Tea Tree Oil & Lice

Tea tree oil is a commonly used medicinal ingredient in soaps, lotions and even in toothpaste. Some people use tea tree oil to eradicate lice infestations, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, or USNLM. Before you begin to use tea tree oil medicinally, discuss it with your health care provider.

Lice Explained

Lice are tiny, wingless parasitic insects, says MayoClinic.com. They are easily spread and even if you or your child have impeccable personal hygiene, you can still get them. Lice come in three varieties including head lice; pubic lice, also known as crabs; and body lice. None of them are fun, but you can eliminate them using the proper medications or treatments. But getting rid of the lice on your body or in your hair is only the first step. You'll also need to wash and treat all of your clothing, bedding and personal items to remove the lice and nits. Many people opt to use natural products to kill lice, instead of the flammable or toxic chemicals that are available. Tea tree oil is one of the options, says the USNLM.

Tea Tree Oil Uses

Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antimicrobial and antifungal properties that have been shown effective for repelling and killing some insects. This makes tea tree oil useful as a treatment for lice, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, thrush, genital herpes, fungal nail infection, dandruff, bad breath, acne, athlete's foot, and allergic skin reactions, according to the USNLM. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center website adds that tea tree oil is often used to treat minor burns, cold sores, eczema, inflammation and insect bites and stings.

Research

Two studies published on the PubMed.gov website describe research on the effects of tea tree oil for getting rid of lice. The first study was conducted at the University of Reading School of Pharmacology in Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom, and published in "Phytoteripia" in December of 2007. In this study, the research found tea tree oil to be the most effective natural essential oil tested for eradicating lice and dust mites.

Another study was conducted at Trinity College School of Pharmacy in Dublin, Ireland, and published in the "Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacology" in March of 2004. This study investigated tea tree oil's ability to kill lice infestations. Tea tree oil effectively eliminated the lice and the results were repeatable. The study credits the insecticidal properties in the oil for the success.

Possible Side Effects

Memorial Sloan-Kettering warns that since tea tree oil is toxic when ingested, it's best to only use it on your skin. Some people may have allergic reactions to tea tree oil, so you should use it with caution and watch for rashes or hives. Pregnant or breast-feeding women are advised by the USNLM to avoid the use of tea tree oil, since there is limited safety information for it so far.

Potential Interactions

The USNLM warns that tea tree oil may harmfully interact with anti-cancer, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs. It may also interact with insect repellents. Tea tree oil in skin care products may make dry skin caused by certain skin treatments to get worse.