Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, which is native to Australia and Asia. Tea tree oil has a long history of medicinal uses, dating to the Aborigines of Australia. You can use tea tree oil topically for many purposes, including for treating dandruff. Talk to your doctor before you begin using tea tree oil to treat dandruff to discuss the potential side effects and health risks.
Description
Dandruff is a chronic condition of your scalp that causes itching, scaling and flaking, the Mayo Clinic says. People of all ages--even infants--can develop dandruff, but the condition is rarely serious and usually easy to treat. You could have dandruff for a variety of reasons, including a dry scalp, infrequent shampooing and sensitivities to hair products. Some skin conditions can also cause dandruff, such as fungal infections malassezia, eczema, psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. Your physician can diagnose the cause.
Application
Using a shampoo made from tea tree oil could help reduce dandruff symptoms, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In fact, many dandruff-shampoo brands sold in natural food stores contain tea tree oil as the active ingredient, the Mayo Clinic notes. Tea tree oil appears to offer antiseptic actions as well.
Scientific Research
Only one notable medical study has been performed on tea tree oil's effectiveness in treating dandruff. A month-long study reported in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2002 found that using a shampoo with a 5 percent concentration of tea tree oil substantially decreased symptoms in people with mild to moderate dandruff, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Warnings
The biggest danger of using tea tree oil on your scalp for dandruff is the potential of an allergic skin reaction, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. You should apply a small amount of tea tree oil product to your scalp at first to test for an allergy or sensitivity, the University of Michigan Health System says. Don't take tea tree oil internally to treat dandruff; avoid getting it into your eyes, mouth or nose.
Other Uses
In addition to treating dandruff, tea tree oil has several other potential uses. You might use tea tree oil topically to treat acne, fungal or yeast skin infections, bacterial skin infections, wounds, vaginitis or head lice, says the University of Michigan Health System. Tea tree oil may also help in treating thrush, oral herpes infections and gingivitis or periodontal disease, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Consult your doctor before using tea tree oil to treat any health problem.
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