This is a highly contagious skin infection which is usually happening on the legs, arms, neck, and face. There are two types of bacteria that cause impetigo, and they are called Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.
These bacteria can infect your skin through a break, such as an insect bite, cut, or other injuries, in otherwise healthy skin or through skin damage due to some underlying conditions like eczema or scabies.
There are several different types of impetigo, such as ecythma, bullous impetigo, and impetigo contagiosa. This condition can happen to every single person, but it is very common among infants and young children [1].
There are many risks for impetigo, such as impaired immunity, diabetes, dermatitis, skin infections, warm weather, poor hygiene, and regularly attending a daycare or school. Symptoms of this condition can vary on the type. The most common symptoms of impetigo are swollen lymph nodes, skin lesions, itchiness or a rash on the affected area, fluid-filled blisters, honey-colored crust that forms after the pustules burst, and red sores that pop easily.
The treatment of this condition depends on the severity of impetigo. When someone has a mild case of impetigo, then it can be treated with home remedies and good hygiene. If this infection spreads quickly and you have no relief from the symptoms, then you should talk with your doctor about it. You should not touch the affected skin too often. Also, you should clean surface areas at your home using antibacterial products.
10 Home remedies for impetigo
Contents
Manuka honey
This natural cure has healing, antiseptic, and analgesic properties which can inhibit the growth of the bacteria that is a reason for impetigo [2]. Also, it can speed up the healing process of the sores on the skin, and it can boost your immunity. You should spread some manuka honey on the affected area. Let it stay there for a few hours before you wash it off with lukewarm water. You should repeat this natural treatment a few times per day for a period of a few days. Also, you should eat one to two teaspoons of manuka honey every day because it can help your body to fight the bacteria.
Dietary changes
When you eat a healthy diet, this can help you to promote fast recovery, boost immunity and fight the infection. You should include fresh vegetable and citrus fruit juices in your diet.
You should consume fruits and vegetables which are rich in antioxidants because they can help your body fight off the infection. You should drink two to three glasses of fresh apple juice every day. Also, you should increase your intake of Omega – 3 fatty acids. You should avoid fried foods and refined sugars for some time.
You should eliminate or reduce red meats from your diet until the impetigo has cleared. Also, you should be sure to drink an ample amount of water throughout the day because this can help your body to be hydrated.
Garlic
This is also a very effective home remedy for treating impetigo because it has natural antibiotic properties, which can help to kill bacteria [3]. Also, it can give you relief from the pain and itchiness. You should heat two tablespoons of sesame oil and fry two or three minced garlic cloves in it. Cool it and strain this oil. You should apply it to the affected area once or twice per day for a period of a few days. Also, people who have impetigo can try adding a few raw garlic cloves to their diet. If you take garlic supplements, you should always talk with your doctor about it.
Grapefruit seed extract
This is a very effective natural cure for curing impetigo. It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, and it works as a non–toxic disinfectant. You should add a few drops of grapefruit seed extract to two tablespoons of water. You should apply it to the affected area using a cotton ball two or three times per day. It can cause some itching in the beginning, but you will notice that this home remedy will cure the infection soon. Also, you can take grapefruit seed extracts two times per day because this can speed up the recovery process. You should always talk with your doctor before you take any supplements.
Tea tree oil
This natural cure halts the spread of this bacterial infection. This essential oil has strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help to fight the infection, and they will give you relief from the symptoms [4].
You should add a few drops of tea tree oil to one tablespoon of olive oil. You should apply this mixture thoroughly over the affected area. You should let it stay there for 20 – 30 minutes, and then you should rinse it off using lukewarm water. You should do this natural treatment two to three times per day for a period of a few days. Also, you can add a few drops of tea tree oil to a small tub of lukewarm water. You should use this home remedy to wash the affected area a few times per day. You should never use this oil orally because it can make you side effects on your body.
Zinc
This mineral is one of the best for improving immunity. It can interact with a cellular process that can neutralize bacterial infections, and it can help to balance the normal immune response. Also, it can help to reduce the risk of impetigo among premature babies. You should include foods that are rich in zinc, such as fortified cereals, whole grains, shellfish, nuts, and beans. Also, you can take a zinc supplement of 15-25 mg per day because it can help you to fight the infection. You should always talk with your doctor before you take zinc supplements. [5]
Heat therapy
This natural cure also can help you to cure impetigo. The heat will kill the bacteria, which is responsible for impetigo. Also, it can help you to dry the lesions and sores which are caused by impetigo. You should soak a washcloth in hot water, and you should wring out the excess liquid. You should apply the warm washcloth to the affected areas and let it stay there for a few minutes. You should repeat this natural treatment several times per day. Also, you can use a blow dryer to apply the heat to the affected area. You should keep the settings on the blow dryer to a minimum.
White vinegar
It is very important to keep the affected area clean because this can help to promote the healing of the skin sores. You can use either antibiotic wash or water. Also, you can prepare your own antibiotic solution with white vinegar. Also, it can help to stop the spread of the infection, and it can dry up the affected area. You should mix one tablespoon of white distilled vinegar with two cups of lukewarm water. You should use a cotton ball to wash the infected skin with this natural cure. Pat the skin dry, and then you should apply an over–the–counter antibiotic ointment. You should cover the area lightly using gauze. You should repeat this natural treatment two or three times per day until the infection is gone. You should scrub the area while you wash it because it can irritate your skin. [6]
Aloe Vera
This is a very effective home remedy for treating impetigo because it has skin–repairing, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Also, it has antioxidants that can boost your immunity to help fight the infection. Cut open a fresh Aloe Vera leaf and extract the inner gel. You should apply it directly to the affected skin, and you should let it stay there for at least thirty minutes. You should reapply for this natural treatment two or three times per day for a period of one week. Also, you can drink Aloe Vera juice every day because it can help you to have strong immunity. [7]
Goldenseal
You can use the goldenseal as your natural treatment for impetigo. Also, it has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which can help disinfect blisters and skin sores. Also, it can help to strengthen your immune system.
You should prepare a cup of herbal tea by steeping one teaspoon of goldenseal powder in one cup of hot water for ten minutes. You should strain it, and then you should allow it to cool. You should use this natural cure to clean the infected area two times per day for a period of a few days.
Also, you can apply goldenseal lotion or cream, which you can find in markets. Apply some of the mentioned items on the infected skin two or three times per day for a period of a week. Also, you can opt to take this herb in supplement form. For suitability and the correct dosage, you should talk with your doctor. [8]
References
[1] Epps RE. Impetigo in pediatrics. Cutis. 2004;73(5 Suppl):25-6.
[2] McLoone P, Oluwadun A, Warnock M, Fyfe L. Honey: A therapeutic agent for disorders of the skin. Central Asian Journal of Global Health. 2016;5(1):241.
[3] Zardast M, Namakin K, Kaho JE, Hashemi SS. Assessment of antibacterial effect of garlic in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori using urease breath test. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. 2016;6(5):495-501.
[4] Martin KW, Ernst E. Herbal medicines for treatment of bacterial infections: a review of controlled clinical trials. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2003;51(2):241-6.
[5] Darmstadt GL, Osendarp SJ, Ahmed S, et al. Effect of antenatal zinc supplementation on impetigo in infants in Bangladesh. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 2012;31(4):407-9.
[6] Oakley A. Management of impetigo. Best Practice Journal (BPJ). 2009;19:8-11.
[7] Tabassum N, Hamdani M. Plants used to treat skin diseases. Pharmacognosy Review. 2014;8(15):52-60.
[8] Rangineni J. Effect of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) on bacterial multi drug resistant efflux pumps. Clemson University: All Dissertations. 2011;785.
