One Year Old, Runny Nose, and Humidifier + Tea Tree Oil?

Don't think I'd do this. Ask the doctor for some actual advice rather than trusting everything on the internet.

I'm not sure there's anything proven about tea tree oil - it's been a fad for a while now for a whole host of ills, but I'm not sure there's anything concrete about it relieving congestion. I wouldn't put anything in the humidifier at all, but if it has a little cup where the steam comes out, that's for any variety of products that may or may not have benefit. In fact, there's a ton of debate on humidifiers themselves (warm mist, cool mist) and whether they moisturize the tissues or just create sources of mold.

You can find a zillion things on the internet when doing "research" (not always from reliable sources despite some authentic-sounding names which can easily confuse any frustrated parent). Most people try to elevate the head end of the bed by putting a folded blanket under the mattress. That helps the drainage a little. Usually by the time you figure things out, the cold has run its course. Hydrate hydrate hydrate him as much as you can - water, fruit popsicles, jello, anything. Go easy on dairy - that increases mucus in a lot of people.

I'm sorry your little guy is so miserable.

i love tea tree oil for skin issues, but haven't heard about putting it in a humidifier. and i'd be pretty leery about doing so for a sick infant after a 'little research.'
a single drop of eucalyptus oil, now. that i'd do. but only one. your baby is very young, and you don't want to overwhelm him with strong scents.
have you tried the old vicks vapor rub on the bottom of his feet and then warm socks thing?
it's a good thing.
khairete
S.

Essential oils can be very harsh. They're highly concentrated. I would not put any of them into a humidifier without asking the doctor first, and I also think your husband may be confusing tea tree with eucalyptus, as others have noted below. Eucalyptus is often used in relation to breathing issues but tea tree oil is an anti-fungal and antiseptic oil used on things like skin fungus and acne. Yes, I've seen online listings saying you can use it in baths to help with breathing etc. but I frankly would be wary of doing so for a child as young as yours. .

I'd get over-the-counter Vicks products that are commonly used, rather than experiment with oils in a humidifier, since whatever's in the humidifier will get breathed in for a longer time than a simple ointment rub. And I'd ask the doctor.

Do be sure to use the humidifier, though. Just using it consistently and a lot will help, oils or no oils. Be sure it's a "cool mist" humidifier and not a warm mist version -- cool mist is much better for congestion (ask the pediatrician).

I wouldn't use tea tree oil, but instead eucalyptus oil. As long as it is not touching the skin it should be fine, I don't think either would damage the skin but maybe cause irritation.

Breathing it in is fine, it is from a tree plant native to Australia.

I don't know about in the humidifier, like the others I use Vicks. However, for my son with a similar problem, the doctor recommended a Eucalyptus and tea tree body wash. I think it was Earth's Best. I remember the bottle was yellow and I got it at Babies R Us. It's been 3 years, so my memory isn't that great.

I don't know - I've never used it that way.
My Mom used Vick Vapor Rub on my chest when my sister and I were young - I still find it comforting when I have a cold and I will always use it.
I think there's a baby version of it now but some pediatricians advise against using it.

Good advice below. Ii would suggest asking your pediatrician. Poor baby.

I don't know enough about tea tree oil to reply to that part sorry.
However, I had a vaporizer/humidifier thing where you added Vicks oil to it. But it did not go in the water. It had a separate place you put it. I would be concerned that oil would affect the humidifier.