Monday, May 15, 2006
Treating Eczema With Tea Tree Oil May Lead To More Problems
ALLERGIC reactions to tea-tree oil are rising as more people mistakenly apply the popular herbal substance undiluted and directly to the skin.
Dermatologists have warned the public to take care when using tea-tree-derived products, which despite their seemingly benign origin have powerful antiseptic properties even at low concentrations.
Tea-tree oil is sold almost pure as an essential oil and is included in many skin and hair products. It is often used to treat sores, cuts and abrasions, even acne.
A study to be presented at a conference of dermatologists in Melbourne today found that the longer the tea-tree oil product was used after opening, the greater its potential for causing skin irritation, as the oil "readily oxidises to become more allergenic".
It is not a substance routinely "patch tested" by allergy specialists who see patients with unexplained dermatitis. But researchers found that of 2320 people tested over five years at one clinic, 41 (1.8 per cent), had a positive reaction. It was deemed the cause of dermatitis in 41 per cent of cases.
Study co-author Rosemary Nixon, of the Skin and Cancer Foundation, said allergy specialists should be aware of tea-tree oil's potential to cause skin rashes.
"We are not saying don't use it - we are just saying it shouldn't be used in a concentrated form and directly applied to the skin," she said. It was an effective antiseptic in concentrations of 5 to 10 per cent, said Dr Nixon.
Dermatologists have warned the public to take care when using tea-tree-derived products, which despite their seemingly benign origin have powerful antiseptic properties even at low concentrations.
Tea-tree oil is sold almost pure as an essential oil and is included in many skin and hair products. It is often used to treat sores, cuts and abrasions, even acne.
A study to be presented at a conference of dermatologists in Melbourne today found that the longer the tea-tree oil product was used after opening, the greater its potential for causing skin irritation, as the oil "readily oxidises to become more allergenic".
It is not a substance routinely "patch tested" by allergy specialists who see patients with unexplained dermatitis. But researchers found that of 2320 people tested over five years at one clinic, 41 (1.8 per cent), had a positive reaction. It was deemed the cause of dermatitis in 41 per cent of cases.
Study co-author Rosemary Nixon, of the Skin and Cancer Foundation, said allergy specialists should be aware of tea-tree oil's potential to cause skin rashes.
"We are not saying don't use it - we are just saying it shouldn't be used in a concentrated form and directly applied to the skin," she said. It was an effective antiseptic in concentrations of 5 to 10 per cent, said Dr Nixon.
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