What safety precaution should be taken when using essential oils?

Conducting a patch test and avoiding contact with the eyes are crucial safety precautions when using essential oils. A patch test helps identify any potential allergic reactions or skin sensitivities before applying an essential oil more extensively to the body. It involves applying a small amount of diluted oil to a discreet area of skin and monitoring it for any adverse reactions over a 24-hour period.

Avoiding contact with the eyes is essential because essential oils can be highly concentrated and irritating to mucous membranes, which can cause discomfort, burning, or other severe reactions. Therefore, being mindful of these precautions fosters safe use and maximizes the therapeutic benefits of essential oils.

The other options reflect misunderstandings concerning safe practices with essential oils. For instance, avoiding contact with hair is not generally a concern, and ingesting essential oils can be risky without proper guidance due to potential toxicity. Additionally, while using essential oils in open air can be beneficial for diffusion, it is not a mandatory safety precaution relative to the direct application and skin contact considerations.