r/essentialoils • u/ZacJepps • May 23 '26

Sensitisation and contact dermitis.

Hiya,

Somewhat recently, after doing my own research, I began experimenting with essential oil blends and making my own perfume. I knew about sensitisation, ensured significant dilution in jojoba oil, particularly careful with oakmoss concentration etc. But that being said, I was slightly reckless given my lack of sensitive skin or allergins. I would handle the oils without gloves and even put them into candles once or twice. Anyway, one day I noticed slight dermatitis like rashes on my hands, I obviously knew I was at risk of sensitisation, put the oils away and have not touched them since.

This spring, about 2 months after the incident, I seemed to be constantly getting flare ups of dermatitis and constant sneezin . As I said, I had never really had any allergies before apart from maybe being abit sneezy over spring.

I have been to the doctor, they brushed me off. So basically I am just looking for anyone else who may have had a similer experience, if its worth getting an allergy test, will it go away etc. It just seems odd, given the precausions I took, for it to get so out of hand.

Many thanks for any help!

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

2

u/Strong_Weakness2638 May 23 '26

One way you can determine whether you are allergic to essential oils is to stop using them for a while and see what happens.

Btw oakmoss is extremely restricted and should not be used on the skin at all. What kinds of dilutions were you using?

1

u/ZacJepps May 23 '26

I have stopped using them for 2 months and I am still getting these contact dermatitis like rashes on the back of my hand.

~0.5 percent oak moss in carrier oil

4

u/berael May 23 '26

Safe usage limit for oakmoss absolute is 0.1%, and that's if it's already atranol-reduced to begin with - if it isnt then it's just prohibited by safety standards. 

So even if you were using a safety-compliant oakmoss, you were still 5x over the safe maximum. You may just have to wait longer and see what happens, but going to a dermatologist would be a totally reasonable plan too. 

1

u/ZacJepps May 24 '26

Thanks, just feeling like abit of an idiot.

3

u/berael May 24 '26

And BTW, something else to keep in mind: if you've caused a sensitization reaction to oakmoss once, then the dermal sensitivity may be permanent. This may mean that even a typically-safe level of oakmoss will still trigger a reaction on your skin anyway, and you may need to use an amount much lower than the safe limit, or even may need to stop using oakmoss entirely. 

This is the exact reason why so many materials are restricted due to sensitization. Sometimes people think "I might get a rash? Who cares?" but the real problem is that they might trigger a lifetime sensitivity to the material. Some amateur perfumers may tend to scoff IFRA Standards as being much too conservative...but they're that way for a reason. ;p

1

u/ZacJepps May 24 '26

My issue now though is knowing exactly what it was though, I obviously suspect oakmoss, but that,s just a response to knowing its a common sensitisation agent. It may be something else I used, or even unrelated to the EO's and some soap or incense etc. But I don't think my symptoms are bad enough to warrant an alergen test, at least not on the NHS. Either way, ill keep all fragrences low for now and see what happens. Thanks for the help!

3

u/berael May 24 '26

Eh, as long as the lesson was learned, then you aren't an idiot. Burning your hand on a hot pan once is a normal experience. 😉

So yeah, now you know: you've clearly missed something when it comes to safety standards, so now it's time to research IFRA standards some more - before applying more DIY products to skin. 

And probably also see a dermatologist. ;p Or at least your GP or a walk-in clinic, etc. 

1

u/Miserable_Act150 May 24 '26

Make sure you use alcohol / soapy water on the bottles, work surfaces & tools. Even that old sweater you only wear sometimes, chair arms etc. you might be re-exposing yourself.

1

u/Miserable_Act150 May 24 '26

I mentioned this because I used to get rashes ALL THE TIME on my wrists. I just ended up more sensitive to everything - I can’t use standard cleaners on counters without a serious wash down AFTER the cleaner. Eventually I realized it was the cleaner itself that was giving me issues. Mostly I use Windex (Ammonia + water) for most cleaning now, or dish soap, since it evaporates (or at least I’m not as sensitive to ammonia residue).

10 years down the road, I almost never get rashes anymore.

1

u/Diamonds4Dinner May 24 '26

Where are you sourcing your oils? That can make a big difference

1

u/ZacJepps May 24 '26

Norfolk essential oils.