Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass oil is an essential oil and fragrance used in a variety of products such as personal care products, flavorings, and perfumes. The oil is derived from the tropical lemongrass plant native to parts of Asia, especially common in India. 

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 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 cosmetic 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 health care provider has diagnosed you with oral or lip allergies, it would be best to avoid foods with lemongrass oil.