Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils.
Most cases of male prepubertal gynecomastia are classified as idiopathic. We investigated possible causes of gynecomastia in three prepubertal boys who were otherwise healthy and had normal serum concentrations of endogenous steroids. In all three boys, gynecomastia coincided with the topical application of products that contained lavender and tea tree oils. Gynecomastia resolved in each patient shortly after the use of products containing these oils was discontinued. Furthermore, studies in human cell lines indicated that the two oils had estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities. We conclude that repeated topical exposure to lavender and tea tree oils probably caused prepubertal gynecomastia in these boys.
Henley
Derek V
DV
Receptor Biology Section, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
Lipson
Natasha
N
Korach
Kenneth S
KS
Bloch
Clifford A
CA
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016259:Genes, myc / Q000187:drug effects; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D027523:Lavandula; D008297:Male; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000187:drug effects; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; C515497:IGFBP3 protein, human; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D020947:Tea Tree Oil; D002402:Cathepsin D; C045718:lavender oil