Do you want to get rid of that irritating Keloid? Wondering if there is a simple remedy that can give effective relief? Then tea tree oil is something you must use.

Are you interested in knowing more? Please keep reading.

Keloids – An Overview:

Keloids are scars that occur as raised and thick overgrowths on the skin (1). But they look quite different from the regular scars as they are purple, pink or flesh-coloured with a smooth surface. Moreover, the Keloids do not subside over time, thereby necessitating action to lighten or remove them. Some Keloids do get smaller and flatter after some time.

Are Keloids Harmful?

Keloids are not harmful, and the fibrous development on the skin is non-cancerous and benign. In addition, these fleshy and rubbery bumps are not at all painful. However, they can be itchy and tender to touch. The most common cause that leads to the development of a Keloid is an abnormal healing of wound due to skin damage. These damages can be due to any kind of injuries such as cuts, chicken pox, piercings, burns, acne, insect bites and skin abrasions (2).

When the body produces the collagen, a type of protein, in excess, a Keloid is formed. Collagen is known to form the dermal structure and is required by the skin to heal the wounds. When the wounds are infected or under tension, they are likely to leave the Keloid scars behind during the healing process. Studies suggest that people with dark skin are more likely to develop Keloids. In addition, the tendency to develop the Keloid can be related to your genes. These are formed mostly in people in the age group of 10 to 30 years.

Can you cure them completely? Keloids have a tendency to resist treatments, and hence, there is no permanent cure for them. However, you can always try out some home treatments such as tea tree oil for reducing the pain and tenderness.

Properties Of Tea Tree Oil:

The tea tree essential oil is obtained by the process of steam distillation of the leaves of Melaleucaalternifolia plant. It is native to Australia, and the leaves have been used for long for making tea, which is why it is named tea tree (3). Although the research regarding the health benefits of tea tree oil is limited (4), it has been particularly found to be useful in removing skin problems such as scars, abrasions, keloids and acne. Even then, it is always advisable to consult your doctor first before using it, especially if you have some kind of skin allergy.

How Effective Is Tea Tree Oil In Treating Keloids?

Tea tree essential oil is extremely good at getting rid of hypertrophic scars and keloids. What’s more, some people use it to inhibit the growth of keloids and also to get relief from the inflammation and itching that comes with them.

You can use it directly on the infected skin area or mix it with vitamin E oil and dab it with a sponge on the keloids. For those who have a tendency to suffer from rashes and allergies due to essential oils, add a few drops of the tea tree oil in a hot water solution.

Preparing The Solution:

1. To prepare the hot water solution, take a cup of warm distilled water.
2. Add half a teaspoon of sea salt and a few drops of tea tree essential oil to it.
3. Soak the area with keloids in the water for 15 minutes.
4. Repeat the treatment two times a day for at least 15 days.

You can also use the tea tree oil to treat the keloids caused due to ear piercing. Dab the tea tree oil using a cotton swab around the pierced hole 4 to 5 times a week. Let the oil stay for a while and then wash it off with warm water. At times, the tea tree oil can become too strong for the keloid, and the bump can return. Hence, try using it in a diluted form.

Avoid using tea tree oil on unhealed piercing or mucous membranes such as mouth, genitals, eyes and nostrils.

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The post How Effective Is Tea Tree Oil In Treating Keloids? appeared first on STYLECRAZE.

by Maanasi Radhakrishnan via STYLECRAZE