Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil has a history of being used for acne, athlete's foot, and nail fungus. Do not swallow tea tree oil. Tea tree oil should be used topically.

Tea Tree Oil Overview

Reviewed: June 19, 2014
Updated: 

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree.

Tea tree oil is used topically for acne, athlete's foot, nail fungus, wounds, and infections; or for lice, oral candidiasis (thrush), cold sores, dandruff, and skin lesions.

Common side effects of tea tree oil include skin irritation or contact dermatitis (an allergic reaction).

Tea Tree Oil Cautionary Labels

precautions

Tea tree oil is used topically for acne, athlete's foot, nail fungus, wounds, and infections; or for lice, oral candidiasis (thrush), cold sores, dandruff, and skin lesions.

Tea tree oil may be used for other conditions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

 

Side Effects of Tea Tree Oil

Common side effects of tea tree oil include the following:

  • skin irritation
  • contact dermatitis (an allergic reaction)

Oxidized tea tree oil (oil that has been exposed to air) may trigger allergies more than fresh tea tree oil.

This is not a complete list of tea tree oil side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Tea Tree Oil Interactions

No drug interactions have been listed by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Tea Tree Oil Precautions

Special precautions & warnings:

  • Tea tree oil should not be swallowed.
    • Poisonings, mainly in children, have caused drowsiness, disorientation, rash, and ataxia—a loss of muscle control in the arms and legs causing a lack of balance and coordination. One patient went into a coma after drinking half a cup of tea tree oil.