Tea tree oil may have antiseptic properties that help some skin conditions.
Eczema is a form of atopic dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction of the skin. Eczema is common in infants and young children and though many cases of infantile eczema resolve with age, a large number of people continue to suffer from eczema as adults. An alternative treatment that may be helpful for symptoms of eczema is tea tree oil. More research is needed to establish the analgesic and antiseptic properties of this traditional remedy.
Instructions
1. Add a few drops of pure tea tree oil to a cotton ball and dab directly onto the eczema rash. Pure tea tree oil can be too harsh for some individuals. In the case of infants, children and those with sensitive skin, do not apply tea tree oil directly to skin. Instead, add several drops to a creamy hypoallergenic moisturizer and then apply liberally to eczema-affected areas of skin. Avoid using lotions or creams made with perfumes and dyes as this could worsen eczema symptoms.
2. Infuse bath water with tea tree oil. Using tea tree oil as a bath oil helps to soothe itchy skin and relieve eczema irritation. Add one to two tablespoons of tea tree oil to warm bath water and soak for several minutes. Moisturize liberally afterwards to seal in the soothing properties of the tea tree oil bath.
3. For maximum eczema relief, apply the tea tree oil (or oil infused moisturizer) to eczema patches two to three times per day. Soak in the bath treatment one to three times per week. Not only will tea tree oil treat the dry skin and intense itch associated with eczema, it will also keep the rash from becoming infected from scratching.
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