Safety and side effects

Most people can use tea tree oil on their skin with no problems. However, tea tree oil can cause:

• Skin irritation.
• Allergic skin rash, also called dermatitis.
• Itching.
• Stinging.
• Burning.
• Dryness.

Don't use tea tree oil if you have eczema or very sensitive skin. The tea tree oil can irritate your skin.

Tea tree oil is toxic when taken by mouth. Serious side effects can happen, such as:

• Confusion.
• Problems with muscle control and movement, called ataxia.
• Problems breathing.
• Higher white blood cell count.
• A deep state of sleep where a person doesn't respond, called coma.

One small case report found that applying lavender oil and tea tree oil might have led to swelling of the breast tissue, also known as gynecomastia, in a young boy. Researchers don't know if lavender oil or tea tree oil was the cause.