Bad Shampoo for Boys?

Tuesday, July 4, 2006; HE02

The Suspicion A preliminary finding presented at the Endocrine Society's conference last month could prompt parents to read product labels more closely. The unpublished research suggests that shampoos, soaps and body lotions containing lavender and tea tree oils -- commonly added for their aromas and marketing cachet -- may cause hormonal imbalances and breast growth in young boys.

The study was carried out by scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) after a Denver pediatric endocrinologist reported abnormal breast development, known as gynecomastia, in five boys, aged 4 to 7, who used products containing the oils. The symptoms subsided after the boys stopped using the products.

The Test NIEHS researchers Derek Henley and Kenneth Korach tested the effects of lavender and tea tree oils on human breast cancer cells. They found that both oils mimicked estrogen (a hormone that promotes the development of female breasts) while reducing the activity of androgens, which inhibit such growth. "Boys are getting a double hit," said Korach, who added that this hormonal imbalance may explain the Denver cases.

The Caveat Steven Dentali, vice president of scientific and technical affairs for the American Herbal Products Association, a trade group, said it's premature to worry, given the paucity of clinical evidence and many questions that the lab work left unanswered. Still unknown, he said, are the tolerable limits of use and the specific compound in these oils that may be producing the observed effects.

While they acknowledged that more studies are needed, the NIEHS investigators said they hoped their preliminary research would alert doctors and parents to the possible association. They advised parents to discuss any fears about herbal oils with their pediatrician. Parents who notice potentially related symptoms in their boys should also report them promptly to their physician.

-- Jeffrey G. Ghassemi
© 2006 The Washington Post Company

Those of you who use these products (Melaluca for one) on young boys may want to rethink their use.

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~*JAMI*~ GO RED SOX! WORLD CHAMPIONS!

I also read some where that flax seed oil and soy has these kinds of effects on boys as well.

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formally~momof2crazyboys

I don't know about lavendar, but I know that tea tree isn't safe for kids, especially in it's purest form.

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Oh that is just great . I was just looking for tea tree oil to make that cleaner someone posted on the old board. Now I'm not sure I will.

UGH!

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Debbie

"Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves." --Benjamin Franklin

Ugh I buy Lavendar everything!

It's speaking of soaps, shampoos, and lotions so a cleaner would most likely be fine.

My doc asked "why put anything on a baby? Even lotion, why lotion at all? I said "don't they need it?" The doc said, "no they are born capable of their skin regulating oils, they don't need it. I wouldn't ever put scented anything on a baby less than at least one year."

Baby powder was banned in the nursery and NICU at the hospital too b/c "it causes breathing problems in infants b/c the talc is so fine you can't help but breathe some in."

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* Let it not be said that no one cared, that no one objected once it's realized that our liberties and wealth are in jeopardy.

~Ron Paul

"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."
- James Madison

I would bet tea tree oil in cleaners wouldn't effect boys because it's not going to be absorbed by their skin. I would just stay away from the shampoos, lotions, etc.

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~*JAMI*~ GO RED SOX! WORLD CHAMPIONS!