Essential Oils And Skin Issues - For You And Your Animals
Skin - An Amazing Organism
"I have tried everything on this skin problem and nothing works!" Have you ever uttered these words or heard someone say them? I have, many times, and my first response is, "Have you tried essential oils?"
The skin is a very complex organism. It is the body's largest organ, covering its entire external surface. It comprises three layers—the epidermis, dermis, and subcutis/hypodermis - with different anatomical structures and functions.
The outermost layer of a human, dog or horse's skin is the epidermis, which is avascular, meaning it lacks blood vessels. The epidermis is where you will find the major epidermal appendages, such as hair, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sweat glands. Note these appendages also extend down to the dermis.
The dermis is the thickest central layer, providing the skin with most of its bulk. It comprises connective tissue fibers, consisting of 90% collagen, the principal protein constituent of the dermis, and 10% elastin, providing the skin with suppleness and elasticity.
Finally, the skin's third and innermost layer is the subcutis, also called hypodermis. The subcutis comprises fat cells and thin strands of collagen-containing connective tissue. Within this layer, the nerves and blood vessels supplying the skin weave through the strands of connective tissue to reach the dermis above it.
This intricate composition of cells, tissues, chemicals, blood, nerves and energy is called Skin. It has one of the most important jobs of the body - protector. The superficial layer of the epidermis, with its highly developed, tough, durable, flexible membrane, acts as a chemical and waterproofing structure. The skin protects from the sun's rays, and it regulates temperature through its sweating mechanism. The skin communicates the well-being of your, your horse's, and your dog's health. It is a vital sensory organ that provides information about the conditions in our surrounding environment.
Specific skin issues might inflict you, your horse, or your dog at some point in your lifetime due to the surrounding environment or stress on the immune system—for example, bacterial skin diseases, rain rot, or scratches. There are fungal skin diseases such as ringworm and parasitic skin diseases that include mange (scabies), lice and midline dermatitis. There are also fundamental skin issues such as saddle sores, sarcoids (benign skin tumors), dandruff, photosensitization, itchy skin and allergic skin reactions, eczema, hot spots, hives and sweet itch (an allergic reaction to the bites of tiny insects belonging to the genus Culicoides, midges, no-see-ums).
Essential Oils - How They Help With Skin Issues
What is an essential oil? Essential oils are derived by extracting the plant's volatiles/secondary metabolites through hydrodistillation or cold expression from the plant's part, such as fresh flowering tops, leaves, rinds, berries, resin, seeds, and bark, producing the essential oil and its chemical composition. Essential oils are composed of approximately 20–60 chemical constituents at different concentrations, but some may contain more than 300 different substances. Two or three chemical constituents are usually present in large proportions (20–70%) compared to other constituents present in smaller concentrations.
Essential oils can assist in healing skin issues. Because of their small and simple molecular structure, it is easy for them to pass through the skin. Essential oils enter the body through the skin via the ducts of the sweat glands and hair follicles. The skin produces sebum (a protective layer of oily wax) and essential oils absorb into fatty substances; therefore, they absorb readily into the sebum. Once through this layer, they enter the bloodstream and pass through the rest of the body. Thus, the healing process begins.
When working with essential oils and skin problems, you want to look for oils with specific skin healing properties. The properties to look for are:
Cicatrisant: healing agents for burns, cuts, and scars. Examples: Lavender, Helichrysum, Tea tree, Rose, Neroli, Frankincense, and Geranium
Analgesic: deadens pain. Examples are Lavender, German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile
Antiseptic: prevents the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. Examples are Lavender, Helichrysum, Tea Tree
Anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation (redness, swelling, and pain). Examples are German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Lavender and Yarrow
Vulnerary: an agent that helps heal wounds and sores by external application. Examples are Tea tree, Lavender
Fungicidal: destroys fungi or inhibits the growth of fungi. Examples are Patchouli, Helichrysum, Tea Tree
The oils listed above have notable healing effects on skin problems. When working with essential oils, you should consider the quality of the oil and its safety factors. Essential oils present little risk if used sensibly and follow the correct professional guidelines. It is necessary to acquire high-quality oils from a reputable supplier. Always dilute essential oils into a carefully formulated base and use the appropriate amount of the oils to create your blend. Following this guideline can help prevent safety concerns such as skin irritation, sensitization, and oral toxicity can be avoided. When working with essential oils, you should always consult your veterinarian about the condition you want to treat and consult a certified essential oils specialist who is knowledgeable about and experienced with essential oils.
Over the years, situations have occurred with my animals, family and friends who needed help with various skin issues. As a result, I developed and number of essential oils products to help with these skin issues. A few examples are Pete's Equine Remedy, named after my horse Pete, who had a tail rubbing problem; Jake's Canine Remedy, named in memory of our dog Jake, who was given a heavy dose of steroids for a hot spot and passed away from kidney failure form the steroid shot. Other skin products created for various skin issue needs are Healing Gel, Healing Balm, Facial Gel, Facial Mist, Sophie's Feline Remedy and Too Much Sun. These products work on all types of skin problems. People and veterinarians who have used these products have commented that what they like about them is that they work and heal from the inside out.
Essential oils are a viable alternative to treating skin issues. When used properly, they can treat skin issues internally and externally with a topical application. So the next time you think or hear, "Nothing works," remember there may be an essential oil to the rescue.
Fun and Interesting Comparisons of Dog, Horse and Human Skin
Dogs: The epidermis is the body's environmental shield that protects against injury, disease, and damage from ultraviolet light. A Canine's epidermis has a turnover rate of 20 days compared to humans, which occurs approximately every 28 days. The epidermis of a dog is 3-5 cells thick; however, in humans, it is at least 10-15 cells thick.
When hair grows in a canine, it grows in bundles. Human hair grows as a solitary hair and continues to grow, unlike dog hair, which grows in cycles. When dog hair reaches a certain length determined by the individual dog's genetic makeup, it stops growing and dies. That's when shedding begins.
Horses: The very top layer of skin, the epidermis, is thinner in horses than in humans. The sensitive pain-detecting part of the skin, the nerve endings, may be closer to the surface, with less protective padding in horses than in humans.
Your horse's hair provides mechanical protection and acts as a filtering system and insulator.