What is it?
Lemongrass oil is an essential oil and fragrance used in a variety of products such as personal care products, flavorings,
and perfumes.
 
How can I avoid it?
Skin contact with lemongrass oil is required for it to cause a rash. Discontinuation of exposure to products containing lemongrass oil should result in improvement and/or the resolution of your dermatitis. By law, all products made in the U.S. for topical use have the ingredients listed either on the product package or the box that contains it, so check the labeling of your skin care products for this ingredient. If there is not enough information, ask your pharmacist or retailer, or contact the manufacturer directly. At work, request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to help identify potential sources of exposure.

The avoidance of fragrances and flavoring agents such as lemongrass oil can be difficult since so many everyday products contain these substances. One should use only fragrance-free cosmetics and household products. “Unscented” products may contain low levels of a fragrance to cover up an undesirable odor and also should be avoided. Products labeled as “hypoallergenic” do not assure that the product is truly free of fragrance. Cold-pressed lemongrass is phototoxic but steam-distilled lemongrass is not.

Although it is rare, since some fragrances are also flavors, foods containing lemongrass oil can cause flare-ups of dermatitis in
fragrance-sensitive individuals. If your healthcare provider has diagnosed you with oral or lip allergies, it would be best to avoid
foods with lemongrass oil.

Uses:
• Perfumes/Colognes/After-shaves/Toilet water
• Essential oils
• Skin Care Products/Cosmetics
     Hair care products
     Deodorants
     Soaps/Cleansers/Household detergents
     Shampoos/Conditioners
     Moisturizers/Lotions
     Make-ups
     Massage oils
     Shaving products
     Sunscreens
• Topical medications (prescription and over the counter)
     Anesthetics
     Astringents
     Antiseptics
• Aromatherapy
• Creams, ointments, solutions
• Foot and other powders
• Nasal decongestants
• Traditional Chinese medications
• Wound dressings
• Household products
     Air fresheners/Aromatherapy/Potpourri
     Cleaning Products/Soaps/Detergents (A preferred household cleaner for             fragrance-allergic individuals is dilute white vinegar.)
     Furniture polish
     Laundry care (detergent, softeners)
• Foods
     Teas
     Soups
     Curries
     Candies
     Gum
     Beverages
     Flavoring
     Spice
     Meat/Fish dishes
• Oral Care Products as a flavoring
     Cough mixtures
     Toothpaste/Mouthwash
     Throat tablets and lozenges
• Insect repellents

Other names for lemongrass oil:
• Indian oil of verbena
• Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil
• Cymbopogon citratus oil
• Cymbopogon flexuosus oil
• Oil of lemon grass
• Barbed wire grass
• Silky heads
• Oily heads
• Fever grass

Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
• Geranial
• Neral
• Other fragrances


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How safe is it?

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