In a controlled study of 158 people, 72% of the tea tree oil group had significant clinical improvement in athlete’s foot, compared with 39% in the placebo group ( 31).

In addition, tea tree oil may provide relief from bug bite reactions by reducing the itching, redness, and swelling that occurs when your body releases histamine to defend against the insect’s saliva ( 27). Additionally, using tea tree oil on pets may not be safe. Researchers reported that more than 400 dogs and cats developed tremors and other nervous system problems after receiving between 0.1–85 mL of tea tree oil on the skin or orally ( 40). SUMMARY While tea tree oil is generally considered to be safe to use for adults, the elderly and children over 12 years of age, it does come with some warnings. Always dilute tea tree oil with a suitable carrier oil before applying directly to the skin. Commonly recommended dosage Sometimes hair growth gets hindered by a build-upof hair products and the overuse of hair products in general, which can increase the risk of hair breakage and excessive shedding.Tea tree oil also has a moisturising effect, whereas many other acne treatments have a drying effect on the skin,' she says. Tea tree oil has been used throughout history for many reasons as it’s believed to have antibacterial properties. Some users of tea tree oil may experience a skin reaction including irritation, itching and stinging,' warns Kaura. 'Alongside this, in rare cases, people have reported a burning sensation following use. If this occurs, you should stop using the product immediately and seek advice from your pharmacist or GP.' Tea tree oil applied topically to the skin has been found to be safe, but some people may experience a skin reaction, so always do a patch test before use.

We spoke to Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy and LloydsPharmacy Pharmacist Anshu Kaura about tea tree oil benefits, uses and potential side-effects: What is tea tree oil?If the bark of the tree is not smooth, grease bands might not work well, since the bugs can crawl under the bands through the fissures and continue creeping up the trunk. In that case, think about applying fruit tree grease directly to the trunk.