Tea tree oil is known for its healing properties and may help with some skin conditions — but what about eczema? One member of MyEczemaTeam asked, “Is it safe to use tea tree oil on eczema?”

People with skin conditions like eczema sometimes turn to alternative therapies like tea tree oil to relieve symptoms like itchy, dry skin. Here’s what you need to know about tea tree oil, the research on how it affects the skin, and what you should consider if you want to try it for your eczema.

What Is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that’s extracted from the leaves of the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree through steam distillation. Also known as melaleuca oil, tea tree oil may be an ingredient in shampoos, lotions, and skin care products. Some people use it for skin conditions such as acne, nail fungus, or athlete’s foot.

Skin Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

Some researchers have reported that tea tree oil provides potential skin benefits, but there’s not a lot of evidence to support these claims. Here’s an overview of some of the findings.

Antioxidant Properties

According to some research, tea tree oil contains antioxidants. These substances help reduce skin damage from the environment and free radicals (unstable molecules in the body).

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Tea tree oil’s anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to reduce swelling from hypersensitivity (an overreaction of the immune system) in mice and treat allergic contact dermatitis in humans — a skin reaction caused by touching something you’re allergic to, like soap, metal, or plants.

The oil has also been found effective in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne. Tea tree oil may also help heal skin wounds, reduce skin inflammation due to infection, and help cool burn wounds.

Antibacterial Properties

Because of its antibacterial properties, tea tree oil may help heal skin infections. One study found that a tea tree oil concentration was effective in treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterial skin condition that causes staph infections and tends to be difficult to treat.

Antiviral, Antifungal, and Antiprotozoal Properties

Research has shown that tea tree oil can help fight viruses, fungal infections, and protozoa (single-celled organisms) that affect the skin. The oil may be used as an alternative treatment for head lice and the fungal infection, athlete’s foot.

Tea tree oil solutions and products can be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for dandruff, one study found. Researchers believe that dandruff is caused by a fungus, and the oil’s antifungal properties may help reduce symptoms like itching.

Tea Tree Oil and Eczema

Given all its skin-related benefits, tea tree oil may ease some eczema symptoms and help during flare-ups, periods when symptoms appear or get worse. However, there’s no clear evidence that tea tree oil can help eczema.

Some MyEczemaTeam members have described their own experiences using alternative treatments like tea tree oil. One wrote, “I use tea tree oil a lot, and it seems to help calm my eczema.”

Another shared, “I dilute tea tree oil in a small spray bottle and use it on my itchy flare-ups. It calms them down to almost nothing.”

Although tea tree oil may help some people with eczema, it’s important to remember that everyone’s skin is different. What works for one person with eczema might not help or may even worsen symptoms in another. Always talk with your healthcare provider before trying any new products on your eczema.

Research on Tea Tree Oil and Eczema

Some researchers have explored the effects of tea tree oil solutions and other products on skin conditions like eczema. One study found that tea tree oil worked better than traditional treatments for reducing skin inflammation from an allergic reaction. However, because the study focused specifically on allergy-triggered eczema, the results may not apply to all types of eczema.

Another study found that a 5 percent tea tree oil gel improved symptoms like itching and scaling in people with seborrheic dermatitis, a type of eczema that affects the face. However, there were just 54 participants, so the results may not apply to everyone.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have noted that the effectiveness of tea tree oil and other essential oils for human health is still unclear due to mixed results and limited studies. Additionally, Mayo Clinic advises against using tea tree oil for people with eczema.

How Do You Use Tea Tree Oil on Eczema or Inflamed Skin?

If you’re interested in trying tea tree oil for your eczema symptoms, first talk with your doctor or dermatologist (skin care specialist). If you’re not allergic to tea tree oil and you get your doctor’s OK, you can try using it in a few different ways.

Can You Put Tea Tree Oil Directly on Your Skin?

Tea tree oil is considered generally safe if it’s diluted with another oil, such as coconut oil. You should never apply any essential oil directly on the skin.

Note that although tea tree oil can be used on your skin, it’s poisonous if ingested. Don’t take tea tree oil by mouth.

What Happens if You Don’t Dilute Tea Tree Oil on Your Skin?

Essential oils on their own are very powerful, so it’s important to dilute them. Applying undiluted tea tree oil could cause harmful skin reactions and side effects such as rashes, blisters, or dryness that could make eczema symptoms worse.

Make an Oil Mixture

You can make your own tea tree oil mixture. Be sure to choose an oil that’s 100 percent pure tea tree oil and comes from a trustworthy health store.

Dilute the tea tree oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil. Make a mixture with a ratio of 1 drop of tea tree oil to about 12 drops of carrier oil.

Perform a Patch Test

Before applying the mixture to eczema-affected skin, you should do a patch test to see how your skin reacts. First, apply the diluted oil mixture to a small area of healthy skin without eczema. Next, wait about 48 hours. If the skin becomes irritated, discolored, bumpy, or itchy, you may be allergic and shouldn’t use the mixture on other areas of your skin.

If your skin has no reaction to the patch test, rub a small amount of the oil mixture onto areas affected by eczema. Let the oil absorb into your skin.

Look for Tea Tree Oil in Skin Care Products

Instead of making your own mixture, you could look for topical lotions, moisturizers, and shampoos that contain tea tree oil. Read the ingredients list to check if a product has tea tree oil.

Explore Other Natural Remedies for Eczema

Some people try home remedies like tea tree oil along with their eczema treatments and self-care routines, such as taking baths and using moisturizer.

Tea tree oil is just one of many natural remedies people have tried for eczema. Some others include:

• Coconut oil
• Sunflower seed oil
• Aloe vera
• Colloidal oatmeal

Remember, what works for one person may not work for another, so it’s always important to check with your healthcare provider before trying new products and treatments.

Precautions for Using Tea Tree Oil

There are some precautions to keep in mind when considering tea tree oil for eczema. It’s important to use it safely so you don’t irritate your skin or make symptoms worse.

Contact Dermatitis

Some studies have found that tea tree oil can cause an allergic contact dermatitis reaction. This is why you’ll need to do a patch test before trying an oil mixture or any new product on your skin. A 2016 review article reported that allergic responses to tea tree oil patch tests ranged from 0.1 percent to 3.5 percent.

Lack of Regulation and Research

Essential oils are not regulated by any government entity such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so there’s no guarantee of the purity and legitimacy of a particular seller’s oils. Be mindful of advertisements and claims for essential oils. For a product to be considered a treatment for any condition or disease in the U.S., it must be approved and regulated by the FDA.

Special Populations

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using tea tree oil. The safety and efficacy of tea tree oil have not been tested on babies and young children.

Connect With Others Who Understand

On MyEczemaTeam, the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with eczema.

Have you tried tea tree oil for your eczema? What methods or products have you used? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.