Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Five percent tea tree oil appears to effective and well tolerated in the treatment of dandruff.
Satchell
Andrew C
AC
Department of Dermatology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
Saurajen
Anne
A
Bell
Craig
C
Barnetson
Ross StC
RS
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006203:Hair Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006203:Hair Preparations; D020947:Tea Tree Oil