Is it safe to use Tee Tree Oil and LMax5 while pregnant? Thanks!
Tea tree oil is no problem because you are spot dabbing and using very small amounts. For LMX 5%, the obvious needs to be stated: Do not use EMLA, LMX, LMAx 5, etc., if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor says it is safe.
The ingredients in these products, mainly lidocaine, have been used for many years and no ill effects have been shown if they were used while you are pregnant. Only very small amounts of EMLA, LMX, LMax5, etc., get into the blood so even though your baby can take in these products from breast milk if you are breastfeeding, it is unlikely to cause any problems.
The above is the information I have on file about EMLA, which is in the same family of the the topical you are asking about, but ask your doctor about the risks while using this medication if you are pregnant or later on, breastfeeding. Ask your pharmacist as well. It always boils down to that and of course, your inner instincts.
Dee
Dear want2bclear:
We do skin care here too and there are many essential oils that we do not use on pregnant clients and one of them is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is an antiandrogenic and can disrupt sex-steroid signaling pathways that results in increased estrogen action. Also, tea tree oil can decrease pregnancy contractions. We also do not use it on prepubescent boys as studies show it results in the development of breast tissue.
BTW, I like tea tree oil very much as electrolysis aftercare, especially for clients with oily skin as long as they are not in the above noted populations.
Thank you!!! Now I wonder…should I get pregnant in the next few months, what do you suggest for helping to numb the area (“brazilian area” only) and for aftercare? I do not find the pain unbareable, but I certainly don’t want to have to give something up that I don’t have too. Thank you for the advice on the Tea Tree Oil! I wouldn’t use that for sure!
I’ll butt in for a second. Aloe vera and witch hazel are a couple of my faves. However, I didn’t know Tea Tree Oil was an anti-androgenic–nobody ever told me that–but my boy turned out all boy. Tea Tree oil didn’t affect that pregnancy or breast feeding either one. I guess better safe than sorry, but I’d guess that unless you drank the stuff, it’s probably so mild as to be inert as far as pregnancies go. Aloe and witch hazel will keep you on the safe side, anyway.
Please note that my post was referring to using tea tree topically. Orally, it is toxic.
I know it is. I was being sort of sarcastic. Nobody drinks it (I hope). I just didn’t have any problem with it in my pregnancy, and my son is very much a boy. I didn’t know about the anti-androgenic effects. I wonder if that would slow down hair growth though? Could it be used for that as well as for healing?
Let’s advance this subject a little.
As far as the that study goes on pre-pubertal boys. Here’s the low-down on that 2007 report:
“A case study reported in a recent publication showed a possible association between repeated topical application of products containing lavender oil with prepubertal gynecomastia (abnormal breast development in young boys). The study involved just three individuals. All three cases included the use of lavender oil. In one of the three cases, a product was used that contained lavender oil as well as tea tree oil, and other ingredients. The prepubertal gynecomastia reversed after discontinuing use of products containing lavender oil. In the same paper, results from cell culture assays indicated that both essential oils exhibit weak estrogenic properties. Researchers indicated that other components in these products may also have contributed to the gynecomastia, but those components were not yet tested. Researchers also noted that estrogenic activities have also been reported for many other commonly used essential oils as well as foods such as almonds and peanuts.[19] Other articles have cast doubt as to the conclusions of the article and dismissed the study as having used “poor methodology”.[20][21]”
Here are some citations.
Henley D, Lipson N, Korach K, Bloch C (2007). “Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils”. N Engl J Med 356 (5): 479-85. PMID 17267908.
"Essential Oils Not Linked to Breast Growth in Young Boys
February 20, 2007
Essential Oils Not Linked to Breast Growth in Young Boys
Ojai, CA., February 20, 2007 /SOAPWIRE/ – Recent media comments about lavender and tea tree oils causing breast growth in young boys (prepubertal gynecomastia) have grossly exaggerated the risks. Three cases (all, curiously, in Denver, Colorado) are cited in the New England Journal of Medicine which young boys experienced enlarged breast tissue, and all were allegedly using products containing lavender oil.
One was allegedly also exposed to tea tree oil. However, none of the products were analyzed by the researchers to ascertain whether they did in fact contain lavender or tea tree oil. Even if they did, we do not know whether they contained sufficient quantities to have a physiological effect.
Derek Henley, who authored the research on which these reports are based, has said there is “not enough evidence to suggest people should stop using products containing these essential oils, even young boys”, and that no firm conclusions can be drawn.
The details given about the cases are sketchy, but there is good reason to believe that tea tree oil could not have had any effect at all and that, in another case, lavender oil could not have caused gynecomastia. Further, the researchers failed to check for chemical hormone disruptors, such as parabens, pesticides and phthalates, that may have been in the products concerned.
Laboratory testing did show evidence that both essential oils had an estrogen-like action, and this had not been previously reported. However, it cannot be assumed that the same will happen in humans. Any correlation between the laboratory testing and the three cases in question is at best circumstantial.
Prepubertal gynecomastia is an extremely rare condition. Both lavender and tea tree oil are present in aromatherapy cosmetics used by millions of people, who should be assured that they can continue to use them safely."
Likewise, it appears that spot dabbing a little tea tree oil on a small area for three nights in total is far less risky than sitting in 5 o’clock traffic sniffing car fumes. I’m only thinking in practicalities, that’s where one’s reasoning and gut instincts need to enter the picture.
Tea tree oil, in Western medicine, relies on anecdotal reports to fill in the knowledge gaps. More research is necessary, particulary randomized, double blind, controlled trials to establish how effective and safe tea tree oil is for the double digit conditions it is suppose to be good for. It’s been used for thousands of years, if that carries any weight. On the particular brands of tee trea oil I have purchased, there is not one warning on the label about cautioning pregnant/breastfeeding women. Maybe it should?? Why doesn’t it if it is so harmful?? One bottle states to keep it out of reach from childern and pets.
Dee
So if I rub lavender and tea tree oil on my… will they get bigger? 
Thanks for that Dee. Apparently this has nothing to do with facial or body hair. And it appears that even if it did affect a boy, it would reverse after ceasing using it.
That’s interesting stuff. I’m going to look that up some more just for the heck of it.
ooOOO-WEE! I think you should eat some almonds and peanuts five times a day to cover all bases.
Actually, I had to come back and say that I am not making light of the tea tree oil information. It may be important. One study, on three little boys in Colorado, concluding that certain essential oils may interfer with hormone receptors, doesn’t really raise my attennae more than an inch.
I remember reading that ingesting over 4 oz. of tea tree oil induces a temporary coma. Buschmen in Australia do this on purpose in order to get up to 4 days worth of restful restorative healing down time.
So, basically, I am back to where I started ! 
I guess I will cross that bridge when I get to it. Hopefully my doctor won’t confuse me!
Not to put doctors down, but I seriously doubt if most doctors, whether they be OB’s or family practitioners, would know the answer to the tea tree question. Perhaps an alternative medicine specialist would.
Everything done by or for pregnant women is scrutinized, as it should be. Every one wants a healthy baby. It is always said, “Ask your doctor before…”, however, I believe that no physician can be expected to firmly say yes or no about many things related to natural or herbal products, especially when they need to well-versed about critical things like placenta previa and premature labor. So give your physician a break if he or she looks at you crossed-eyed when you ask about applying tea tree oil in micro-dabs to an area for three nights after electrolysis.
Dee
Originally Posted By: CoffeeGal
“So if I rub lavender and tea tree oil on my… will they get bigger?”
Dear CoffeeGal,
If you were a prepubescent boy, they might indeed.
Dear want2bclear,
Your question was about a pregnant person using tea tree oil and LMax5. From what I have read, no, it is not okay. If you look hard enough, you could find the research to support anything.
Good luck,
Well, found this about the tea tree and lavender oils:
I also read that if you use tea tree oil during childbirth, it can slow or stop the contractions! But seriously. Who, while giving birth, is going to say, “Pardon me a moment while I dab on some tea tree oil.” ??
Obviously this stuff is way more potent than I ever imagined. If you’re pregnant and have athlete’s foot or ringworm, find something else to cure it besides tea tree oil, even though it works great.
I assume breathing in these things is okay. We do that with colds, here.