Skin irritations will sometimes occur in one individual and not in another and this is because the skin of one might be sensitive to a particular component in the essential oil. Skin irritation happens on the first exposure to the irritation, the reaction is rapid and the severity will depend on the concentration of the irritant present. The skin responds with an inflammatory reaction. So when you see an essential oil with the caution that it may be a skin irritant use it with caution on people with sensitive skins.
Skin sensitization is a type of allergic reaction. The oil may not produce any reaction on the first contact, however once the allergen has penetrated the skin, the body’s immune system reacts to fight off the invader causing a rash on the skin. Sensitization reactions can also take the form of inflammation, breathlessness, nausea or headache. It is actually possible to become sensitized to any essential oil.
Whenever you feel there is a possibility of skin irritation or skin sensitization patch test first.
To patch test a particular oil:
- Place one drop of carrier oil or lotion on your breastbone, or behind your ear.
- Leave for 12 hours.
- If there is no adverse reaction, dilute one drop of the essential oil in half a teaspoon of the carrier oil or lotion, and rub the mix on your breastbone or behind your ear.
- Allow 12 hours for any reaction to show.
- Wash the skin gently with unperfumed soap to remove most of the oils that are on the
surface of the skin. - Expose the skin to air (but not strong sunlight) to encourage the evaporation of the essential oils.
- Essential oils of Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) have been found to counter irritation and sensitisation reactions. They should always be properly diluted in a carrier before application.
My diffuser blend for today: 5 drops grapefruit; 1 drop rose.
1 comments:
Hello. Great job. I did not expect this on a Wednesday. This is a great story. Thanks!
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