Tagged with 'tea-tree-oil'

If you’ve ever had dandruff, it becomes your top priority to figure out a way to get rid of it. Nobody wants to see white flakes in your hair or on your clothes, especially you! Dandruff is the result of an imbalance on the scalp. There are many causes, including hormonal imbalances, allergic reactions to certain hair products, excess sweat and perspiration that’s allowed to sit on the scalp for too long, and nutrition imbalances. The ultimate goal for all dandruff treatments and shampoos, is to restore the balance on your scalp. 

Treating Dandruff

The most common treatment for dandruff is using specialized shampoos. They may work, and not to diss them, but most contain harsh ingredients, such as parabens and synthetic fragrances and colorings. Your skin will absorb anything you put on it, circulate through your body, and into your organs. It’s scary because some of those harsh chemicals are irritants, linked to cancer, and endocrine disrupters. If you’re chemical-conscious about what you put on your hair and skin, here are a few natural remedies to consider first.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that comes from the leaves of Australian’s native tree, Melaleuca alternifolia. One major component in tea tree oil (terpinen-4-ol) shows strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Tea tree oil has been used for hundreds of years to fight skin infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus, and protozoa. You’ll often see tea tree oil shampoos in health food stores, and many people report it helps reduce dandruff by unclogging hair follicles and cleaning up bacterial and fungal infections.

There has been little research on the use of tea tree oil for dandruff. One study of 126 people with mild to moderate dandruff, used either a 5% tea tree oil shampoo or a placebo daily for four weeks. At the end of the study, the tea tree oil shampoo significantly reduced dandruff and was well tolerated by participants. Although promising, further research is needed to confirm these results. 

If you’re feeling DIY, another option is to add a few drops of tea tree oil to your favorite shampoo and wash normally. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Dr. Oz swears by apple cider vinegar as a dandruff treatment because the acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. Mix ¼ cup apple cider vinegar with ¼ cup water. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spritz it on to your hair and scalp, being careful to avoid the eye and ear area. Wrap your head in a towel. After 15 minutes to an hour, remove the towel and wash your hair. This is generally done twice per week. 

Zinc and Biotin

Nutrition plays a critical role in the health of your skin. Severe zinc deficiency is associated with a variety of skin conditions, including dandruff. Zinc may not be the end-all, be-all solution for dandruff, but combining zinc with another treatment method is worth a try.

Biotin is a B-vitamin, and has shown promising results when it comes to preventing and stopping dandruff. Biotin is essential for enzymes that regulate fat metabolism. Proper fat production is critical for the health of skin, since skin cells are rapidly replaced and in constant contact with the external environment. The best sources of biotin is egg yolk and liver, and other good sources include swiss chard, romaine lettuce, almonds, walnuts, soy, brewer's yeast, and royal jelly.

A biotin deficiency causes hair loss and scaly, red, and inflamed skin around the mouth and other areas of the face and scalp. In infants, biotin deficiency often appears as “cradle cap,” which is scale skin on the scalp.

While true biotin deficiency is rare, making sure you get adequate amounts can help prevent problems with dry, inflamed skin.

Dandruff can seems like it’s never going to go away, but there are a number of effective ways to manage it and lessen its severity, if not eliminate it. Even better, these remedies don’t involve harsh chemicals or expensive trips to the dermatologist.

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

References:

1. Mayo Clinic. Diseases and Conditions: Dandruff.

2. Pazyar N, et al. A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. International Journal of Dermatology. 2013;52:784.

3. Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. J Am Acad Dermatol. (2002) 47(6) :852-855.

4. Bae YS, Hill ND, Bibi Y, Dreiher J, Cohen AD. Innovative uses for zinc in dermatology. Dermatol Clin. 2010 Jul;28(3):587-97.  

What is Athlete's Foot?

Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection of the skin also known as tinea pedis.  The fungus thrives in warm, damp environments, such as the locker rooms, health clubs, public showers, and indoor swimming pools.

Athlete's Foot Symptoms

• Itching, burning, or stinging between the toes or on the soles of the feet.
• Scales, cracks, cuts, peeling skin or blisters between the toes or on the soles of the feet.
• Skin dryness on the sides or bottoms of the feet

If the infection spreads to under the toenails, causing thick, crumbly, discolored, or separated toenails, it is called onchomycosis and it can be very difficult to treat.

Home Remedies for Athlete's Foot

Although home remedies are widely used for athlete's foot, it's important to consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis, because your symptoms may be caused by another condition.  See a doctor immediately if you notice swelling in your foot or leg, fever, or pus in the blisters or cracks in your skin.

1) Tea Tree Oil

The most common home remedy for athlete's foot is tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia).  Tea tree oil has a long history of traditional use in Australia as a remedy for skin infections.

Studies have found tea tree oil is an antiseptic and has the ability to kill many bacteria and fungi.  Two clinical trials suggest it may help people with athlete's foot.

One study examined the effectiveness of 10% tea tree oil cream compared with 1% tolnaftate (a medicated topical anti-fungal) and placebo creams in 104 people with athlete's foot.
The tea tree oil and tolnaftate groups showed improvement in scaling, inflammation, itching, and burning compared to the placebo group, however, only the tolnaftate eradicated the fungi more effectively than a placebo.

A second study used a stronger tea tree oil solution.  The study compared the effectiveness and safety of a 25% tea tree oil solution, a 50% tea tree oil solution, and a placebo solution in 158 people with athlete's foot.  People applied the solution twice daily to affected areas for four weeks.

There was a marked clinical improvement in 68% of people using the 50% tea tree oil solution and 72% in people using the 25% tea tree oil solution, compared to 39% in the placebo group.  The fungi was eradicated in 64% of the people using the 50% tea tree oil group, compared to 31% in the placebo group.  Four people using tea tree oil developed moderate to severe dermatitis that improved when the tea tree oil was discontinued.

2) Sosa

The herb sosa (Solanum chrysotrichum) is used in Mexico as a remedy for athlete's foot.  Although preliminary studies are promising, well-designed studies are needed.

Prevention

These are some tips on how to prevent reinfection:

• Keep your feet thoroughly dry, especially between your toes.
• Wear cotton socks. Be sure to wear a fresh pair each day.
• Avoid tight, closed-toe shoes. Moisture and heat cause the athlete's foot fungus to thrive.
• Don't go barefoot in public places. Wear flip-flops.
• Use a foot powder to keep feet dry.
• Wash socks in the hot water setting of the washing machine.

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RD

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

Article courtesy of AltMedicine.About.com, and found with source here.