Ailment: Rosacea
Remedy: Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil, melaleuca alternifolia essential oil, properties, traditional healing uses, recipes, warnings.
Comment posted by Angie Gentry of Woodland, Washington, usa on 17 January 2014 at 16:55 1718
I have had rosacea for 2 years, it started not long after I started taking Losartan for my hbp. I have taking the oral antibiotics and used the gel. The gel kept the pulps away but not the redness. Then the gel stopped working and I started getting bumps and huge breakouts. I am now rubbing on 1/4 tsp TTO mixed with 1 tsp of coconut oil on my face every night 2 hours before bed. It is said this needs to be done for a minimum of 6 weeks to kill off the mites. I am 2 weeks into this and my face is worse than ever. I think it is because the mites are dying in large numbers and infecting the skin. I will follow this all the way thru and post the final results.
Comment posted by David Niven Miller of Perth, WA, Australia on 28 December 2013 at 10:7 1651
To Karen of Miami: please click on the tea tree oil link at the top of this page for answers to your questions, and full details on how to use TTO.
Question posted by Karen of Miami, Florida, USA on 28 December 2013 at 6:53 1650
I was diagnosed with mild rosacea earlier this year. I also got tested for allergies and it came back positive for dust mites. I suspect mites are a cause for my rosacea and get the typical symptoms like itchy bumps on my cheeks and forehead and have dry eye symptoms. In an effort to try to target the mites, I added 20 drops of tea tree oil to my 8 oz organic cleanser and another 20 drops to my 8 oz shampoo which I use to wash my hair every other day. My skin has become worse. My question is, is it normal for it to become worse before it gets better? Was the concentration too high and should I reduce it? Or should I stop using it altogether? Hope someone can help me shed some light. Thank you!
Comment posted by Danielle of Burlington, Vermont, USA on 9 December 2013 at 5:38 1604
A month ago I started having all the same symptoms, not soon after my younger children did too only milder if there is such a thing. It started with itchy heads and I treated for lice but then my left started in especially in the folds. Drs said it was eczema which clearly it is not. These things have attacked my ear so badly I can't even sleep on that side! I was given ivermectin which worked for a day or 2 till new eggs hatched and developed. I found that borax and peroxide baths help immensely but do not kill eggs in the follicles. These things are on all body parts in nose and even on tongue lips and gums....EWWW! Last night I did borax and peroxide bath and then blow dried my entire body it helped the most since this started and skin felt softer! Today I got tea tree oil which I'm adding to lotion and shampoo. I also got some Apple Cider Vinegar. Ingredients are acv, cayenne pepper powder and ginger root powder. I have read many positive reviews about acv and its mite killing power. My bf and I started taking 2 a day hopefully I can report positively about this! What I'm struggling with most is keeping home clean with having a full time job and children. I've read suggestions to wash bedding daily and dispose of pillows and buy new, maybe for someone who has money to do so but I just do not! I've sprayed with bleach/water and borax/peroxide/water but I think the borax clogs the sprayer so I an gonna try straining the solution. This is an ongoing battle! I believe either the kitten we rescued brought this into my home, or that my teenager has had them for a while but we thought he just has bad acne from teenage boy hormones! Either way doesn't matter, what matters is getting rid of it before my once beautiful face is disfigured for life! I hope this helps, I will post with updates of progress.
Comment posted by AA of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan on 12 August 2013 at 3:47 1314
YES
Ive been using a very mild mix of tea tree oil amd sweet almond oil for the past three weeks and its worked wonders!
Background / symptoms:
I have been diagnosed with rosecea over a year ago and have been on anti biotics for it on and off. While on anti biotics my face completely clears up, but when I go off them the rosecea flares up again. It was mostly on my cheeks and chin, but had recently started attacking my nose and literally disfiguring it. It's mostly red patches on my cheeks and chin and a couple of boils, with just boils on my nose. I have not detected it anywhere else on my body. By the end of it, since nothing else was working, my dermatologist wanted to prescribe roaccutane (which I refused). When I was initially diagnosed with it, my eyes used to burn a lot and my vision had somewhat deteriorated. However, with time and meds, this symptom has completely disappeared.
I'm someone who regularly does yoga and I also walk / run twice a week - however, the rosecea reacts very badly to any physical exercise that makes my face flush (and so both yoga and running). apart from the vanity aspect, it has been especially hard to reconcile with the fact that something i really rely on to destress and to stay fit and something as healthy as yoga and running impact my skin so negatively. However, two weeks ago I stumbled upon this and a couple of other forums that recommended the use of tea tree oil with different oils for rosecea or demodex mites and decided to try it. In terms of demodex mites - i dont have itchy eyebrows or eyes, and my eye lashes and eyebrows are still intact and have not fallen out, so don't know if i also have a demodex mite infestation. Even if I do, it's prob not such a serious one. So far I've just bought a small bottle of 100% tea tree oil which cost me about 4$.
Proportions: I started out with just one drop of tea tree oil in about 50 drops of 100% sweet almond oil (tea tree oil is SO potent) and increased it by a drop or so with every application. At some point - when the mixture was about 50/50, I felt it had become too strong (my cheeks started becoming crusty and rough and mildly itchy) and began adding almond oil to it instead of tea tree oil. At times if i still find the mixture to be too strong, i apply almond oil directly to my face about fivr minutes after applying the tto and almond oil mixture. Currently I am back to the original very diluted version I had started with and it's continuing to work.
Frequency: initially I was applying it twice a day, once In the morning and once at night. I normally wash my face with soap (a natural sandalwood and rose soap) at night before I sleep, and just rinse it with water in the morning, so I would apply the mixture after washing my face. A week into it, i started washing my face with soap twice a day ( evening - after coming home from work so as to remove my makeup, and at night before I sleep) and apply the mixture after. I apply almond oil randomly in between if my cheeks feel dry and uncomfortable.
Results: I immediately felt relief with even the very first application and saw my skin improve steadily during the first week. There were no additional break outs, the swelling COMPLETELY disappeared, my nose has totally gone back to its original shape and the dis figuration has completely gone, and there have been no additional breakouts on my face! It's been pretty miraculous considering nothing else was working! However, there has been no substantial improvement in the past two weeks - in that my cheeks are still a little pink (although definitely not as pink as they used to be) and they're still a little crusty. I'm now considering making a face wash with honey, castor oil, sweet almond oil and tea tree oil, which may balance and moisturise my skin a little more? I had read about it on either this forum or another forum I forget. Will keep you guys posted. Let me know if you guys have any recommendations?
Although I haven't experienced the symptoms described here with regards to an itchy scalp, my hair falls in clumps in the shower ( I had extremely thick hair to begin with and now it's substancially thinned out), and so I've started a hair application of tea tree oil as well. I wash it once with shampoo just to clean it, rinse out the shampoo, then mix two drops of tto with shampoo in my palm, mix it and very thoroughly shampoo my hair with this mixture. I leave it in for about five mins and rinse it out. Then I condition as I normally do. This has made a massive difference to my hairfall and barely any hair falls in the shower. although the recommendation was to shampoo with tto everyday, ive just continued with my original routine of shampooing my hair every third day (i have really curly hair). I have also mixed in a two to three drops of tto in my body butter which I apply post shower. I apply this all over my body as a precaution (lol I'm really paranoid of the mites / rosecea spreading all over my body - is that even possible?!)
Questions:
1. a couple of days ago my lips have started becoming a little crusty. It doesnt show, but i can definitely feel it. it like when your lips really dry up in the winter and then feel a little hard and stiff. it initially started on my upper lip and now feels like its spreading to my lower lip. i have been applying vaseline which hasnt made any difference. I'm unsure if this is bc of mites (if I have mites could they have infested my lips? Can they?). could it also be bc of the tea tree oil - it may have spread to my lips when i applied it to my face or while i was sleeping? Is this rosecea? maybe its a reaction to some lipstick I've used. Has anyone else experienced this?
2. Can mites spread faster and to other areas of my body if I use the tto treatment with my shampoo and if in fact I have mites on my scalp? Any idea?
Sorry for such a long post, thought it might be helpful for someone or the other out there, and thank you for this fantastic remedy, it's really been a godsend!
Comment posted by Steve of San Diego, CA, USA on 23 April 2013 at 8:52 1107
I've had problems with rosacea and blepharitis since I was 25. I am now 44. It started with a small red patch on one cheek. I just learned about the demodex mite connection and I'm quite frankly very upset that I didn't learn of this as a possible culprit from the 8 different dermatologists I've seen over the years. I'm am currently taking an antibiotic for the bacterial infections that have become a huge problem for me recently, but I've always felt that there's another root problem. This all makes total sense. I will be starting a tea tree oil regimen immediately and will post again in a few weeks to let you all know how it goes. I'm so thankful to those of you who posted description that sound exactly like my experience. Wish me luck.
Comment posted by Lucy of Rochester, NY, USA on 1 February 2013 at 19:22 932
YES
I have had skin irritations for about three years now. It started in my groin, and I was tested for every STD, including Herpes Simplex I and II. All tests came back negative. All symptoms were cyclic in nature and seemed to be worse during times of stress or before menstruation. It was maddening. I would also feel intense itching and a prickly sensation throughout my body, almost as though something was biting me. In April 2012, I had a raised bump on my left hip, it spiraled out of the main pustule and was hot to the touch as well as itchy. I didn't seek medical attention until I continued to experience pimple-like obstructions in and around my genitalia, buttocks and inner thighs. I tested positive for Staph, but negative for MRSA. I was prescribed oral medication, to be taken once a day for seven days. My symptoms came back after this period ended and I returned to the medical center. I was then prescribed Mupirocin Ointment, to be applied twice daily inside my nose, as I was told by my doctor that Staph lives and thrives within the nose. I found temporary relief, although my symptoms continued. I was then told to seek help through a dermatologist. I visited my primary doctor and he acted as though my symptoms were nothing to be concerned with. It seemed as though because I wasn't dying, despite the physical and psychological disturbances I was tormented by, he wasn't concerned with what I was coming to him with. I was told I might be dealing with folliculitis or keratosis pilaris, both of which are caused by demodex mites. Demodex mites are also known to be carriers of staph. I was also experiencing skin irritations on my arms, legs and chest. Random red bumps would appear in groups in these areas and they continue to appear, as though something is irritating my skin. I continue to feel itchy, as though something is biting at my skin, in random spots all over my body, specifically in areas where demodex mites are prone to: groin, chest, ears, face (t-zone, nose, eyebrows, eyelashes). Apparently these are all areas where sebaceous glands reside, and where demodex mites are prone to feed, as they are all oily and perfect breeding grounds for these disgusting and tenacious parasites. Since April 2012, I suffered from broken blood vessels on my left arm, left leg and face. Random raised bumps and pustules would form in and around these vessels. Some would come to a head, some would appear as reddish spots and would eventually fade, leaving a flaky patch. I decided to keep a diary of the symptoms I was experiencing. These symptoms would seem to appear from nowhere, developing overnight, and in numbers. Frustrated and desperate, I visited a dermatologist in December 2012, who told me I have a classic case of rosacea. While I expressed my concern about Staph rapidly raging throughout my body, as I was diagnosed with it, and found areas other than my face affected by whatever skin condition I might have, I was told there was no way such an affliction would cause havoc throughout my body. I wasn't convinced. I was prescribed Azelaic Acid, to apply to my face for five months. The derm was quite certain this was the quick fix to my problem, but I wasn't so sure. First of all, the medication was super pricey without insurance, costing $200+ for a small tube. Secondly, after researching the prescribed med, I wasn't convinced it was a miracle answer to my problems, especially considering my face wasn't the only location on my body which was affected by whatever is taking over my body. Sure, I have a genetic history of rosacea in my family, I'm fair-skinned and I've sun tanned, but haven't abused the sun. My use of cosmetics may have caused me to be predisposed to such a skin condition as rosacea, but I've never abused or over used make up, have never had to use foundation to mask skin issues. My consistent skincare regimens haven't included harsh ingredients which may have led to rosacea. For the most part, I've had fresh, dewy skin. I've had my bouts of pimples, but nothing that was devastating. Therefore, this sudden onset of skin issues and symptoms (itching and random pin-prick type sensations) leads me to believe an overpopulation of demodex mites are the cause of my chronic problems. Instead of using harsh, medically-prescribed ointments which are known to only be temporary relievers, I've been using a regimen of Tea Tree Oil and Almond Oil at night, after cleansing my face with Tisserand Anti-Bacterial Pure Vegetable Soap. While at first this soap was drying to my face,adding the Tea Tree Oil/Almond Oil seemed to improve the dryness. As Tea Tree Oil is known for its anti-bacterial properties, I've also found relief in the itching and inflammation demodex mites are known to cause. I've especially found it soothing to apply the Tea Tree Oil/Almond mix to my eyelids and eyelashes. I wake up with red, itchy, blood-shot, inflamed eyes. After applying the mixture, within minutes, my eyes are soothed and improved, Yet another reason to believe these mites are to blame for my symptoms. I've also experienced raised, red pimple-like bumps in my ears that turn into dry, flaky patches right around the time of the onset of symptoms on my face. I've been applying the Tea Tree Oil/Almond Oil solution to my ears and have found relief as well. I find it odd that while my dermatologist diagnosed me with rosacea, I've found that simply applying the Tea Tree Oil regimen to affected areas has improved my symptoms, and that rosacea may not be the root cause to my problems, but that demodex mites are to blame. Since the onset of my skin problems in 2009, I've also experienced severe razor burn in the groin, in my armpits and on my legs after I shave. I resorted to using bikini-line Nair and while it seemed as though that was the answer, I still continue to experience severe irritation. I've spot-treated my folliculitis-type irritations with Mupirocin, and it does put my symptoms at bay, but isn't a true cure to my problems. It's literally and figuratively irritating most dermatologists/doctors do NOT recognize other reasons for such afflictions as rosacea, folliculitis, keratosis pilaris, such as demodex mites. I'm not one to invest in the expense and future side effects modern medicinal ointments and prescriptions offer. I've found temporary relief in the above mentioned regimens, but am hoping for a true answer to my dermatological problems. Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Comment posted by Donna of SoCal, CA, USA on 15 November 2012 at 16:15 820
YES
For 1.5 weeks, I have been using a rosacea lotion. To save money I also use a solution I made of oils and tea tree oil on my scalp and on a cotton pad I rub all over my body. I use the lotion on my face, neck and chest albeit, I had so much itching in my scalp that for the first week I used a dropper to apply the lotion on my scalp. I also use a q-tip to put it in my ear canal and now it is the first time in 10 years for no chronic inner ear itching. I use eyelash cream on my eyes after using my fingers to spread some of the rosacea lotion on my eye lashes (not recommended by the company but I have not gotten it in my eyes and the crawling sensations on my eyes dramatically subsided after two days). For five days now, I apply cream on top of the lotion in the mornings and retnoid on top of the lotion at night. My skin looks worse but the crawling is going away. I was told that healing brings a lot to the surface. I hope to get oral antibiotics beginning on Tuesday (I hope, hope) to get some of the newly forming pimples to subside. I am getting a fast die off. I am also taking mega doses of Olive Leaf Capsules.
Question posted by LauraLee of Spokane , WA, USA on 26 October 2012 at 21:39 784
Hello All! First off I'm so sorry we are all here because we have this pest consuming our daily lives, but I'm glad we are here in attempt for a cure and share knowledge.
My story is, I had been using retin a for a few years at my dermatologists request. I should have listened to my instincts when I felt it was damaging my skin by removing too many protective layers and destructing my barrier. I was right. Soon my pores began to enlarge, I was noticing black specks engraved into my skin, holes, itching moving sensations, and what felt like a pierce or bite that would be followed with redness then form a little bump/pimple afterwards. This is truly damaging my skin.
I believe I weakened my skin and removed critical protective barriers that allowed my skin to be vulnerable to the mites now. I have new bumps occurring at the sides of my nose and center if cheeks, which leave holes afterwards. I'm trying to heal my skin, but yet kill these mites at the same time, so I feel like whatever route I choose I will be counterproductive in healing the other issue.
I have heard of trying a borax plus h202 solution, sulphur, seabuckthorn oil, cold cream, enzyme spray, and tea tree oil. Please if anyone knows of a sure fire way to decimate this creature, shout at me!
Thanks so much and good luck to you all!
Comment posted by Mike of Parnu, Parnu mk, Estonia on 27 April 2011 at 20:54 458
YES
I haven't tried it yet, but I've read that tea tree oil, or Melaleuca alternifolia oil, is an effective natural remedy for pearly penile papules. Tea tree oil is a really lovely product from Australia, it tingles and smells kind of like eucalyptus, and I've used as a treatment for cuts and blisters, because it acts as an antimicrobial.
