Tea tree topical

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although not all side effects are known, tea tree topical is thought to be likely safe for most people when applied to the skin.

Common side effects may include:

• skin irritation and swelling; or
• skin dryness, itching, burning, and redness in people with acne.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone takes any tree tea product by mouth.

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

None well documented.

The indigenous people of Australia have used tea tree oil from crushed leaves as a traditional remedy for coughs and colds, as well as to treat wounds and skin conditions. Tea tree oil was first used in surgery and dentistry in the mid-1920s. Its healing properties were also used during World War II for skin injuries in munitions factory workers. Tea tree oil's popularity has resurfaced within the last few years as interest in natural therapies evolves, and it can be found in soaps, shampoos, and lotions. 2 , 3

The essential oil is normally obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and terminal branchlets, resulting in a transparent, colorless to pale yellow oil with a characteristic odor. The main constituent in tea tree's essential oil and present in concentrations of 30% or more is terpinen-4-ol, with more than 100 other constituents identified. The International Standards Organization requires 15 of these chemicals to be present, and concentrations of terpinen-4-ol must be at least 30% and 1,8-cineole (controversially considered a skin irritant) must be less than 15%. However, essential oils from other related species ( Melaleuca dissitiflora and Melaleuca linariifolia ) can also meet these same standards and have been used as adulterants. Other constituents include terpinene, terpinolene, pinene, cymene, and limonene. The composition of the essential oil may change with storage conditions, because heat, light, air, and moisture can affect the oil. 2 , 3 , 4

In vitro studies have confirmed bactericidal and bacteriostatic (at lower concentrations) action of tea tree oil. A broad spectrum of bacterial pathogens are affected, including common skin Staphylococcus species, Enterococcus faecalis , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and most are susceptible to concentrations of 1% or less of tea tree essential oil; however, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of some pathogens is as high as 8%. The activity has been attributed mainly to terpineol content, but some studies suggest that cineole has a role. 2 , 5 , 6 , 7

A limited number of dermatological studies have been conducted in animals, particularly for chronic itching and fleas in dogs, but toxicity associated with ingesting the oil via licking limits therapeutic applications. 2 , 3 , 8 , 9

Despite the large number of in vitro studies reported, few quality clinical trials have been conducted. Clinical studies have been conducted in acne, methicillin-resistant S. aureus , and gingivitis. Case reports exist for use in bacterial vaginitis. 10

One small trial established 5% tea tree oil to be more effective than placebo over 45 days in treating mild to moderate acne vulgaris. 11 A second trial demonstrated equivalence with benzoyl peroxide 5% over 3 months of treatment; however, it may have been insufficiently powered to detect a difference. 12

In studies evaluating tea tree oil in the decolonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal application of ointment (4% to 10%) and body wash (5%), no difference was shown versus mupirocin 2% and chlorhexidine or triclosan. 13 , 14 In subgroup analysis of data from the larger trial, mupirocin nasal ointment performed better than 10% tea tree oil in nasal decolonization, while tea tree oil performed better than chlorhexidine in decolonizing the skin and skin lesions. 14 The results of a multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial on the effect of 5% tea tree oil wash in preventing methicillin-resistant S. aureus colonization in patients in the intensive care unit are forthcoming. 15

In 2 small trials, 0.34% tea tree oil mouthwash and 2.5% tea tree oil gel reduced gingival inflammation but did not decrease plaque scores versus chlorhexidine or placebo. 16 , 17

A wide range of yeasts, dermatophytes, and other filamentous fungi were susceptible to varying concentrations of tea tree oil. Reported MICs range from 0.12% to 2%, but some species (eg, Aspergillus niger ) require higher concentrations of up to 8%. It has been suggested that different phases of fungal growth are affected differently by tea tree oil. 2 , 3 , 10 , 18 , 19

Despite an abundance of commercial preparations promoted for antifungal use, clinical trials of sound methodology are limited. Trials have been conducted in conditions including nail infections (onchomycosis), tinea pedis and versicolor, dandruff, and oral candidiasis, along with case reports of other fungal conditions.

Equivalence was found for 100% tea tree oil and clotrimazole 1% in treating onchomycosis over 6 months in one study. 20 However, a study evaluating butenafine with tea tree oil versus tea tree oil alone in treating fungal toenail infections found no effect for tea tree oil alone (the placebo arm of the study) applied over 8 weeks. 21

Tea tree oil (25% and 50%) was better than placebo in treating tinea pedis (athlete's foot) in one clinical trial. 22 A second trial found 10% tea tree oil to be no better than placebo in attaining a negative culture, but equivalent to tolnaftate 1% as assessed by reduction of symptoms. 23 The popularity of tea tree oil in treating tinea pedis is attributed to the reduction of scaling, itching, and burning symptoms. 8

A 5% tea tree oil shampoo used for 4 weeks was shown to be effective in treating dandruff, 24 and in an open-label study with no control arm, tea tree oil resolved oral candidial lesions in some, but not all, patients who were positive for HIV. 25

Early studies examined the antiviral action of tea tree oil on tobacco mosaic virus, while in vitro studies in human viruses have been limited mainly to the herpes simplex viruses. 2 , 3 At 2.5 mcg/mL, tea tree oil suppressed herpes simplex virus type 1 in an in vitro study examining various oils. 26 A small pilot study found some benefit in using a 6% tea tree oil gel in the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis over placebo; however, statistical significance was not achieved. 27

Anti-inflammatory action has been described for tea tree oil and may account for observed clinical response of reduced itching. In histamine studies and nickel-induced contact hypersensitivity tests, tea tree oil reduced flare and erythema at higher concentrations (40% to 100%). 2 , 8 , 28 , 29

In limited experiments, tea tree oil induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in tumor cell lines. 9 , 30

Tea tree oil was not effective in improving symptoms of dementia or dental irrigation in root canal treatment. 31 , 32

Tea tree oil as a nasal cream (4% to 10%) applied 3 times a day for 5 days, and 5% body wash for 5 days. 13 , 14 , 15

5% tea tree oil gel applied for 20 minutes twice daily, then washed off. 11 , 12

100% tea tree oil applied for 6 months. 20

25% to 50% tea tree oil for 4 weeks. 22 , 23