Oils & allergies...questions...!

[Bittersweet]

Hi there,
Not sure if this should be under massage or allergies so please feel free to move it..!
I'm studying the ITEC Holistic Massage part time & am reading up on what oils to use. Then I got thinking about allergies.....If someone has a nut allergie should we not use for eg.Almond Oil? & is a nut different to a seed? would Grapeseed Oil be ok? My books don't tell me much but they do say not to use baby oil (which I've been using-ooops!) as it drys the skin...if this is the case then why do we use it on babies?!
Oh & if someone is allergic to wheat then do we avoid wheat oils?...[&:][&:][&:]
I'm confused!
If anyone could shed any light on the matter I would be most grateful!
love & peace [sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]

 

[im l]

Hi Firesprite,

Yes, you are correct. If you have a nut allergy you should avoid nut oils such as almond. If you have a wheat allergy, avoid wheatgerm.
No a nut is not a seed. Grapeseed oil is almost universally onallergenic, although you will find some people who may be sensitive to it.
Baby skin has very different properties to adult skin, in the amount of oil secretions put out during the day, and how hydrated the skin is.

 

[sweetie puffin]

Hi Firesprite

If you remember that oils and essential oils are based on plants, flowers, berries, and some nuts and pulses (beans) it will help you when thnking of peoples allergies as all oils come from these except some baby oils, although even these are being more refined now. Some baby oils come from the original petroleum jelly which is made from petrol (highly refined and purified) or you may have been advised a 'mineral' based oil.

Mineral oils or petroleum based oils are used as a skin barrier cream hence why they are excellent for putting on babies bottoms to prevent nappy rash. As plant and nut oils can be a lot lighter and the essential oils are designed to be absorbed into the skin to nourishand feed the skin both on the surfacebut underneath the skin into the body, which is why you need to know some of the major allergies. If in doubt with a client you can check with your tutor.

As far as how long does an essentialoil remain in the body check with your tutor as it is different for the Top Notes, Middle Notes and Base Notes and all of this information is kinda connected.Your tutormay not have fully covered this information yet as you are just studying massage for now but I'm sure your tutor will point you in the right direction.

 

[K-lee Mae]

Just to note I wouldn't dream of putting standard "baby oil" on a baby! It's mineral oil and I can't see how it would benefit a baby in any way. There are much kinder barrier creams etc if they are needed.

 

[jif]

I agree Trish F. When I was younger and didn't know any better I used the ordinary baby oil but now having qualified I can find plenty of alternatives to use that are healthier. Mineral oils then were far more dense but now I have to say they have refined them to be a lot finer but I still prefer plant or natural oils. My answer to Firesprite was in response to knowing how examination boards would view the description of various and different oils. Besides which so many people use the phrase 'New Age' products but in actual fact (and I'm sure you know this really) products like essential oils have been used for centuries. It is only the general medications we use now that are truely new age if you like......not!!!

I prefer to use any natural form of product I can and one that is widely known andhas been used for some time.