Tea tree oil and silver are both good antiseptics that can kill different types of micro-organisms, but researchers from the University of Wolverhampton presented their research at the Society for General Microbiology Meeting which showed that combining tea tree oil and silver nitrate makes a more effective antimicrobial. The combination was able to kill Staphylococcus aureus, which causes abscesses and cellulitis, and Candida albicans, a yeast which causes intertrigo.

This discovery led the researchers to use oils similar to the skin’s natural oils to deliver the mixture to infected wounds. Because this delivery method causes the medicine to be released slowly, the researchers were able to use lower doses of both chemical and reduce side effects.

Researchers are making great strides in understanding how wounds heal and I think it’s a fascinating area of study. I predict that wound care in 5 years will be completely different than wound care now.