|
Possible effects of Essential Oil Application to skin. Sensitisation
Some essential oils are described as ‘sensitising’. This means that repeated exposure in an individual may result in an escalating immune response. The immune system may respond mildly to the oil at first but each subsequent application or exposure could produce a more serious and widespread immune reaction. Sensitising oils should be used with extreme care and discontinued immediately if any response is noted. Table 1. Sensitisation Oil Type
| Property
| Advice for topical application
| | Cinnamon bark | extreme contact sensitisation | Never | | Citronella | extreme contact sensitisation | Never | | Clove | contact sensitisation | Caution | | Fir | contact sensitisation | Caution | | Lemongrass | contact sensitisation | Caution | | Melaleuca (All) | contact sensitisation | Caution | | Mountain Savory | contact sensitisation | Caution | | Oregano | contact sensitisation | Caution | | Black Pepper | contact sensitisation | Caution | | Valerian | contact sensitisation | Caution | | Ylang Ylang | contact sensitisation | Caution | Photo-sensitisation
This type of reaction is caused by the interaction of ultraviolet light with an essential oil applied to the skin. Photo-toxic responses may include serious burning, blistering and even scarring. For this reason it is recommended that the photo-sensitising oils are never applied to skin. All citrus oils are both high in monterpenes and photo-sensitising. If a photo-toxic essential oil is applied to skin, the skin should be kept away from sunlight or any other source of UV light for between 3 and 4 days. Table 2. Photo-Sensitising Oils Oil Type
| Property
| Advice for topical application
| | Angelica | Photo-toxic | Never | | Bergamot | Photo-toxic | Never | | Black Cumin | Photo-toxic | Never | | Citronella | Photo-toxic | Never | | Ginger | Photo-toxic | Not recommended | | Lemon | Photo-toxic | Not recommended | | Mandarin | Photo-toxic | Not recommended | | Orange | Photo-toxic | Not recommended | | Tangerine | Photo-toxic | Not recommended | | Grapefruit | Photo-toxic | Not recommended |
|
| * all high in monoterpenes
| |
