Why do products containing TEA TREE OIL make eyes produce so much tears?

Question

I recently started using some products containing tea tree oil and a little while after I apply them, my eyes start watering and burning. I was wondering why this happens and if I should be concerned. THANK YOU

Answer 1

A small number of people experience allergic contact dermatitis as a reaction to dermal contact with tea tree oil. In an Italian study of 725 consecutive patients, patients were patch tested with undiluted, 1percent and 0.1percent Tea Tree Oil. For undiluted tea tree oil, nearly 6percent of the patients observed positive reactions of skin irritation. Only 1 of 725 patients observed a positive reaction of skin irritation with the 1percent dilution. None of the 725 patients observed adverse reactions with the 0.1percent dilution. Allergic reactions may be due to the various oxidation products that are formed by exposure of the oil to light and/or air