Tea Tree Oil for Baby – Health Benefits and Precautions

Many people prefer using herbal oils to treat certain basic ailments. One such oil is tea tree oil, which is known to possess antibacterial, antiviral, insecticidal, and immunity-stimulant properties (1) (2). It is used to treat microbial and fungal skin infections in babies and children. You may also find tea tree oil as an ingredient in several over-the-counter ointments, creams, and lotions. Although this oil has several benefits in daily life, parents often wonder if it can be used for babies. To find out the safety profile between tea tree oil and infants, we suggest reading this article. Here, we will discuss tea tree oil, its benefits, usage, and side effects.

What Is Tea Tree Oil?

The botanical name of the tea tree, which is native to Australia, is ‘Melaleuca alternifolia‘. It is the source of tea tree oil. The leaves and twigs of this tree are treated with a steam and distillation process to obtain the medicinal oil (3). The oil has medicinal and disinfectant properties. Hence, it is a useful home remedy for many types of ailments.

Is Tea Tree Oil Safe for Babies?

Tea oil is one of the gentle essential oils that are safe for children and can only be used topically on babies (4). Consumption of this oil can be fatal for babies. Topical application of this oil may also sometimes cause severe allergic reactions in your baby. Therefore, consult your baby’s paediatrician before applying this oil to your little one.

It is to be noted that any essential oil should not be used on babies less than 3 months of age. Young infants have extremely delicate skin, which is permeable and sensitive to essential oils (5).

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil for Infants

The tea tree oil has several health benefits, which makes it a herbal remedy you need to have at your disposal. Mentioned below are some of the benefits of this oil.

1. Cures skin infections.

This oil is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic. It can be used to treat topical skin infections in babies and children. It is highly effective against wounds, insect bites, diaper rashes and more.

2. It helps heal wounds faster.

When applied to injuries, the oil’s antibacterial nature kills bacteria that are present in wounds and helps them recover more quickly (6). The oil can also reduce scarring of skin after a wound heals or in cases such as chickenpox blisters.

3. Treats fungal infections.

Tea tree oil for baby skin is highly effective in treating fungal infections such as ringworms in babies as it has a powerful anti-fungal effect (7). It also kills a number of harmful microbes in the protozoan family that can cause skin infections, rashes, and disease. The 

4. Strengthens the immune system.

When you apply tea tree oil to the skin, it strengthens your  immune system and helps build resistance to diseases. It does so by having a stimulating effect on hormone secretion and blood circulation. Due to this, your baby will be less prone to infections.

5. Cures a cough and cold.

The tea tree oil for baby’s cold and cough is an excellent remedy to ease your baby’s respiratory congestion. Since the oil has expectorant properties, it has been used for a long time to treat colds and coughs. The treatment is as simple as rubbing oil on the baby’s chest and throat to provide relief from a cough.

6. Improves blood circulation.

The anti-inflammatory properties of this oil help ease the pain in the body. Rub this oil on the muscles of your baby, and he will feel better. The oil also reduces inflammation and improves blood circulation when applied over sore muscles. This promotes faster recovery.

7. Keeps the skin healthy.

The oil enables sweating which in turn helps your baby’s skin to expel waste and other toxic substances that may have accumulated over time. This helps in keeping the baby’s skin healthy.

8. Promotes good health.

Adding a few drops of tea tree oil to your baby’s bath water can promote good health. Its balsamic properties boost a baby’s overall health.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil on Baby

Tea tree oil is available in a concentrated form as an essential oil. It should never be applied directly onto the baby’s skin. Mix it with a carrier oil such as olive oil, sweet almond or coconut oils to dilute it and then use it on your baby (8).

Home Remedies Using Tea Tree Oil for Infants

For the following common ailments, you can use tea tree oil and a few other oils, which make a perfect home remedy:

1. For Treating Cuts and Burns

To treat cuts and burns in your baby, prepare the tea tree oil solution by mixing it with a carrier oil such as coconut, olive, or almond oil. For every teaspoon of the other oil used, add a drop of the tea tree oil and dilute it thoroughly. Clean the affected area with water and apply the solution. Repeat every two to three hours and keep the wound covered for faster healing.

2. For Easing Diaper Rashes

Tea tree oil, used in combination with coconut oil, can be used to treat a diaper rash. The solution consists of 3 tablespoons of coconut oil mixed with 4-5 drops of tea tree oil. Clean the affected area and apply the solution. Repeat the process with every diaper change. This solution is also effective in treating thrush in babies.

3. For Treating Insect Bites

To cure insect bites, prepare a solution by diluting the tea tree oil in a carrier oil. Dilute a single drop of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil. Clean the affected area and apply this solution to the skin. Repeat every two to three hours. Tea tree oil is also a natural insect repellant.

4. Treating Cradle Cap

To treat the cradle cap in babies, mix one drop of tea tree oil with a spoon of olive oil and apply it to your baby’s head. Leave it in place for five minutes, then rinse.

5. For Making Baby Wipe Solution

An all-natural baby wipe solution can be created at home with tea tree oil for regular use. You will need 1 tablespoon of baby oil, 2-3 drops of lavender oil, 2-3 drops of tea tree oil and 2 cups of distilled water to prepare the mix. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and store them in a spray bottle for use. Spray the solution on your wipes during every diaper change.

Are There Any Side Effects of Using Tea Tree Oil on Babies?

Like all remedial medicines, tea tree oil also has side effects in some infants. Watch out for these side effects:

1. Skin Rash

In some cases, when used as a topical treatment, the oil can cause rashes on the skin, inflammation, and redness in the area as a result of an allergic reaction. Although tea oil is used as a solution to treat diaper rash in babies, babies with sensitive skin can have side effects like aggravation of the diaper rash. Tea tree oil for baby eczema is also not recommended as the oil makes the area dry and causes severe irritation in babies with eczema.

2. Allergies

If this oil is used in its concentrated form, it can cause burning, skin discolouration, and digestive problems when used as a topical solution. Allergies can manifest in the form of slight contact dermatitis or severe blistering. In all these cases, the usage of oil should stop immediately.

3. Prepubertal Gynecomastia

Research by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) found a link between prepubertal gynecomastia and products containing tea trees and lavender oil. It is an extremely rare condition seen in prepubescent boys and causes enlarged breast tissues (9).

Precautions to Take While Using Tea Tree Oil for Your Baby

Remember these precautions before the usage of tea tree oil for newborn babies:

• The oil can trigger some hormonal changes in the baby’s body.
• The oil must only be used topically while diluted with carrier oil, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and grapeseed oil (8).
• Oral consumption of the oil is toxic and can be fatal for the baby (10).
• Always consult your paediatrician before applying the oil to your baby.
• If you notice signs of allergies, such as rashes or inflammation, stop using it immediately.

FAQs

1. Is it safe to use tea tree oil on a baby’s scalp?

Many experts suggest avoiding the use of tea tree oil for kids younger than 2 years (5). If you want to use tea tree oil on your child’s scalp, please consult a doctor about the oil’s use on the baby’s scalp.

2. Is tea tree oil helpful in treating congestion in babies?

Although tea tree oil is known for its wonderful effects on managing respiratory symptoms like influenza and bronchitis, there is no evidence that shows its safety profile for babies’ respiratory health (11). It is suggested to consult a certified doctor before using the oil for the baby.

3. Is it safe to use tea tree oil to treat baby’s eczema?

There is no medical evidence that documents the success of tea tree oil in improving a baby’s eczema symptoms (13). Since it is known to cause allergic contact dermatitis, it is best to consult a doctor before using tea tree oil for your little one’s eczema (13).

4. Are tea tree oil diffusers safe for babies?

The use of tea tree oil for diffusion on babies above 6 months is safe. However, the maximum recommended amount of the essential oil used should not exceed 0.5% of the given instructions/recipe. You may use 3-5 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil (5). Make sure you don’t diffuse the tea tree oil or any other essential oil close to the baby. Speak to the doctor for the best advice.

Tea tree oil should be used with caution for kids less than 6 months of age, especially for boy babies, due to any hormonal imbalances that regular usage of the oil can bring about. Make sure to do a patch test on the forearm before using tea tree oil for diaper rash.

When used topically, tea tree oil can be a wonderful remedy for many common baby ailments.

References/Resources:

1. Ali. B, et al.; Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review; Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115001033?via%3Dihub; August 2015

2. Carson. C. F, et al.; Mechanism of Action of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil on Staphylococcus aureus Determined by Time-Kill, Lysis, Leakage, and Salt Tolerance Assays and Electron Microscopy; ASM Journals; https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/aac.46.6.1914-1920.2002; June 2002

3. Tea Tree Oil; NIH; https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tea-tree-oil

4. Herbal and Essential Oil Remedies for Children; American College of Healthcare Sciences; https://info.achs.edu/blog/herbal-and-essential-oil-remedies-for-children; May 2022

5. Issinghoff. C. J; A Pediatrician’s Panoramic View of Essential Oils; Hutchinson Kansas; http://www.kansasaap.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2016-April-KAAP-EO-Handout.pdf

6. Elshafie. H. S, et al.; An Overview of the Biological Effects of Some Mediterranean Essential Oils on Human Health; BioMed Research International; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2017/9268468; November 2017

7. Homeyer. D. C, et al.; In Vitro activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil on filamentous fungi and toxicity to human cells; Medical Mycology; https://academic.oup.com/mmy/article/53/3/285/2579412?login=false; January 2015

8. Tea tree oil; Scientific Committee on Consumer Products; https://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_160.pdf

9. Lavender and Tea Tree Oils May Cause Breast Growth in Boys; NIH; https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/lavender-tea-tree-oils-may-cause-breast-growth-boys; January 2007

10. Tea Tree Oil: Remedy and Poison; Poison Control; https://www.poison.org/articles/tea-tree-oil

11. Horváth G, Ács K. Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases highlighting their role in bacterial infections and their anti-inflammatory action: a review. Flavour Fragr J.; PubMed Central; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7163989/; September 2015

12. Stop the Itch: Home Remedies To Help Manage Eczema; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/home-remedies-for-eczema

13. Tully. A. S, Studdiford. J. S; Allergic contact dermatitis from tea tree oil; Medicine; https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Allergic-contact-dermatitis-from-tea-tree-oil-Tully-Studdiford/c4a98abeca65ed0105fc5ffc97b0f2103832743d?p2df; July 2007 

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