Antimicrobial and hand hygiene effects of Tea Tree Essential Oil disinfectant: A randomised control trial

Background Hand hygiene is paramount in preventing healthcare-associated infections in medical environments and the spread of infectious diseases in non-medical environments. Aims This study used a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effects of a tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil disinfectant on hand disinfection and skin condition. Methods A tea tree oil group received 5 mL of 10% tea tree oil disinfectant mixed in a ratio of 2:2:1:15 of Melaleuca alternifolia oil, solubiliser, glycerin and sterile distilled water. Data collection took place between April 9 and April 13, 2018. The subjects were 112 healthy adults. An alcohol group received 2 mL of a gel-type hand sanitiser comprising 83% ethanol used without water; a benzalkonium chloride group received 0.8 mL of a foam-type hand sanitiser containing benzalkonium chloride used without water and a control group received no treatment. Subjective skin condition, transepidermal water loss and adenosine triphosphate were assessed, and a microbial culture test was performed following treatment. Results The general characteristics and the pretreatment dependent variables did not differ significantly by group. Posttreatment adenosine triphosphate log10 values significantly differed across all four groups (F = 3.23, P = .025). Similarly, posttreatment bacterial density log10 values differed significantly across the tea tree oil, alcohol, benzalkonium chloride and control groups (F = 91.71, P < .001). Conclusion The study confirmed that tea tree oil disinfectant is effective for hand disinfection. Accordingly, tea tree oil disinfectants may be introduced to nursing practice as a new hand hygiene product to prevent and reduce healthcare-associated infections.