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Tea tree oil allergy: What is the offending agent? Report of three cases of tea tree oil allergy and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Rubel Diana M,
Freeman Susanne,
Southwell Ian A
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-0960.1998.tb01482.x
Subject(s) - tea tree oil , medicine , allergy , tree (set theory) , melaleuca alternifolia , traditional medicine , dermatology , food science , immunology , essential oil , combinatorics , mathematics , chemistry
SUMMARY Tea tree oil is currently enjoying popularity as a cureall for a variety of skin conditions, from infections to psoriasis, and many household and personal products containing Melaleuca oil are available. However, despite its chemical complexities and enthusiastic use, there have been only a few reports of allergic reactions lo lea tree oil. At the Skin and Cancer Foundation (Sydney, NSW, Australia), three of 28 normal volunteers tested strongly positive to patch testing with tea tree oil. Following farther patch testing with tea tree oil constituents, all three patients reacted strongly to two preparations containing sesquiterpenoid fractions of the oil. Because patients often neglect to mention that they have used “natural” remedies, it is important that physicians are aware of the potential adverse effects of these products. Furthermore, identification of the allergenic ingredients in lea tree oil may assist the growing industry to produce safer products.