Does Tea Tree Oil Cure Ringworm?

Does Tea Tree Oil Cure Ringworm?

          Tea tree oil (TTO) is recognized for its potential in treating ringworm, which is the common name for the mold Trichophyton equinum. In horses, ringworm leads to round patches of hairless, inflamed skin, and if not treated, the infection can spread to larger areas, causing pain and making riding difficult. The disease is highly contagious, spreading through direct contact as well as contaminated environments and tack.

          A scientific study by Pisseri et al. (2009) explored the effectiveness of TTO for ringworm treatment. Sixty infected horses were divided into two groups: one group received a topical mixture containing 25% TTO, while the other was treated with 2% enilconazole, a standard antifungal medication. After 15 days, the horses were evaluated. In the TTO group, six horses showed good improvement and twenty-six showed excellent clinical scores, with complete healing of lesions and varying degrees of hair regrowth. The enilconazole group had similar results. This research demonstrates that TTO is scientifically proven to be effective in treating ringworm, offering results comparable to conventional antifungal treatments.

Reference:

Neumann, G. "Ringworm in Domestic Animals." Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics 18 (1905): 193-207.

Pisseri, F., et al. "Antifungal activity of tea tree oil from Melaleuca alternifolia against Trichophyton equinum: An in vivo assay." Phytomedicine 16.11 (2009): 1056-1058.