Impetigo is a type of skin disease which mostly affects infants and young children. It usually happens because of the infiltration of certain particular types of bacteria through a break in an otherwise healthy skin. This condition is highly contagious and it manifests in a way that is, above all, extremely aesthetically unpleasant. The treatment you may undergo to deal with this problem largely depends on the stage the disease is at. Usually, however, mild types of impetigo can be treated at home. As such, we’ve conducted a list of the best home remedies for impetigo that you can turn to in order to deal with this affliction.
1. White Vinegar
Aside from being unpleasant looking, these skin sores characteristic to impetigo are also at great risk of infections. Therefore, it’s important to properly sanitize these sore patches and to make sure to keep bacteria at bay. You can easily do this by creating your very own sanitary solution which uses white vinegar.
Instructions:
- Add 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar to 2 cups of lukewarm water.
- Use a cotton ball to apply the solution directly to the sensitive skin areas.
- Afterwards, pat the skin dry and apply an over-the-counter ointment.
- Next, cover the area with a gauze.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times a day until the irritation fades away.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil can help by preventing the spread of the bacterial infection, keeping it at bay and making sure the condition won’t worsen. For this reason, it’s one of the most useful and proficient home remedies for impetigo around. A note of warning before anything else, though: don’t consume it orally as it might lead to some bad side effects.
Instructions:
- Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Apply this substance using your fingers or a ball of cotton for better control.
- Wait around 20-30 minutes and then clean it off using lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times a day until you’re seeing the results you desire.
3. Echinacea
Before the invention of antibiotics, people have been using Echinacea big time in order to treat infections. Even today, it remains as a great natural treatment for mild cases such as an impetigo at its beginning.
Instructions:
- You can find Echinacea most commonly as tea, so drinking a couple of cups every day should be all you need to reap its benefits.
- Alternatively, you can take on a non-oral administration by dipping a clean washcloth in some of the cooled tea. Wrap it around the affected area for 30 minutes.
4. Garlic
Garlic has strong antibacterial properties, which is exactly what you should look for in your home remedies for impetigo. It can help you keep at bay the bacteria that might colonize the rashes and kick start a nasty infection. Furthermore, garlic can also help relieve itchiness and irritation.
Instructions:
- Place 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in the microwave or over a stove and heat it up.
- Afterwards, add 2-3 minced garlic cloves to the sesame oil.
- Wait for it to cool and then strain the oil.
- Apply over the sensitive area once or twice a day every day until you’re seeing an improvement.
5. Grapefruit Seed Extract
More commonly known as GSE, this grapefruit extract can do all kinds of good for you if you’re dealing with impetigo and its unpleasant symptoms. With its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, it can really keep at bay infections in a perfectly natural and non-toxic way.
Instructions:
- The easiest method is oral administration, through taking grapefruit seed extract supplements. However, it’s mandatory to consult a doctor beforehand so that you can get the green light for it.
- You can also add a few drops of the extract to 2 tablespoons of water. Apply the solution to the sensitive area 2-3 times a day until the problem goes away.
6. Manuka Honey
Compared to regular honey, this particular assortment has much stronger antibacterial properties. This will ensure that infections won’t be coming to bother you any time soon. If you can find some, stock it up in your pantry because it can come in handy for many other things as well.
Instructions:
- Slather some of the honey directly onto the affected area and keep on for a few hours.
- Afterward, rinse the honey off with lukewarm water.
- Undergo this treatment regularly, a couple of times every day, until you get pleasing results.
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has a bunch of anti-stuff properties. In other words, its antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties are all things you absolutely need when dealing with impetigo and its side effects.
Instructions:
- Grab a fresh aloe vera leaf and then properly clean it.
- Extract the gel and then apply it directly to the affected patches of skin.
- Keep it on for around 30 minutes and then rinse off with cool water.
- Repeat for 2-3 times daily until you’re noticing improvements.
8. Turmeric
Turmeric is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties, all thanks to compounds which favor the prevention and elimination of infection-causing bacteria. Therefore, it’s no surprise we consider it one of the home remedies for impetigo you should really give a try to.
Instructions:
- Mix some turmeric powder with olive or coconut oil.
- Next, use a cotton ball dipped in the solution to apply it directly to your skin.
- Let it sit for between 20 to 30 minutes for the effects to take place.
- Clean off with lukewarm water in the end.
9. Goldenseal
Goldenseal is an herb that many people use to treat infections and inflammations. That makes it great for dealing with the blisters and sore spots associated with impetigo as well. Moreover, it will also contribute to your general health by strengthening your immune system.
Instructions:
- Add 1 teaspoon of goldenseal powder to 1 cup of water.
- Let it steep for a few minutes and then strain, waiting for the solution to cool down.
- Apply the mixture directly to the skin for 10 minutes and then pat dry.
- Repeat 2-3 times a day for proper results and benefits.
10. Cleaver
Here we have yet another herb whose main purpose is practically helping you deal with impetigo’s effects. It attacks the staph bacteria, the ‘culprit’ behind impetigo and it also helps your body fight against the general effects of the affliction.
Instructions:
- Fill a container of choice with 1 cup of water and then bring to a boil.
- Add 1 tablespoon of cleaver leaves to the boiling water.
- Wait for it to simmer for 5 minutes and then remove from heat.
- After 10 minutes of steeping, strain and drink while still warm.
- Drink one of these cups on a daily basis.
11. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is packed with acids which directly take on the bacteria that are causing impetigo. Because of this, it’s one of the most reliable and sought-after home remedies for impetigo. Aside from fighting the bacteria, it can also speed up the healing process of your body.
Instructions:
- Use a cotton ball to apply the coconut oil directly to the sensitive areas.
- Let it air dry completely and you’re set.
- Repeat this treatment as regularly as possible to get palpable results.
12. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt provides relief to those suffering from impetigo and its unpleasant side effects. One of the main ways it can do that is by soothing irritation and dealing with itchiness, one of the most difficult aspects of the affliction to deal with.
Instructions:
- Add 1 cup of Epsom salt to your normal tub of bath water.
- Soak in this mixture for around 20 minutes and then continue bathing as normally.
- Go through this motion as regularly as you can, until you start seeing the results you’re seeking.
13. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil contains rich antibacterial properties that make it one of the top-notch home remedies for impetigo. It fights the bacteria that are giving you all this trouble and it also helps deal with the itchy and painful rashes.
Instructions:
- Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a cotton pad.
- Then, gently press the cotton pad to the blister and try to keep it on for as long as possible.
- Once you remove the cotton pad, let the patch of skin dry out naturally.
- Repeat this process 4 times a day until you start seeing some results.
14. Rosemary and Thyme
We bring these two cures together because this particular combination makes one incredible remedy against impetigo. Their combined properties will attack the impetigo-causing bacteria and contribute to the healing of your body.
Instructions:
- Add some rosemary and thyme leaves to a cup of water.
- Bring to heat and let everything simmer for 40-45 minutes.
- Strain and then bring the solution to room temperature.
- Apply the mixture to the sensitive area for a few minutes and then pat dry.
Conclusion
Impetigo is contagious and uncomfortable, often a kind of condition that can sadly degenerate. However, if you’re just noticing the symptoms, you can pretty much know for certain that the home remedies for impetigo we’ve just presented are going to help you greatly with them. However, if you’re not noticing any improvements after administrating either of these treatments, you must urgently consult your doctor.
Leave a Reply