US EPA

1322661 

Journal Article 

Occupational Allergy to Lavender Oil 

Brandao, FM 

1986 

Yes 

Contact Dermatitis
ISSN: 0105-1873
EISSN: 1600-0536 

NIOSH/00166311 

15 

4 

249-250 

A case of a hairdresser allergic to lavender shampoo was reported. An 18 year old hairdresser developed dry fissured skin on the back of her hands and fingers. She was patch tested with 5 percent nickel-sulfate (7786814) in petrolatum, 1 percent p-phenylenediamine (106503), 1 percent p-toluenediamine (95705), 2.5 percent ammonium-thioglycolate (5421465), 20 percent solution of permanent wave liquid in water, 5 percent lavender shampoo in water, and 1 percent lavender-oil (8000280) in ethanol. All reagents gave strong positive results. The response of the patient was similar to other cases observed among hairdressers. Their prolonged exposure to shampoos usually caused irritant dermatitis which predisposed them to secondary sensitization. An irritant dermatitis suddenly worsened when the person became sensitized to some chemical, such as p-phenylenediamine. Contact dermatitis to shampoos was rare and was most often due to the presence of stabilizers. The allergen in lavender oil contained apparently geraniol, linalool, and linalyl-acetate. The patient was not sensitive to geraniol, formaldehyde, and other formaldehyde releasing preservatives. 

DCN-153048; Humans; Contact dermatitis; Allergens; Occupational dermatitis; Hairdressers; Health hazards; Organic compounds; Alcohols; Plant oils; Preservatives