What Is Tea Tree Oil,
And What Makes It A Good Choice As A Natural Eczema Treatment?

What is tea tree oil and how can it help in the treatment of your eczema?

Tea tree oil is an essential oil.

It comes from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant. This plant comes from Australia. For many years aborigines used the oil to treat many different conditions.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has some great qualities that may help to improve different ailments, including eczema.

• Anti-septic. Helps to soothe your skin. This may help to prevent further skin damage
• Anti-inflammatory. As a natural anti inflammatory it reduces the symptoms of inflammation. This in turn can help reduce any itching
• Anti-itch. Helps to ease the itch. When you stop scratching, you will help to prevent damaging your skin. Avoiding the itch-scratch cycle
• Anti-bacterial. Can help reduce the chance of infection. So reducing the risk of your eczema spreading

What is Tea Tree Oil Used For?

Tea tree oil can be used in several different ways.

• The oil can be used directly on the skin, though it isn’t usually recommended. A few drops can be gently rubbed into the affected area
• If you have sensitive skin, or have a child with eczema, then using directly on the skin may cause irritation. You can add a few drops to your emollient. Mix well, then apply to your skin
• Some oil can be added to your bath. Add a couple of tablespoons of oil to a warm bath. Mix it well before getting in
• You can mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil, or base oil. A carrier oil is added to an essential oil. It dilutes it and helps it to absorb into the skin. The carrier oil you use can be one that is also beneficial to your eczema. A good choice maybe lavender or olive.

For mixing with a cream or oil there are measurements you can use to make the right dilution for eczema. It is recommended that a 5% solution is used. So for example for every 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil, you would mix it with 20 teaspoons of the carrier oil or cream.

Tea tree oil is also found in some products you can buy including

• Lotions
• Creams
• Lip balms
• Soaps

Before buying them it is a good idea to check the other ingredients in a product. Look for any ingredients that may cause your skin to get irritated.

You cannot take tea tree oil orally. If you do, please seek medical help immediately.

When using tea tree oil initially it is a good idea to use it on a small area first. This will help to determine whether it will cause any skin irritation.

If there is no reaction then you can carry on using it, but it is still recommended that you continue using emollients and topical corticosteroids when they are needed.

Return from What is Tea Tree Oil to Eczema Treatments

Return from What is Tea Tree oil to What is Eczema