over the area. Antihistamine tablets are another option.

Hope it settles soon. Oh, and tell him to avoid it from now on!

 

[Justice Sahbi]

You're right, Caroline - I did try antihistamines! I tried cream and tablets, but I'm not sure how much good they did.

Can't believe I forgot that...