Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2002-12, Vol.47 (6), p.852-855
• Main Authors: Satchell, Andrew C., Saurajen, Anne, Bell, Craig, Barnetson, Ross StC
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatitis, Seborrheic - diagnosis; Dermatitis, Seborrheic - drug therapy; Dermatology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hair and nails disorders; Hair Preparations - pharmacology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Probability; Reference Values; Scalp Dermatoses - diagnosis; Scalp Dermatoses - drug therapy; Single-Blind Method; Tea Tree Oil - therapeutic use; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1067/mjd.2002.122734

Background: Dandruff appears to be related to the yeast Pityrosporum ovale. Tea tree oil has antifungal properties with activity against P ovale and may be useful in the treatment of dandruff. Objective: We conducted a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group study to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of 5% tea tree oil and placebo in patients with mild to moderate dandruff. Methods: One hundred twenty-six male and female patients, aged 14 years and older, were randomly assigned to receive either 5% tea tree oil shampoo or placebo, which was used daily for 4 weeks. The dandruff was scored on a quadrant-area-severity scale and by patient self-assessment scores of scaliness, itchiness, and greasiness. Results: The 5% tea tree oil shampoo group showed a 41% improvement in the quadrant-area-severity score compared with 11% in the placebo group ( P < .001). Statistically significant improvements were also observed in the total area of involvement score, the total severity score, and the itchiness and greasiness components of the patients' self-assessments. The scaliness component of patient self-assessment improved but was not statistically significant. There were no adverse effects. Conclusion: Five percent tea tree oil appears to effective and well tolerated in the treatment of dandruff. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;47:852-5.)