Your Guide to Tea Tree Oil for Psoriasis

From healthcentral.com

Here’s what you need to know about treating psoriasis with tea tree oil, including the benefits and risks

If you’re living with psoriasis, the chronic autoimmune disorder that affects 3% of the U.S. adult population, you know all about the regular self-care that’s required: Everything from phototherapy to oral medications and biologics, plus natural lotions, coal tar and essential oils to try and keep symptoms at bay.

One essential oil specifically, tea tree oil, which is harvested from the leaves of the Australian tea tree, has been found to contain some “potent anti-inflammatory properties.”

So, does it work? Tea tree oil may be able to reduce symptoms of psoriasis, including itchiness and pain, says Leah Ansell, M.D., an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University and a dermatologist at Treiber Dermatology Associates in New York City. And while Naana Boakye, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in North Bergen, NJ and author of Inside Out Beauty, says that tea tree oil won’t necessarily “cure” psoriasis, research suggests that it does have the power to alleviate some symptoms.

Curious about tea tree oil and its potential benefits for psoriasis relief? Let’s learn more.

                                                                  GettyImages/ronstik

Why Is Tea Tree Oil Beneficial for Psoriasis?

Tea tree oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits due to its “various terpenes,”—naturally occurring chemical compounds that are also responsible for its eucalyptus-like scent, says Dr. Boakye. “The anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil can help control the discomfort from the dry and itchy skin patches caused by psoriasis,” she adds.

In addition to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, tea tree oil can also help reduce psoriasis flares by doing the following, according to Dr. Boakye:

• Balance oil production: Tea tree oil can regulate sebum production, potentially preventing excessively oily or dry skin.

• Exfoliate skin: Tea tree oil can aid in removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.

• Minimize itch: Tea tree oil has a soothing effect when applied topically.

Particularly for psoriasis of the scalp, Dr. Ansell says that tea tree oil can be useful. Since this type of psoriasis is “built-up of oily scale,” as she puts it, the best way to exfoliate this oil is ironically by using another oil—in this case, tea tree oil.

While there are no large-scale studies that confirm tea tree oil benefits for psoriasis, Dr. Ansell believes that “the theoretical and anecdotal benefits are compelling.” Dr. Boakye says that tea tree oil can “possibly help” psoriasis when it’s used in conjunction with other herbal remedies, like witch hazel, oatmeal, and other essential oils.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Psoriasis

For tea tree oil for plaque psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis that shows up as red, scaly patches, Dr. Boakye recommends starting with a small patch test of tea tree oil so you can test for irritation or an allergic reaction. To do that, dilute the tea tree oil with water or a carrier oil like almond oil (two tablespoons of water or carrier oil per two drops of tea tree oil), and apply a small amount of it with a cotton ball onto an area of skin without psoriasis. Apply a band-aid over it and wait for a reaction. If nothing happens, the diluted tea tree oil should be safe for you to use.

In addition, when applying tea tree oil directly to psoriasis patches, Dr. Ansell says that it’s important that the layer isn’t too thin. “If too thin, it’s unlikely to penetrate the plaques and may more easily rub off,” she says.

Dr. Ansell says that tea tree oil works especially well when it’s applied to scalp psoriasis. After you’ve done a small patch test on the scalp, “tea tree oil can be blended in a special shampoo. When kept in contact with the scalp for 10 to 15 minutes before washing off, this can be helpful in alleviating the inflammation and thick scale that goes with scalp psoriasis,” she says.

When mixing tea tree oil into shampoo, you can use the same mixing ratio that you do with carrier oil—two tablespoons of shampoo per two drops of tea tree oil. (Some shampoos also include tea tree oil as an ingredient; check the labels at your local drugstore.)

Risks of Using Tea Tree Oil for Psoriasis

As with most anything, there are some risks associated with using tea tree oil for psoriasis. If you’re allergic, the application can cause a flare-up of psoriasis symptoms or contact dermatitis. (That’s another reason why patch testing is so important).

“Tea tree oil is not regulated; thus concentrations and additive ingredients may vary greatly,” Dr. Ansell cautions. She says that an allergic reaction may present as pink or red itchy, uncomfortable eruptions at the sites of application.

Who Shouldn’t Use Tea Tree Oil

There’s a short list of individuals who shouldn’t use tea tree oil, notes Dr. Ansell, and they include:

• Pregnant women because bodily changes during pregnancy can make skin particularly sensitive, and tea tree oil has potent chemicals that can cause skin irritation.

• Those who have an allergy to tea tree oil

• Those with pets (tea tree oil is poisonous to pets)

Other Natural Remedies to Help Manage Psoriasis

If you fall in any of the above categories, or just aren’t into the idea of using tea tree oil to ease your psoriasis symptoms, there are several other natural remedies that can combat psoriasis. Dr. Boakye and Dr. Ansell suggest asking your dermatologist about these:

• Aloe vera (topical)

• Vitamin D (supplement)

• Vitamin E (topical)

• Omega 3 (supplement)

• Indigo (topical)

• Gentle sunlight

• Mineral oil (topical)

• Coconut oil (topical)

It’s best to speak with your doctor before turning to any of these treatments. A holistic or integrative primary care doctor or dermatologist will know the best ways to go about using these natural treatments for psoriasis.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/psoriasis/tea-tree-oil-for-psoriasis