Tea tree oil treatment may help acne sufferers

Ever had an adverse reaction to topical acne treatment azelaic acid?

Researchers might have found a solution in commonly used tea tree oil.

While they have only done studies in rats and mice, the researchers found a hydrogel treatment combining azelaic acid with tea-tree oil may be more effective and safer for acne sufferers, reducing their side effects.

Azelaic acid is used topically to reduce inflammation, but it has poor penetration of the skin which means high doses are needed, leading to adverse side effects such as skin irritation, dryness, scaling, peeling and redness.

The researchers say tea tree oil has been used for several years to treat acne and their hydrogel combination treatment was found to protect the direct exposure of the drug to the skin.

They concluded the treatment promises to be effective and safe for the topical treatment of acne.

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