Ok to sniff olbas oil when pregnant? And what about tea tree??

[cremedelacreme]

Sorry, I know this has been done to death, at least I've found some post from a couple of years ago. But there doesn't seem to be a consensus.

So, just wondered, what's the latest advice? I'm using olbas oil (and now tea tree oil, since I ran out of olbas) every night because, well, I find it relaxes me! It started when I had a cold and now I'm a bit addicted, if I'm honest!

I'm assuming it's fine because I'm inhaling, not massaging it directly into my skin (although I use tea tree directly on my terrible hormonal spotty skin three-four times a day!) but would be good to know if anyone has had any advice that it's bad for unborn baby??

To get some reassuring conclusive answers I would ring your MW and/or pharmacist. Boots pharmacist will come on the phone to chat.

I had the same wonder about Vicks so gave em both a ring. The only things they could agree on was steam and paracetamol, but only because everything else hasn't been fully tested and certified rather than it could cause damage. Like I said, I'd ring for peace of mind

I don't mean to alarm you but I was advised at Boots not to use it :( As OrangeGloss said he didn't recommend it because there was not enough research on it but nevertheless told me not to use it - on the other hand the nurse in my surgery said it's OK

I've been suffering from a blocked nose and sinus headaches for 14 weeks now :( and can't use anything according to the guys at boots :(

I was told not to when I had sinusitus(sp?) with DS. Sorry. I spent 3 weeks with my head over steaming bowls of water.

I was told not to as it can make your womb contract apparently! I had really bad sinuses through this pg, I've used those breathe right strips they helped but I ended up on antibiotics cos I got infected!

Beesok- have you tried saline nasal spray? You can get one in a can which really helped my sinus problems.
I was advised to not use olbas oil OP

Thanks everyone! OK, have now stopped using olbas oil! Had a half hour monitor check today and, while Braxton Hicks galore (and measuring 4 weeks too big) apparently the result is 'reassuring'. So hopefully no damage done !

I am so glad that you have stopped using Olbas, because the reason you cant use it in pregnancy is that it contains oil of wintergreen (Methyl Salicylate). Salicylates are present in aspirin medications, Pepto-Bismol® and in high concentrations of oil of wintergreen...all of wich are unsuitable for the under 16's and so obviously unsuitable for unborn babies, use a saline nasal spray such as "Sterimar" sea water nasal spray

Have you tried Vicks? I was told by chemist that Vicks (which smells olbasy) was fine. Apparently its also fine for children over the age of two to use directly, (and under 2's if you speak to a Doctor first) so i doubt that the small ammount passed onto your baby from you would do any harm. Obviously if you have any doubts then best not to use it (and maybe every day is a bit excessive!) but NHS says-

This medicine is not known to cause any problems during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. However, as with all medicines, you should seek medical advice from your doctor before having this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

I am currently 20 weeks pregnant and suffering with a cold, I asked the early pregnancy unit at the hospital and she said Olbas Oil was absolutely fine!

I've got a bad sinus infection at the minute and I've been told my pharmacists you can't have anything, not even paracetomal. However it escalated so that I'd been on the phone to 111 and the doctor cleared me for any nasal spray I want such as otrivine, paracetomal and vicks (and also suggested airwaves gum) and 1 drop of olbas oil in a steam bowl. Then it was so horrendous yesterday with headaches (migraine level) that I ended up on the phone to my doctor and seeing a doctor in Rome (I'm on holiday, what a time to be so ill!) And I've now been given co codamol to take for the headaches as well. Pretty sure that's the end of my options and I've been advised when I go home that if it's still bad to go to the docs, probably for anti-biotics.

Sorry to ramble but basically I've been told no to inhaling olbas oil (unless in steam) but vicks inhalers and rub is fine (probably not for prolonged usage though)