Benefits of Tea Tree

Someone asked me recently: How to treat acne on extremely sensitive skin? Honestly, I wouldn't know unless I see your friend's condition, Somu, but in general I will like to talk about this almost miraculous thing called tea tree, which is suitable for acned, sensitive skin... in moderation.


NOTE: TEA TREE CAN TEND TO BE DRYING. Do monitor your condition for a week at least and tune the usage accordingly. 

The best and most useful is to get the pure tea tree oil or Melaleuca alternifolia. Actually tea tree is native to Australia and used for medicinal purposes by the Aborigines.
I used to get Thursday Plantation but a lot of pharmacies' not carrying this anymore. 


So how and when can we use tea tree? Believe it or not, tea tree is extremely versatile.

Here are some of the benefits of tea tree:

Antiseptic/ Bacterial Properties:	A general disinfectant that fights bacteria in all kinds of wounds and infections.
Anti-Fungal Properties:	Treats fungal diseases affecting humans and animals.
Anti-Viral Properties:	Fights may common infectious diseases.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties:	Good skin penetration capabilities.
Antimicrobial Properties:	Extremely low potential for skin irritation or sensitisation.
Immuno-Stimulant:	Helps the body to fight off all kinds of infections. This is especially important if the body is weakened already.
Cleans Wounds:	Tea tree oil dissolves pus and cleans the surface of wounds without damage to the tissue.
Repairs Skin:	Tea tree oil helps skin to heal by by encouraging the formation of new scar tissue.

Excerpt from http://www.teatreeoiluses.com/


Basically tea tree oil can be used on skin, vaporised, inhaled, drip into nose or mouth... Well if you know you can take something orally, it certainly can do no greater harm applied in any other ways at all.

I will concentrate on it's benefits for the skin.
For bites, inflamation, cuts, acne or (the reason I got this tea tree oil) paintball wounds; dab tea tree on the spots.
Dilute it with a little water.

In my case, I spritz a layer of facial mist, then lightly massage the tea tree oil on the problem areas. I said, LIGHTLY massage. I feel tea tree oil works best when mixed with a little moisture. Too pure and it just doesn't seems to work much, in my opinion anyway.


So what about products with tea tree ingredients? Simply brilliant, I'll say!



T3 Pimple Gel by HOE PharmaceuticalsFor people who are too sensitive for prolonged use of benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, this is the perfect topical treatment for your stubborn acne.

It is mild enough for a big splat to be applied on the problem area. But pointless, really. It is kinda watery and will slip. Just use a good amount and it shall do the trick. Also this does not cause scarring. Very nice. But do not get the red T3 Pimple Gel+. Contrary to the name, it does not contain tea tree oil at all. Can get at any local pharmacies for less than $6, I think.


Derma E Tea Tree & E Antiseptic CremeWhat an interesting product. It is cream base but not oily because of the 5% tea tree oil property. I will say this is one of the best tea tree cream I've ever used. Does not clog and yet not too drying. Good as a moisturiser. I use it as a night moisturiser. Can be purchased from Nature's Farm pharmacy for about $20+.







Enfuselle Acne Clarifying Complex by Shaklee

If you have sporadic smallish bumps and pimples on the whole face, this is quite a good product for that. It contains my favourite, favourite tea tree oil and a very small amount (0.5%) salicylic acid. So it won't aggravate sensitive skin. Mild enough to be used on the whole face. But gives off a white-ish matte mask. Best used at night. Can be purchased at any Guardian pharmacies that carry Shaklee products. I think this cost about $20... Can't remember, but definitely less than $30.









Caron DepilSpa After Wax Soothing Lotion

Hehehe... Eerrr... I like this :P Bought it after my first brazillian wax. Yes it is an experience worthy of a post in itself. Anyway, I think aftercare lotion is extremely important to prevent ingrown hair and rashes. This really does it well. And it has tea tree oil. I am a sucker for things tea tree. No rash, no sore, no ingrown. Bought this from the spa for about $28. Easily available in Australia or from Australian websites for AUD25 and below.







Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Blackhead Minimising Mask

One of my absolute favourite tea tree peel off mask. It is meant for nose really, and should never, never be used on the whole face.
But some creativity on the use is definitely allowed. On days when I have big breakout, I will put a dot of this on the inflamed area, let it dry out, peel off and viola! The oil's been sucked dry, the inflamation's gone down. It really hasten the healing of big breakouts. Costs about $20. 
On a side note, tried the tea tree facial wash. Too drying for my skin. I felt like my skin's going to crack after that. Baaad!

T3 Acne Body Wash

If you have acne or tiny bumps on the back, this is one product that my mum swears by. I have the occasional bumps or two and this has helped in so far. I will say for the price, $6, it is definitely a keeper.
I will like to stress one thing though, DO NOT SCRUB your back. It will make the problem worse. So it's best to just wash it well and let it heal nicely.

If the problem is chronic, I will think Body Shop's tea tree wash is more suitable. But beware, that is only recommended for people with oily skin.

This on the other hand, is gentle for daily use and doesn't dry the skin out unnecessarily.





These are some of the products I've personally tried that contains tea tree.

There are a lot of products with tea tree oil like Kiehl, Aesop.

Always try to get a sample product, find out if it contains other ingredients like sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, AHA, esorcinol etc.

Personally, benzoyl peroxide (main ingredient of Oxy) is not my favourite way of treating pimples and salicylic acid burnt my skin 3 months ago. I will go with tea tree all the time unless it is totally unavailable.

On a side note:

Tea tree's smell is really an acquired smell. It smells quite awful really and to put it on your face and bear with it... A real feat. Once you get familiar with the smell and come to love the benefits of it though, you will like the smell, I assure you.

Drug Allergy - October 2007

On Friday night, I had my first drug allergy ever. To... aspirin! Of all things.

I remembered Julia has allergy to paraceptamol.

I don't know what to do... What an interesting thing to happen to me. Half of the time, I just chuckle and can't believe it happened to me.

I knew something wasn't right when half an hour after taking aspirin, my left eye swell up but I didn't care. I should've induced vomitting but I was so tired and lazy. I thought it will all be well after I slept. Then comes the next morning.

I can't open my left eye. I can't open my left eye!! My face is swollen! Sleeping didn't help at all!

Went to see the doctor.
The clinic attendant yelped when she saw me. Called for the doctor. Both of them looked at me with urgency, Shooed all the other patients out, made me go into the consultation room and gave me an antihistamine jab on the hip.
I sat there for a while to confirm that I am not allergic to this antihistamine. They said I should be drowsy by then but I was not until 8 hours later.
Evidently, it will take a much longer time for me to heal.

My aunt saw me on the 3rd day, when I could open both eyes. She thought I looked really bad. Both my eyes were bruised and droopy like tare panda.... If only she saw the first 2 days.


Kekeke. Now normal liao!

Now what are the symptoms of aspirin allergy?

A true aspirin allergy — in which your immune system overreacts to the drug — is rare. Signs and symptoms of aspirin allergy or sensitivity range from mild to serious and may include:

Hives
Itchy skin
Itchy, watery eyes
Swelling of the lips, tongue or face
Breathing difficulty or wheezing

These signs and symptoms usually occur within a few hours of taking the medication.
[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aspirin-allergy/AN01467]

Face swelling is considered severe already, ok? So don't be like me, stood outside the clinic, cracking stupid jokes to mum.

So we ask the usual question, why am I allergic to this now but it was fine before?

In most cases, allergies are inherited. Not to a specific allergen but the tendencies to develop allergies is much higher.

Antibodies (also known as immunoglobulins) are proteins that are found in blood or other bodily fluids of vertebrates, and are used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects, such as bacteria and viruses.

There are five types of mammalian Ig heavy chain denoted by the Greek letters: α, δ, ε, γ, and μ. The type of heavy chain present defines the class of antibody; these chains are found in IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM antibodies, respectively. Distinct heavy chains differ in size and composition; α and γ contain approximately 450 amino acids, while μ and ε have approximately 550 amino acids.
(from Wikipedia)

Our major concern is here IgE. Basically, we develop allergy reaction because IgE mistaken that particular innocuous allergen as harmful to our body.
How many times do we say, "But I was fine with this drug before!".
Truth is, we never were fine with it. Our body was making a decision about the foreign addition. After a few exposure, the antibodies increase until allergic symptoms begin to show. Which is why it seems to take a few encounters to the drug/food for the allergy to develop. Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov has a very interesting take on this.

Well... it is not the end of everything I suppose. Just no more aspirin for mentrual cramps, headaches, colds... Hmm...

Living with it:

1. Update your medical records with your company and family doctors.2. Update the medical card that you carry with you. (Some people think I am a little crazy like that but I don't care!)
3. Another alternative to your medical card is a dog-tag or wrist-tag specifying your allergy. Wilson used to wear one on his wrist, with the medic sign (caduceus entwined on the staff of Hermes) because he is of blood type A negative.4. Watch what you eat. Less milk. More eggs.


I've decided to go the holistic ways. But still learning. Will update on another post about this.



Bibliography:

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/salicylate-allergy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibody#Immunoglobulin_domains

http://www.aaoaf.org/patients/allergy_qa.asp


How to live with allergy to aspirin

http://www.ehow.com/how_5273_live-with-allergy.html