tea tree oil

DoulaKaren · 05-06-2007, 03:24 PM

A friend of mine is about 18 weeks along, and she used some tea tree oil (1/4 to 1/8 cup apricot or olive oil, to about 5 drops of tea tree oil) for treatment of her older son's cradle cap. She is now worried about it not being safe for use in pregnancy. From what I have been able to find, it should be fine for her and her fetus given the small concentrations and the fact that she wasn't using it on herself (although I did read that it can goof around with hormone levels and cause breast swelling in males so that perhaps just olive or apricot oil for the cradle cap would be in order for a while!). However I'm not up on these sorts of things so I was hoping one of you might know more than I?

GoodBirthingAsh · 05-07-2007, 02:04 AM

I used it a bit topically during pregnancy and experienced no ill effects.

(Although I'm wondering why anyone might want to use TTO for cradle cap, since it's caused by hormones (not fungus or infection) and TTO is rather strong, especially for infants.

)

DoulaKaren · 05-07-2007, 08:09 AM

I have no idea why she is using it for cradle cap, actually -- I always just used olive oil and it did the trick. Her son is going on 3 but I guess he's had some persistent issues with his skin

See? That's why I posted here -- I didn't know enough about TTO to wonder why she was using it for cradle cap!

GoodBirthingAsh · 05-07-2007, 03:02 PM

hmmm...

Well, here's our experience if it helps any. My dd has eczema, and so I'm picky about what I wash her skin with since it's easily irritated. I use the mild Bronner's sometimes if she's really icky, but mostly nothing at all. Eventually, I noticed some cradle cap-like buildup on her scalp since it's hard to get to and I don't use shampoo on her head.

Do you think that might be the cause of his "cradle cap"?

I've now started massaging her scalp with highly diluted mild Bronner's or baking soda once a week or so, and that seems to take care of it!

WaterMoon · 05-07-2007, 09:26 PM

I agree, Tea Tree Oil is way too strong for baby skin. It is not harmful when used lighty during pregnancy.

1stimestar · 05-08-2007, 01:28 AM

Cradle cap is an excess of built up salts and other unneccassaries expelled by the body. A simple washing of the head under the kitchen faucet a couple of times a day will clear up most cradle cap within a couple of days. If it is more severe then dip your pinky finger into some baby shampoo only up to the first knuckle and use that amount to wash baby's scalp. You do not want to use a lot of soap when doing this as you don't want to dry out the baby's skin. You just want to wash off the build up that is excreted through the scalp until baby's organs start functioning more efficiently and can process the excess "stuff" in that way.

GoodBirthingAsh · 05-08-2007, 11:26 AM

There's actually a difference between newborn cradle cap (likely caused by hormones passed from her body to the babe's, causing overactive sebaceous glands in the infant's skin) and simple dirty toddler head, which is what your friend's baby seems to have there.

If your friend's child has a skin condition like eczema, I strongly recommend NOT washing it several times a day, as any action on the child's head triggers a rash. The more you touch eczema, the worse it gets.

HamiltonBirthRevolution · 05-08-2007, 11:52 AM

My son actually has a similar sort of thing going on with his scalp. Right at the top of his head, there is a dry/cradle cap-like patch. He washes his hair about once per week, sometimes a couple times, but certainly not enough to lead to overdrying. And, at 4, his hair is long/thick enough that scratching/lifting it off is a pain.

He doesn't have any other skin conditions that we know about.

Weird.

skyyogastudio · 05-12-2007, 10:44 PM

We use TTO as a cleaner, and I have never read anything about it regarding serious pregnancy no-nos (like stimulating labor, etc).
My son had cradle cap until he was about 4, it was terrible because he would pick at it sometimes. Someone suggested getting a soft nail brush and lathering up his head with shampoo and then gently using the brush across the top of his head, this worked - one time in the bath and it was all gone, never to return (for the last 2 years at least so far).

MyDreamDoula · 05-12-2007, 11:15 PM

TTO is so universal and awesome for all sorts of problems. I saw in one of my files a recipe for cradle cap that included TTO. hmmmm

mammamayI · 05-26-2007, 10:46 PM

I JUST read this evening that: "...a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, or cradle cap, which is characterized by a dry, scaly scalp, may occur as a result of biotin deficiency...sufficient quantities are needed for healthy hair and skin...biotin is found in brewer's yeast, cooked egg yolks, meat, milk, poultry, saltwater fish, soybeans, and whole grains." from Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by Phyllis Balch

I looked in Hales, by the way, and they don't list a pregnancy risk. My mom is also a cosmotologist. I have psoriosys (I know I spelled that wrong, sorry!)and sometimes eczema on my scalp (also signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, by the way, on top of stress and allergies!), and she gave me Paul Mitchell's TTO Shampoo to use. I used it once a week during both of my pregnancies and both my kids are just fine. Actually, we use it to clean with and it doesn't affect my asthmatic children at all, whereas other chemicals would. I know that none of that really gives you the hard proof you want...but anecdotal evidence it is!

Neshama · 05-28-2007, 06:16 PM

wow... I dont think I've read a thread with such different advice! haha...
interesting info, ladies... *off to research more*