Who should avoid essential oils?
If you have bottles of essential oils at home, consider discarding them safely if you have young children. Otherwise, they must be locked up, out of the sight and reach of children and pets. Because essential oils contain many plant products and chemicals, their application can lead to an irritant contact dermatitis, defined by a direct physical or chemical injury to the epidermis. This reaction typically occurs more quickly after application, as opposed to the delayed reaction associated with an allergy.Whenever essential oils are ‘mixed’ with water without a dispersing agent, there is a risk of irritation, since undiluted droplets of essential oil attach to the skin, often in sensitive areas. Because the oils are warmed up by the water, and also cannot evaporate, they often sting like crazy.That’s why essential oils should not be ingested. Johns hopkins also advises against using essential oil diffusers, small household appliances that create scented vapor. Diffusion in a public area or household with multiple members can affect people differently.