Table of contents:
- Recognize gynecomastia in men
- The side effects of essential oils have the potential to cause gynecomastia
- What parents need to pay attention to in choosing products for children
Have you ever used essential oils? Well, essential oils do have various types and many benefits. For example, lavender oil is popular as an aromatherapy and tea tree oil effective for eradicating acne. Although the benefits of essential oils are abundant, research shows that the side effects of these essential oils can potentially cause gynecomastia in boys.
What is gynecomastia and how can it cause this condition? Check out the following reviews.
Recognize gynecomastia in men
Gynecomastia is a condition where the breasts are abnormally enlarged in men. Although men and women have breast glands, they are different in size. Women's breasts will enlarge after entering puberty, while men do not. This condition can occur in newborn boys, boys during puberty, and older men.
This breast enlargement is not caused by excess fat due to being overweight. Rather, it arises because of additional breast tissue. So, even if people who have this condition have lost weight, the tissue in the breasts will not decrease.
The appearance of gynecomastia is caused by an imbalance between the sex hormones, namely testosterone and estrogen. Women tend to have more of the hormone estrogen, while men tend to have more testosterone. However, men with gynecomastia have higher levels of the hormone estrogen, which can lead to a larger breast size.
In addition, the use of certain drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants, anabolic steroids, and other drugs can trigger gynecomastia.
The side effects of essential oils have the potential to cause gynecomastia
It turns out that the cause of gynecomastia is not only limited to the use of certain drugs, but also essential oils. Reporting from the Health Line, a study conducted by J. Tayler Ramsey and colleagues at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) states that the side effects of essential oils, especially lavender oil and tea tree oil can cause gynecomastia in boys.
In the study found three boys who had gynecomastia due to exposure to lavender oil and tea tree oil . This condition most likely occurs due to a disruption in the endocrine system in producing hormones. All three patients tended to use lavender oil products and tea tree oil on the body directly and repeatedly, not mixed with water.
The chemicals contained in these essential oils are estrogenic and antiandrogenic, which can cause higher estrogen levels. This condition can increase the risk of boys experiencing breast enlargement. Some of the ingredients in lavender oil and tea tree oil that are likely to disrupt hormones include:
- eucalyptol
- 4-terpineol
- dipentene / limonene
- alpha terpineol
- linalyl acetate
- linalool
- alpha-terpinene
- gamma-terpinene
What parents need to pay attention to in choosing products for children
Although essential oils like lavender oil and tea tree oil are made from natural ingredients. This does not mean that this oil is safe for use by children. So, parents must choose and understand the side effects of any product used by the child. Apart from disrupting hormones, another possible side effect that commonly occurs is triggering asthma and allergies in children.
Gynecomastia is not really a serious problem. However, it can affect the child's mental state, such as losing self-confidence due to shame with the condition of his body. This of course will not be good for growth and development.
Immediately do a health check if the child has swollen breasts, nipples and areola (the dark area that surrounds the nipple) which slowly creases and often complains of pain in one or both breasts
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