Tea tree oil (TTO; Melaleuca alternifolia) may be used to treat scabies, according to a report published in the May issue of the Archives of Dermatology. Based on an in vitro study and one resistant case that was treated successfully, this may be a readily available and safe topical alternative.
"The essential oil of the tea tree is an Australian Aboriginal traditional medicine for bruises, insect bites, and skin infections," write Shelley F. Walton, PhD, from the Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin, Australia, and colleagues. "Studies have demonstrated its antimicrobial activity against gram-positive (eg, Staphylococcus aureus), gram-negative (eg, Escherichia coli), yeast (eg, Candida albicans), and viral (eg, herpes simplex viruses) organisms, but there is little information on its antiectoparasitic activity."
This study determined the in vitro activity of 5% TTO and some of its individual active components against Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis mites collected from a 20-year-old Aboriginal woman admitted to the Royal Darwin Hospital with crusted scabies.
The 5% TTO and its active component terpinen-4-ol were highly effective in reducing mite survival times, and there were statistically significant differences in mite survival curves for 5% TTO, 2.1% terpinen-4-ol, 5% permethrin, and ivermectin (100 µg/g of Emulsifying Ointment British Pharmacopoeia 88 [BP88]). The patient was successfully treated with topical 25% benzyl benzoate containing 5% Tea Tree oil in combination with oral ivermectin, both in multiple doses.
With 5% Tea Tree oil, all scabies mites were dead within three hours, whereas terpinen-4-ol alone required 11.5 hours for 100% mortality. The effect of terpinen-4-ol alone on reducing viability of the scabies mites was similar to that when combined with alpha-terpineol and 1,8-cineole. These components used alone were relatively inactive against the scabies mite, suggesting that terpinen-4-ol is the active component. After one hour of exposure, only 10% of mites tested against 5% permethrin and ivermectin, and none of the mites tested against the Emulsifying Ointment BP88 were dead.
"Documentation of resistance against antiectoparasitic compounds is increasing. Reported S scabiei treatment failures with lindane, crotamiton, and benzyl benzoate, as well as likely emerging resistance to 5% permethrin and oral ivermectin, are of concern and advocate for the identification and development of novel acaricidal drugs," the authors write. "The results suggest that TTO has a potential role as a new topical acaricide and confirm terpinen-4-ol as the primary active component."
The Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation of South Australia, Adelaide, and the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, in Darwin, Northern Territory, supported this study. The authors report no relevant financial interest in this article.
Arch Dermatol. 2004;140:563-566
Reviewed by Gary D. Vogin, MD
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/478480
Monday, June 2, 2008
Tea Tree Oil May Be Used to Treat Scabies
Tea Tree Oil for Acne
One of the more popular home remedies for acne is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. It has been found to have anti-microbial properties, so it is often applied topically to acne lesions to kill acne-causing bacteria.
What many people don't realize about tea tree oil is that overzealously dabbing the undiluted oil onto acne lesions can irritate skin, causing as redness, blistering, overdrying, and itching. The overdrying can even worsen acne. Find out more about tea tree oil and acne, including research, tea tree oil sources, and safety concerns. Tea Tree Oil for Acne.
Tea tree oil is a hugely popular natural treatment for acne with very good reason. Tea tree oil has solved the acne problems of thousands that suffer from all types of blemish problems.
Tea tree plants are native to many areas around Australia. Harvesting the leaves, steaming them and then collecting the oil that the leaves have produced is the most common method of obtaining tea tree oil.
What is Tea Tree Oil?
Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia.
Pure, undiluted tea tree oil is found in health food stores and online. Tea tree oil is also an ingredient in a number of commercial products, such as gels, lotions, creams, toothpaste, mouthwashes, and shampoos.
Why is Tea Tree Oil Used for Acne?
Tea tree oil contains a constituent called terpinen-4-ol that is thought to be responsible for most of tea tree oil's antimicrobial activity. Because tea tree oil can kill bacteria, applying topical tea tree oil to acne lesions has been thought to kill Propionibacterium acnes, the skin-dwelling bacteria that is involved in causing acne.
In a study comparing tea tree oil gel to benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil had fewer side effects than the benzoyl peroxide, which was associated with itching, burning, stinging, and dryness.
What is the Evidence for Tea Tree Oil and Acne?
Although tea tree oil is a popular remedy for acne, there has only been one older study on tea tree oil and acne.
A single-blind randomized trial by the Department of Dermatology at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia compared the effectiveness and tolerance of 5% tea tree oil gel with 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion in 124 people with mild to moderate acne. People in both groups had a significant reduction in inflamed and non-inflammed acne lesions (open and closed comedones) over the three month period, although tea tree oil was less effective than benzoyl peroxide.
Although the tea tree oil took longer to work initially, there were fewer side effects with tea tree oil. In the benzoyl peroxide group, 79% of people had side effects including itching, stinging, burning, and dryness. Researchers noted that there were far fewer side effects in the tea tree oil group.
Double-blind, randomized controlled trials are needed before we can determine whether tea tree oil can help acne.
Should Undiluted Tea Tree Oil be Applied to Acne Lesions?
Undiluted tea tree oil may cause skin irritation, redness, blistering, overdrying, and itching when applied directly to the skin.
The concentration used in the only study to date was a 5% tea tree oil gel, which was applied to acne prone areas.
A 5% tea tree oil solution can be made by mixing 5 parts tea tree oil to 95 parts water (e.g. 5 mL tea tree oil and 95 mL water).
What About Commercial Tea Tree Oil Products be Used?
There are a number of new topical acne products that contain tea tree oil. Have a look at the skin care aisle of the health food store. The company Kiss My Face just introduced a new topical tea tree oil gel that also has other herbal antiseptics, such as witch hazel.
Another place to look would be the drug store or a cosmetics store such as Sephora. DDF has a benzoyl peroxide gel with tea tree oil.
Tea tree oil has become extremely popular over the last few years. During studies preformed by health care professionals it was shown to be more effective in killing bacteria (such as staph bacteria) then many popular man made antibiotics. Additional studies have shown that benzoyl peroxide is less effective in treating acne then tea tree oil as it can leave the skin red and irritated while tea tree oil does not.
To use this great blemish fighter all that you need to do is apply one drop two to three times per day to any areas of your skin that is affected and it will begin to kill the bacteria. The are also many great facial and body cleansing products that contain tee tree oil that you can use in combination with tea tree oil. There are also blemish sticks and pressed powders that contain this natural acne treatment so women suffering from blemishes do not have to worry about their makeup making their skin worse.
Tea tree oil can be found in health food stores, pharmacies and well as in grocery and other retail stores. Additionally you can also find it sold online as well as a vast amount of information concerning the benefits and proper usage of this oil. If you are looking for an effective but natural treatment method for taking care of you acne problems then use tea tree oil, your skin will thank you.
Tax Deductible Massage
You may very well have been getting a tax-deductible massage and did not know it. Yes, that's correct! Your massage therapy may very well be tax deductible.
Many deductions, such as medical expenses, require you to overcome a minimum. For example, only medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income are allowed. This means an individual with an adjusted gross income of $40,000 can only deduct medical expenses above and beyond $3,000.
Your medical care expenses typically include medical insurance, some Medicare costs, and miscellaneous costs of health care. These could include costs for making alterations to your home prescribed for your medical condition, removing toxic substances from your home, enrolling in weight-loss programs, dental work, and travel-related expenses to get to your medical care, including mileage expense. Even that massage you got to relieve stress MAY be deductible. Other potentially deductible expenses include prostheses, and ointments or lotions for wound and skin care.
Deductible medical services can be performed by someone other than your doctor. If you have a condition like a bad back and your doctor says you need regular massage, this treatment is deductible. Make sure you get a prescription for massage from your doctor saying you need these services.
Remember that the cost of the massage therapy is TAX DEDUCTIBLE as long as a physician prescribes it.
If you routinely get massage to help manage stress, blood circulation, chronic pain, or other medical conditions ask your doctor for a prescription and get a receipt for each massage from your massage therapist.
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