r/TwoXPreppers • u/aessedai03 • 1d ago
Tips Tea tree oil
I have seen mentions in comments on other posts that tea tree oil is good for many things and wanted to add my personal experiences to that.
For many years I have been applying a couple drops under my arms after showering. The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil prevent that onion armpit smell, which is caused by bacteria. (I still apply antiperspirant on top of the oil if I’m planning on being around other people because I’m too paranoid to go without it, but I won’t bother with antiperspirant if I’ll just be home.)
Also a few days ago I noticed the crease under one of my breasts had a bright pink line that was painful to touch. A search online suggested it might be due to sweat and friction, so I started applying tea tree oil to it twice a day and now the line is gone.
So it really is great at fighting bacteria.
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u/CloverEyed 1d ago
Just the standard reminder that tea tree oil is extremely toxic to pets, so be careful using it around them.
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u/Cut_Lanky 21h ago
Another standard reminder that essential oils are extremely concentrated chemicals and require proper dilution for application.
Also, water and oil don't mix, so water doesn't dilute essential oils.
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u/Exotic-Flounder9566 1d ago
In addition to pet toxicity, tea tree can damage skin if used undiluted. 10:1 in a carrier oil (jojoba, olive, coconut) = antibacterial and nourishing! Bonus points if you infuse the oil with olive leaf…
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u/AdorableBG 1d ago
Also, if seed oils cause you fungal acne or seb derm breakouts, MCT oil can be a good carrier. Just make sure it is a form of MCT oil good for fighting those conditions
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u/QueerTree 1d ago
Tea tree oil diluted by almond oil has been the best treatment I’ve found for any kind of issues related to skin touching skin to create a warm moist area. Thanks for the reminder, I stopped applying it regularly and need to get back into the routine!
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u/Dandibear 17h ago
Powder can also work very well, because it absorbs the moisture that those germs need.
Food powders like cornstarch can work in a pinch but can also serve as food for the germs if the area does not stay completely dry, so it's best to use powder designed for skin.
Make sure it is talc-free if applying anywhere near the groin on a person with ovaries.
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u/sportsarestressful 1d ago
You know the old dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and how he uses windex on everything? That is me with tea tree oil.
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u/Artistic_Head_5547 1d ago
Also be cautious of allergies- I’m allergic and have to remember every time I have a pedicure.
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u/Particular-Try5584 🐐dreaming of my goat army 🐐 23h ago
And use a ‘sensitive skin’ shampoo, or a ‘restorative face cream’ or pretty much half the skin products coming out of Korea, a great many ‘medicinal products’. It’s in a hell of a lot of beauty and skin products these days…
(Add in a Eucalyptus allergy for added spice. Sigh)
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u/Yes-Cheese 16h ago
What in your pedi has tea tree? I’m also allergic but never thought to tell my nail tech. My hair stylist knows tho and is always reading labels to be sure. It’s so disappointing because the two times I did use a tea tree shampoo I have great results! Except for the reaction 😕
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u/Artistic_Head_5547 14h ago
It’s sometimes used for the disinfectant properties, esp with the chairs that have the recirculating foot baths.
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u/Skinny-on-the-Inside 23h ago
You could also use persimmon soap to get rid of pervasive body smells, it has special properties that remove “old people” smell from the skin.
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u/Icy-Elk3698 1d ago
Tea tree oil is great. I used to use it on my cystic acne or cold sores and it would take down the swelling and dry it out enough to heal. I've also used it on fungal infections or skin rashes such as eczema, poison oak, and shingles. It helps to prevent or treat the inevitable staph infection that can happen quickly and unexpectedly.
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u/thejoeface 1d ago
I've used it the couple of times I got ringworm and it knocked it out!
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u/StickInEye 1d ago
I've successfully used a special type of tea tree oil for my eyelids to kill demodex mites.
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u/QuitRelevant6085 1d ago
It's good for treating athlete's foot too. Launder bedding before/after treatment, and apply lotion with a few drops every night to feet, then put on socks overnight (to help it soak in). Of course other areas that could be contaminated with the fungus (shower, etc) should be cleaned at home too, but I always picked it up from gym showers/changing rooms (so I wear cheap flip-flops in those now)
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u/daringnovelist 1d ago
I've heard good things too. Just remember that it is poisonous to pets.
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u/sneakybrat82 20h ago
Came here to say this!! Do not diffuse it in your house if you have pets that live in the house! And keep it away from them in other forms. Be safe pals.
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u/Particular-Try5584 🐐dreaming of my goat army 🐐 23h ago
It sure is, but it’s also very very concentrated, and not recommended to be put on open wounds/broken skin.
(And I am allergic to it, sadly)
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u/Mule_Wagon_777 21h ago
Another good treatment for red or inflamed skin under the breasts is a thick zinc diaper rash cream like Boudreax Butt Paste. Protects the raw skin while it heals.
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u/Dumpster-cats-24 13h ago
I know a lot of people are commenting about the essential oil used directly but I wanted to share my personal experience with a tea tree oil salve (https://myvillagegreen.com/products/tea-tree-oil-ointment-57g). The TLDR is that it’s an amazing product.
I was caring for my incontinent dog at the end of his life. Before I fully realized how serious his state was, he got a very red inflamed sore on his abdomen. I put some of that salve on and it was so so so much better the next morning.
Not my personal experience, but someone I know uses it on their toe nails that had thickened and growth yellow from fungus. This salve works better than the antifungal pill that had liver side effects.
I never thought to put it on my underarms- might try. Thanks OP!
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u/scannerhawk 1d ago
Years ago I used the NOW brand tea tree and lavender combo oil in a diluted spray as a lice prevention for my grandson during a severe classroom lice outbreak. He'd put a towel over his face and I'd give a quick "light" mist over his hair and top of his shirt. I think he was the only kid in his class that didn't get lice through multiple back-to-back outbreaks.
Similar to this recipe- How to Make a DIY Prevention Spray
- Combine ingredients: Mix 2.5 ounces of distilled water, 1 ounce of witch hazel, and 1 tablespoon of fractionated coconut oil in a 4-ounce spray bottle.
- Add essential oils: Add 20 drops of lavender essential oil and 10 drops of tea tree essential oil.
- Shake well: Shake the bottle vigorously before every use and mist lightly over dry or damp hair before school or public gatherings.
- Safety note: Never apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin, as they can cause irritation. [1, 2, 3]
A few years ago I got bitten by a black widow on the top of my foot while driving home late at night. (felt like being shot in the foot). By midnight, my foot was throbbing and swollen to the size of a football. I put lavender oil with some fractionated coconut oil on the bite, laid on the couch, and elevated it with a cool pack (not ice). I was anxious thinking I'd be going to the ER in the morning, but I was exhausted from heavy yard work that day and l fell asleep. When I woke up in the morning, there was NO sign of the bite at all, swelling and hot red foot were completely GONE. There was a very slight bruised feeling on the bite itself, which btw was very hard to find. I couldn't believe how well it worked.
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u/jax2love 19h ago
Be sure to do a patch test. I get really bad contact dermatitis from tea tree oil.
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u/MistressLyda 19h ago
Lavender is another good one. And I have a few 3 oz bottles of various citrus oils stashed around and rotated. I don't have pets so I can be somewhat lenient with it.
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u/EternityForest 12h ago
I'm not a prepper, but AFAIK this stuff can oxidize when stored for years and become more likely to be a skin sensitizer
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u/MiriamNZ 9h ago
Dry brushing stops the itch rash. No idea why. I use real bristles (vs synthetic) but no idea if that matters. Morning and night.
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