Guide To The Potential Side Effects Of Tea Tree Oil
One of the most popular essential oils is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil comes from a native Australian tree and has been used in Aboriginal medicine for thousands of years. Tea tree oil can serve several purposes, including promoting the health of an individual's nails, hair, and skin. However, tea tree oil is also very potent and potentially toxic. Individuals should never ingest tea tree oil, and they should be aware it can have side effects if it is not diluted well enough. Individuals should always use tea tree oil as directed. They should never use it around pets, even in a diffuser, as it is highly toxic to dogs, cats, and other animals.
Some individuals have used tea tree oil for tooth pain. There are also many options for a tea tree oil acne spot treatment. In addition, patients may find tea tree oil as an ingredient in commercial skin clearing facial wash products. Other individuals will find this essential oil in their shampoo or conditioner for fragrance. Tea tree-based shampoo can benefit the health of their hair as well. However, individuals should understand the side effects of this essential oil first.
Scaly Or Dry Skin
If individuals apply tea tree oil to their skin, they may experience skin irritation. Tea tree oil is a potent substance that will irritate or harm the skin if it is not diluted properly. Even a few drops of tea tree oil in a quart or gallon of water can be very potent. Thus, it is clear that individuals do not need much of it. Individuals are more likely to develop dryness and scaling if they use tea tree oil in higher concentrations. Dry skin occurs when there is not enough moisture on the skin, which causes it to become itchy, cracked, and scaled.
There are dozens of causes of dry skin. Thus, if individuals notice their skin is scaled or dry in places they did not apply the tea tree oil, the oil might not be the culprit. However, if the patches of scaling or dryness are appearing exclusively in places treated with the oil, individuals may need to use a more diluted concentration in the future.
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Itching Or Burning Sensations
Itching and burning sensations can occur when individuals use tea tree oil that has not been diluted well enough. These sensations might start very shortly after applying the oil, although some individuals experience a delayed reaction. If individuals experience painful sensations like burning or itching after putting anything new on their skin, it is a sign they should wash it off. Individuals should remove the oil and try not to scratch their skin too much. If they do scratch and get the oil on their fingertips, they must wash their hands as well.
Burning and stinging sensations are cause for concern because they indicate the skin is being harmed. If the burning is severe, individuals should get in contact with a doctor right away. However, if the burning is only mild, their best bet is to wash the affected area thoroughly and use at-home remedies for any lingering sensation. Some skin irritation might be treated with certain lotions or ointments. Individuals with sensitive skin are more likely to experience burning or itching as a result of essential oil use.
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Dermatitis
Dermatitis may occur in some individuals who use tea tree oil. This is an allergic reaction that appears on the skin after contact with an allergen. Allergic contact dermatitis tends to create rashes that are itchy, swollen, and red. If an individual has never used tea tree oil before, they should test it on a mall patch of skin to be sure they are not allergic. Some individuals will experience allergic contact dermatitis if they use improperly stored or older tea tree oil, even if they have used tea tree oil successfully in the past.
It is always important to store essential oils in the right conditions. If they get too hot or are exposed to other hazards, individuals should not continue using them. Individuals are more likely to react badly to tea tree oil if it is expired or improperly stored. However, some are also allergic to fresh tea tree oil, which is why testing it first is so important. Allergic contact dermatitis is more likely to occur in those with sensitive skin. The reactions may be more serious if the oil is not diluted well enough.
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Headache
Tea tree oil is not always applied to the skin. It can also be used in a diffuser for aromatherapy. The diffuser creates steam with small particles of the oil in it. They are meant to help individuals relax when they inhale the steam. Individuals should never use diffused tea tree oil in a household with cats or dogs, as this essential oil can be dangerous for them to inhale. They should also limit the amount of time they spend inhaling tea tree oil, as breathing in too much of the oil, or being exposed to it for too long, can cause a variety of physical symptoms. One of the most common is a headache.
Most headaches are mild, and they should dissipate after spending some time in the fresh air. If individuals notice they are getting a headache, they should turn the diffuser off. They should then open a window or move to another room. If the headache is severe and does not go away after the individual has not been breathing in the oil, they may need to see a doctor.
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Nausea
Nausea is another effect of inhaling too much tea tree oil for too long. This symptom will often accompany a headache and a feeling of dizziness or vertigo. The nausea caused by inhaling tea tree oil may make individuals feel like they want to throw up. It will often subside after they get some fresh air, similarly to a diffuser-induced headache. The nausea is the body's way of alerting an individual to the fact they are being exposed to too much of a potentially toxic substance.
If individuals start feeling nauseous and dizzy around their diffuser, they should stop using tea tree oil in it. This is especially important if it happens on a regular basis. Aromatherapy is not effective if it is making individuals feel sick. Those who experience nausea should keep an eye on it after they stop inhaling the oil to make sure they stabilize.
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Ataxia
It is clear that individuals should never take tea tree oil orally or accidentally swallow it. It is, after all, toxic in certain amounts. If individuals do swallow tea tree oil, one of the side effects that they may deal with is ataxia. Ataxia refers to the loss of muscle control as well as the coordination of voluntary movements. Individuals who have this side effect often have trouble picking up various objects. Walking can become hard to do as well. Some individuals may have trouble with eye movements, swallowing, and speech as parts of ataxia as well.
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Confusion
Confusion is another potential side effect of ingesting tea tree oil, both if it happens on purpose or by accident. Of course, the risk of this side effect increases as the amount of tea tree oil ingested does as well. In other words, the more tea tree oil that individuals ingest, the more likely they are to experience side effects like confusion. This side effect makes individuals feel as if they cannot think clearly and have a hard time making concrete decisions. Confusion can progress to delirium in extreme cases. This is a particularly serious side effect of tea tree oil and patients should seek immediate medical attention.
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Vertigo
Many individuals use tea tree oil when they are engaging in aromatherapy. This often means that they put some of the tea tree oil in a diffuser. Aromatherapy, including when individuals use tea tree oil, can be quite effective. However, inhaling significant amounts of tea tree oil or doing so for long periods can trigger side effects like vertigo. Vertigo is a form of dizziness in which individuals feel as if the room is spinning around them. Others may describe vertigo as feeling as if their head is spinning. In both cases, it is not a pleasant side effect. Individuals dealing with vertigo should stop inhaling tea tree oil and get some fresh air.
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Drowsiness
Drowsiness is another potential side effect of ingesting tea tree oil. Of course, drowsiness refers to feeling more tired than usual during the day. This side effect does not typically appear right away after individuals ingest tea tree oil, though it can begin to set in within a few hours. Excessive drowsiness is an indicator that individuals have overdosed on tea tree oil. They should call for emergency medical attention if this happens to them, as ingesting too much tea tree oil can be fatal if they do not receive treatment quickly.
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Loss Of Consciousness
As mentioned multiple times, ingesting tea tree oil can be toxic and may even be fatal if individuals ingest enough or do not receive prompt treatment. One of the side effects linked to ingesting tea tree oil is a loss of consciousness. However, this side effect of ingesting tea tree oil often begins as a progressive decrease in an individual’s level of consciousness. Individuals do not suddenly experience a loss of consciousness, as there is a lead up to it. Some individuals who ingest tea tree oil will only be unconscious for a few seconds. This is often referred to as fainting. Others can deal with a loss of consciousness for extended periods. If this happens, loved ones should call for emergency medical attention.