Topical Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil, or melaleuca oil, comes from the Australian tea tree. The product comes from the leaves steamed and processed to yield the essential oil. The oil is yellow and is used worldwide for complementary and alternative treatment purposes. Many people believe that the oil has antibacterial and other medicinal properties. Wellness experts use tea tree oil extract to treat conditions such as acne, head lice, dandruff, and athlete’s foot.
Tea tree oil smells herbaceous, woody, and fresh, although some say it smells medicinal. It contains cineole, terpinene, terpinolene, cymene, and pinene, which are compounds that act as anti-inflammatory substances and pain relievers.
People living with athlete’s foot can use tea tree oil as a topical application to relieve themselves of the condition. Research has found that tea tree oil can kill some fungi and bacteria. Those with an athlete’s foot can rub the oil directly on the affected area twice a day. The oil can reduce the effects of itching, swelling, and scaling, making the skin look less irritated. The antiseptic quality of the oil also eliminates odors accompanying the condition.
