Tea Tree Oil in the Treatment of Tinea Pedis

Abstract

Tea tree oil (an essential oil derived primarily from the Australian native Melaleuca alternifolia) has been used as a topical antiseptic agent since the early part of this century for a wide variety of skin infections; however, to date, the evidence for its efficacy in fungal infections is still largely anecdotal. One hundred and four patients completed a randomized, double-blind trial to evaluate the efficacy of 10% w/w tea tree oil cream compared with 1% tolnaftate and placebo creams in the treatment of tinea pedis. Significantly more tolnaftate-treated patients (85%) than tea tree oil (30%) and placebo-treated patients (21%) showed conversion to negative culture at the end of therapy (p < 0.001); there was no statistically significant difference between tea tree oil and placebo groups. All three groups demonstrated improvement in clinical condition based on the four clinical parameters of scaling, inflammation, itching and burning. The tea tree oil group (24/37) and the tolnaftate group (19/33) showed significant improvement in clinical condition when compared to the placebo group (14/34; p = 0.022 and p = 0.018 respectively). Tea tree oil cream (10% w/w) appears to reduce the symptomatology of tinea pedis as effectively as tolnaftate 1% but is no more effective than placebo in achieving a mycological cure. This may be the basis for the popular use of tea tree oil in the treatment of tinea pedis.

Melaleuca alternifolia(Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties

“…With regard to fungal infections, TTO has been clinically evaluated for the treatment of onychomycosis (26,143), tinea pedis (131,145), dandruff (130), and oral candidiasis (92,149). Although much has been made of the potential for TTO to be used in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis, no clinical data have been published.…”

“…In the first trial, patients were treated with 10% TTO in sorbolene, 1% tolnaftate, or placebo (sorbolene) (145). At completion of treatment, patients treated with TTO had mycological cure and clinical improvement rates of 30% and 65%, respectively.…”

Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil inhibits germ tube formation by Candida albicans

“…The oil is reported to have a range of medicinal properties, including antimicrobial, anti-in ammatory and analgesic effects, and has been used as a topical agent in the treatment of a variety of minor ailments [2,3]. In addition to recent reports on the in ×itro antibacterial and antifungal properties of tea tree oil (TTO) [4 -8], the oil has also been clinically evaluated for the treatment of several super cial fungal infections, including refractory oral candidiasis, onychomycosis and tinea [9][10][11][12].…”

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Perfact Face Gel and Perfact Face Tablets in Management of Acne

“…Patients with moderate acne have too many papules and pustules (along with a few to several nodules) and with severe acne, patients have numerous or extensive papules and pustules (as well as many nodules). Acne is also classified by lesion type as comedonal, papulopustular and nodulocystic [18].Tea tree oil (an essential oil of the native Australian tree Melaleuca alternifolia) has been used as a topical antiseptic agent [19]. The studies have shown that tea tree oil can be used in treatment of acne vulgaris [20].…”