Damage to the skin and the hair can prove fatal which can be a result of many diseases. Psoriasis can be triggered by many factors. It is a disease that affects the skin, scalp, nails and sometimes the joints. The situation causes Silvery patches and red splotches that are painful and even bleed. Though there are various ways to treat psoriasis, Tea tree oil is considered one of the best remedies for treating many skin diseases like psoriasis.
Types of Psoriasis
There are various types of psoriasis which can affect a person, and not just one. The various types of psoriasis are: –
- Plaque Psoriasis: Plaques of red, itchy skin covered with flakes of skin appear on the body. It is extremely painful and can also affect fingernails and toenails.
- Pustular Psoriasis: One can experience scaly and red skin on the palms of the hand or the feet with tiny pustules.
- Inverse Psoriasis: One can observe red and shiny lesions appearing in skin folds such as under the breasts, armpits, and groin area.
- Guttate Psoriasis: This type of psoriasis is characterized by small red spots on the limbs and the torso. It often starts in childhood or young adulthood.
- Erythrodermic Psoriasis: This is a severe form of psoriasis in which one can experience fiery redness of the skin and excessive shedding.
Causes and Risk Factors of Psoriasis
It has been observed by various medical experts that there can be more than one cause to psoriasis. It can range from trauma and emotional stress to streptococcal infection.
Abnormality in the immune system could also be the critical cause of psoriasis as indicated by a recent study. External stress factors have a lot of influence on being a risk factor of psoriasis.
However, certain drugs, certain types of blood pressure medications, along with damaged skin can aggravate the risk of psoriasis. Psoriasis is usually genetic and runs in the family. Although it is not necessary that all the generations might be affected by it. It can skip generations.
This skin disorder can be dealt with by seeking appropriate medical help, and the symptoms might subside in a few months. There are many other symptoms such as psoriasis arthritis, psoriasis rash etc.
Tea Tree Oil for Psoriasis
Tea tree oil is an essential oil which is yellow colour. It is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca Alternifolia, also known as the tea tree plant. This plant especially grows in Australia.
It has been used for more than 100 years there to treat minor skin infections and disorders. Various studies have also suggested that tea tree oil contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which help to kill those microbes and can prove to be an effective yet simple solution to treat psoriasis.
It is also possessed with anti-inflammatory and healing properties which help the affected area to recover speedily.
Why use Tea Tree Oil for Psoriasis
Tea tree oil(1) is known to reduce redness, itching and swelling. Along with all this, an added-on benefit of it is that it helps to remove dead skin cells. Various anecdotal evidence also suggests that this oil is completely safe. Therefore, it can be used to treat psoriasis as well.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil and Other Recipes
- Massaging the affected area with tea tree oil: One can clean the affected area and pat it dry. After this, the tea tree oil can be directly used to massage the area. You can leave this for the midnight.
- Massage by mixing lavender oil, tea tree oil and coconut oil: You can choose to mix the lavender oil, tea tree oil and coconut oil in a bottle and shake them well. After shaking, you can put a few drops on the affected area and massage gently. Coconut oil moisturizes the flaky skin, and lavender oil soothes the irritated skin along with the tea tree oil.
- Tea Tree Oil and Almond Oil: You can also use the tea tree oil with almond oil. For this, you must mix two tablespoons of almond oil and 5-6 drops of tea tree oil. You can then massage this oil mixture on the affected area and leave it overnight. These two oils together avoid the risk of irritation and itching on the skin.
- Vinegar and Tea Tree Oil: For this recipe, you need to mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar along with four tablespoons of water and 4-5 drops of tea tree oil. Then, mix all these and apply to the affected area with the help of a cotton ball. This mixture helps to exfoliate the patches along with reducing the thickness of the scales.
Precautions, Side Effects, Risks and Do’s and Don’ts of Tea Tree Oil
Since all people have a different kind of skin, therefore the tea tree oil might not suit the skin of every person. Due to this, some people have reported allergic reactions to the oil which include redness, irritation, rashes, burning and swelling.
One thing a person needs to take care of is to try to dilute the tea tree oil with another base oil before using it. This reduces the risk of allergies. Also, tea tree is not to be swallowed or drunk. In case it happens, this can lead to severe rash and upset stomach.
People who need to be cautious while using tea tree oil are pregnant or breastfeeding women, boys before the onset of puberty, people who are taking vancomycin.
Other Home Remedies for Psoriasis
Other than the tea tree oil, there are various other home remedies used by people for psoriasis, such as:
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Aloe Vera Gel
Image: ShutterStock Wash the affected area with cold water and then apply Aloe Vera gel over it with gentle hands.
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Apple cider vinegar
Image: Shutterstock Mix a half cup of apple cider vinegar with water and apply over the affected area with soft hands.
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Epsom salt bath
Mix one tablespoon of Epsom salt in a bucket of lukewarm water and dip the affected portion of the skin in it. Keep it there for half an hour and then pat dry.
Bottom Line
After getting to know about the fantastic benefits of tea tree oil, it would have been helpful for you to understand how it helps to cure psoriasis. It must also be noticed that the tea tree oil comes at affordable prices and is readily available.
Therefore, one does not need to work hard to find it. You can avail the benefits of its healing properties and see if it works for your minor skin problems or wounds, especially psoriasis.
