Tea tree oil is recognized as an effective topical regimen for the clearance of MRSA colonizations. Below is a direct quote on tea oil from a study cited by the National Center for Biotechnology Information:

Two topical MRSA eradication regimes were compared in hospital patients: a standard treatment included mupirocin 2% nasal ointment, chlorhexidine gluconate 4% soap, silver sulfadiazine 1% cream versus a tea tree oil regimen, which included tea tree 10% cream, tea tree 5% body wash, both given for five days. One hundred and fourteen patients received standard treatment and 56 (49%) were cleared of MRSA carriage. One hundred and ten received tea tree oil regimen and 46 (41%) were cleared. There was no significant difference between treatment regimens (Fisher's exact test; P = 0.0286). Mupirocin was significantly more effective at clearing nasal carriage (78%) than tea tree cream (47%; P = 0.0001) but tea tree treatment was more effective than chlorhexidine or silver sulfadiazine at clearing superficial skin sites and skin lesions. The tea tree preparations were effective, safe and well tolerated and could be considered in regimens for eradication of MRSA carriage.†

The Wisconsin Division of Public Health notes in its Guidelines for Clinical Management and Control of Transmission of MRSA the benefits of tea tree oil: "Daily bathing or showering using an antibacterial agent such as chlorhexidine gluconate is recommended during mupirocin treatment to improve chances of eradication. Alternative treatment with tea tree oil body lotion and shampoo have been shown effective in achieving decolonization, and have the benefit of being less harsh on the skin."

Be aware that some research indicates that only tea tree oil products containing concentrations above 4% should be used in the fight against MRSA. Reuters reports that a comprehensive study of treating MRSA with tea tree oil is underway and is expected to be completed in November 2010.

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  1. † Source:
    National Center for Biotechnology Information     [↩]