Lavender oil allergy. Can you imagine the oil which is renowned to reduce allergic symptoms and for its soothing properties in aromatherapy will itself trigger allergy?
Is it possible?
Experts say, yes it’s possible. Even pure and highly prominent quality essential oils can cause allergic reaction.
Though organic lavender oil is free from synthetic preservatives, but its high concentration induce hypersensitivity and the reaction triggers. In some people the allergic reaction range from mild and can be prevented if taken proper care by diluting carrier oil.
Unfortunately few sensitive people can’t cope with these nutritional properties. When they topically apply lavender essential oil or products with lavender oil, a skin rash, inflammation or headache can be experienced.
Healing activity of lavender oil enticed cosmetic industries to incorporate it to their products. Most personal care products include this oil, which can stimulate allergic reaction.
Symptoms of Lavender Oil Allergy
According to Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, adverse reaction of immune system is actually caused by specific allergen. When the immune system recognizes harmless substances as a threat, it produces antibodies and then histamines to thwart them out.
The reaction between proteins of lavender oil and histamines leads to different allergic symptoms. Depending on the time, weather, food and ingredients used topically, allergens can be determined, which can be done after diagnosis.
Symptoms include:
- Contact dermatitis
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Skin rashes
- Headache
- Burning sensation in eyes
- Difficulty in breathing
Geraniol, linalool and linalylacetate are recognized as allergens in lavender oil. A study carried out in Japan, shows that 4% of people with cosmetic allergy are sensitive to lavender oil.
A research says that lavender oil isn’t a photosensitizer, but oxygen exposure can make it an irritant. Further study says that linalool (a component in lavender oil) can turn to be cytotoxic and kill skin cells.
Even 0.25% of lavender oil is enough to ruin your life. So you must avoid skin care products which include such irritants.
Apart from topical application, inhaling lavender oil in aromatherapy can trigger similar allergic reaction.
Diagnosis and Prevention
When you experience above mentioned allergic reaction after few hours of using lavender oil then consult doctor for diagnosis. He/she will conduct skin prick test to confirm specific allergen.
To prevent lavender oil allergy, you must avoid massaging this oil, inhaling it through aromatherapy, consuming it when included in foods, cosmetic creams, soaps and lotions with lavender oil.
Skin is the most important and plays vital role in making you look beautiful, there are many blogs online which claim that lavender oil has abundant benefits for skin. But, there is no scientific data to back their theory.
However, there are few anecdotal reports that claim that this essential oil showed excellent results after using. So it’s always recommended to patch test before using any home remedy.
Note: Pregnant women must consult their doctor before proceeding with lavender oil.
Symptoms of lavender oil allergy can be mild, but you shouldn’t ignore. Repeatedly when allergens in the oil react with immune system, they damage your skin and ruin your physical appearance.