Home Remedies for Impetigo – The Fight Against A School Disease You Need to Know

Home Remedies for Impetigo – The Fight Against A School Disease You Need to Know

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Introduction

Impetigo might cause your baby’s skin to look very annoying. Even worse, this problem is highly contagious. Thus, you need to know what it is so that you can help your babies and yourself prevent it in advance.

This article on Authority Remedies will enable you to know what causes impetigo, its symptoms and top 15 natural home remedies for impetigo.

What is Impetigo?

Impetigo refers to a skin problem that is more likely to be recorded in children and babies [1][2].

It is a contagious infection and comes with the appearance of red sores. The most common areas affected by impetigo are nose and mouth.

Ecthyma, unlike impetigo, is an infection which is more severe, going deeply into your skin and producing pus-filled sores and fluid that are extremely painful.

What Causes Impetigo?

The primary cause for impetigo is the bacterial infection. Some get it from the streptococcus, while others suffer from impetigo due to Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria can penetrate into your burn or an open wound and cause problems. It is also the reason why the mouth and nose are the most vulnerable parts to impetigo.

Besides, some possible factors increase your risk of developing impetigo:

  • The weak immunity

When the immune system is weak, the risk of impetigo is higher as well. The immune system is the ultimate shield to protect the human body from bacteria and virus. Any problem with the immunity can be responsible for a failure to combat bacteria. Infants have a high possibility of impetigo because their resistance is not strong enough.

  • Contact sports

It is crucial to remember that this problem can be transmitted very quickly from human to human. As a result, even teenagers can suffer from impetigo if they contact with an affected individual.

The risk is even higher when your children take part in some sports which probably cause open wounds and injuries, such as football or wrestling.

Therefore, keep yourself and your children as far away from infected ones as possible once you see symptoms of impetigo.

  • Health problems

Infants are not the only victim of impetigo. This problem can affect adults who have already experienced some health problems, such as diabetes or ecthyma. Ecthyma has some risky complications, for example, kidney inflammation.

Besides, cold sores, eczema, and chickenpox are typical examples of issues that might make you get impetigo as well.

Is Impetigo Contagious?

As you might not know about, impetigo is significantly contagious. It can spread easily from a person to another through the direct contact with lesions or by touching some items like sheets, toys or clothing, which is used by infected individuals.

Indirect transmission is not more frequent than the direct one. Group A streptococci as well as staphylococci, known as organisms, mostly cause impetigo.

Some people even prefer considering impetigo as a “school disease,” which means that classrooms are a possible catalyst for your children’s problem.

In case you use an oral antibiotic, you can delay the spreading of the infection for about 1-2 days.

Good hygiene plays a crucial role in controlling the spread of this problem. Once you detect impetigo, the suggestion is to wash everything that person has contacted with, including towels, clothes, or even toys.

Symptoms of Impetigo

The first impetigo symptom is undoubtedly the emergence of red sores in some specific areas. They might start resembling small pimples and then, grow significantly over time. If not addressed on time, these red sores can expand to other areas very quickly.  

Few people experience swollen glands as a side effect of impetigo. In some severe cases, the painful feeling is often seen, and these sores can develop into deep ulcers. Some other severe signs of impetigo are nausea, fever, or general malaise. If you notice one of these signs, it is imperative to ask your doctor for consultation.

Home Remedies for Impetigo

There are some elements to affect the process of evaluating the severity of the infection, such as ages or the weather.

However, in most mild cases, you can totally get rid of impetigo at home by making some changes in hygiene and applying some natural home remedies for impetigo.

Below are top 15 simple natural home remedies for impetigo that you can apply to help your babies get rid of this problem quickly.

1. Garlic

Garlic is the first one of the top home remedies for impetigo you should know. With the anti-bacterial quality that results from allicin, garlic is super useful in the elimination of bacteria from your skin[3][4]. Also, garlic is great in detoxifying.

Garlic - Home Remedies for Impetigo
Garlic
  • Take some fresh garlic cloves in your mouth.
  • Chew them raw immediately to get rid of impetigo and its discomforts soon.

If you cannot use garlic in this way, garlic oil or supplements are great alternative methods.

2. Tea Tree Oil

In incredible ways to make use of tea tree oil, it is one of the most effective natural home remedies for impetigo, the bacterial infection causing impetigo will be stopped instantly [5][6]. It is thanks to the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial quality of tea tree oil.

Tea Tree Oil - Home Remedies for Impetigo
Tea Tree Oil
  • First, you need to mix several drops of tea tree oil with one spoon of olive oil.
  • Get the mixture applied over the areas affected by impetigo.
  • After about 20-30 minutes, use warm water to wash these areas.

This should be applied at least twice per day to help with impetigo home treatments as soon as possible.

3. Grapefruit Seed

With antioxidant and antibacterial qualities, grapefruit seed extract is the next excellent choice among the best home remedies for impetigo [7]In case you cannot get the extract, GSE supplements are strongly recommended, but you can use it only with the advice from a doctor.

Grapefruit Seed Extract - Home Remedies for Impetigo
Grapefruit Seed Extract
  • Get several drops of this extract and 2 spoons of water.
  • Have the mixture rubbed over the areas which impetigo affects with the help of a cotton ball.

When the mixture contacts your skin, you may experience itchiness. Do not worry as it is a natural reaction. You might want to read How To Get Rid of Itchy Skin 

4. Hot Water

It sounds to be one of the simplest natural home remedies for impetigo, doesn’t it? It is true that you are completely able to get rid of impetigo by preparing a bowl of boiling water.

It does not cost much time and money to get one, right? The heat from the water will stop the growth of bacteria and therefore, prevent impetigo from expanding to other parts of the body. In addition, it even kills the bacteria effectively.

Hot Compress - Home Remedies for Impetigo
Hot Compress
  • Dip a clean cloth into boiling water.
  • It should be squeezed to remove excess water.
  • Place the cloth over the areas affected by impetigo.

5. Goldenseal

Goldenseal is one of the best home remedies for impetigo because it can deal with the root of impetigo. The herb has fantastic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, which help address the problem and prevent it from spreading at the same time.

Goldenseal - Home Remedies for Impetigo
Goldenseal
  • Take some spoons of goldenseal and grind it into powder.
  • Combine the powder and enough water to get a thick paste.
  • The paste should be applied over the areas affected by impetigo several times per day.

6. Manuka Honey

With antibacterial and antiseptic qualities, manuka honey can be considered as one of the most useful home remedies for impetigo [8][9]. In addition, it can speed up the healing process. Another benefit of manuka honey is to strengthen your immune system.

  • Manuka honey can be rubbed over the areas affected by impetigo.
  • Several hours later, you can use warm water to wash these areas.

This method can be followed a few times per day. Alternatively, you can consume some spoons of manuka honey to get the best results.

Also, honey is known as among top home remedies for staph infection.

7. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera - Home Remedies for Impetigo
Aloe Vera

The fact that aloe vera can provide much moisture to help you stay away from Dry Skin has been well-known for years. Therefore, if you want to get rid of impetigo and its annoying symptoms, such as itchiness, you can use aloe vera gel instantly.

Or you can consume the juice made from it to strengthen the body’s immunity to fight against the bacteria. This is the reason why it becomes one of the best home remedies for impetigo.

You might want to read Top Superfoods For A Strong Immunity 

8. Olive Oil

According to some Turkish researchers, there are some special compounds in olive oil, such as rutin and oleuropein, which are very powerful in treating the harmful bacteria, including the ones causing impetigo. Thus, olive oil is one of the best natural home remedies for impetigo.

  • Get some drops of olive oil applied over the areas affected by impetigo.
  • Several minutes later, wash the skin with warm water.

9. Echinacea

With antiviral and antibiotic properties, echinacea is among greatest home remedies for impetigo treatment. It protects other areas of your body from being attacked by the bacteria causing impetigo. You can mix this herb with water and use the mixture to rub over the areas affected by impetigo.

Echinacea - Home Remedies for Impetigo
Echinacea

There is only one note to remember. Sufferers of AIDS had better not use this remedy because it can be harmful to them.

10. Lavender Oil

Like other natural oils in the list of top natural home remedies for impetigo, lavender oil can replicate the same results.

How to apply:

  • Dip a cotton swab on the lavender oil.
  • The cotton swab should be placed over the areas affected by impetigo in several minutes.

You can apply this method 2-3 times on a daily basis to get rid of impetigo quickly.

11. Calendula

The answer for the best home remedies for impetigo fast is no longer hard to say thanks to calendula. Every type of calendula can be used as the best natural home remedies for impetigo.

You can purchase its gel, cream or tincture form. It can help you escape from the pain caused by impetigo instantly. If you do not have much time, you can even rub it directly on the skin areas affected by impetigo.

12. Turmeric

Turmeric can enhance our immunity, which is a common belief. And this quality makes it perfect to become one of the most excellent home remedies for impetigo.

When the body gets the nutrients it needs to become strong, it can fight against the bacteria on its own. In case you want to dig deeper into turmeric, please read 10 Benefits of Turmeric That You Might Not Know.

  • Prepare powdered turmeric and mix it with warm milk.
  • Consume the mixture at least twice per day.

13. Beans

Beans - Home Remedies for Impetigo
Beans

Zinc has significant effects on the impetigo treatment and foods that can supply a great amount of zinc are the greatest natural home remedies for impetigo. With this goal, you can seek for beans and bring them more frequently in your daily consumption, as beans are exactly full of zinc.

14. Apple Cider Vinegar

The strong acidity of this vinegar is absolutely appropriate for the efforts to eliminate the bacteria on your skin. Thus, it serves as efficiently as other home remedies for impetigo in the list.

However, it needs to be diluted before being rubbed on the skin unless you want to damage your skin.

How to apply:

  • Pour 1-2 spoons of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water.
  • Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and put it over the areas affected by impetigo. Remember that you should never use bare hands to touch the red sores.
  • Several minutes later, use warm water to wash it away.

Read also 16 Suprising Ways That Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits You

15. Apple Juice

What you need most during the impetigo treatment is a strong immune system. And to achieve this objective, you need to choose more fruits and vegetables. Apple is an ideal choice and therefore, one of the best natural home remedies for impetigo. Consuming fresh apple juice 2-3 times per day will enable you to get rid of impetigo as soon as possible.

When to See A Doctor

If the situation is severe and you see it develop very fast, you had better seek for doctors immediately. Our natural home remedies for impetigo are only helpful in mild circumstances.

Once you have your expert examine your condition and diagnose your impetigo, the possibility is that he or she gives you a topical antibiotic cream. They are quite a common way to address this problem; however, using antibiotic creams is not our favorite way.

Besides, you can get oral antibiotics in case your impetigo has become an outbreak on a massive scale.

How Long Does Impetigo Last?

Although the home remedies for impetigo can help people get rid of this problem, nothing will guarantee that they work for you. Thus, the recommendation is to consult your doctor once you have found impetigo.

Typically, if you have the appropriate treatment, impetigo will disappear within a week or up to 10 days. But this time depends on many factors, such as your possible infection or your skin conditions. If you have some skin diseases, it will take a longer time to address your impetigo.

Complications

In general, impetigo rarely has complications, and adults are more likely to get them. Less than 5 percent of those who suffer from nonbullous impetigo develop a dangerous problem, causing inflammation in their kidneys.

Besides, they might experience some of other complications, such as:

  • Cellulitis that might have adverse effects on your bloodstream
  • Sepsis which refers to the blood’s bacterial infections
  • Guttate psoriasis, which is responsible for skin infections in both children and adults
  • Scarlet fever which is a rare infection
  • Lymphangitis which means that your lymphatic channels get inflamed

As you can see, most complications of impetigo are associated with the infections. Some happen to your skin surface only, while many have significant impacts on the inner parts. Thus, it is essential that you treat impetigo as soon as possible to avoid all complications.

And even more importantly, you have to learn how to prevent impetigo!

How To Prevent Impetigo

Even though impetigo is widespread and contagious, you can take actions to lower the risk of impetigo to protect yourself and your loved ones.

In addition to getting to know top home remedies for impetigo, you also need a prevention program.

Take a note that if any of your family member or even a friend is contracting impetigo, please do not touch that skin. Also, stay away from his items like towels, clothes, sheets, and pillows because the bacteria triggering impetigo can adequately survive on these things. Last but not least, parents had better wash those items in hot water.

Admittedly, there are a few of good habits supporting you in impetigo prevention.

Good hygiene

Having a shower or a bath frequently is essential to keep impetigo far away. It is even more necessary to teach your infants and children to do so because they usually underestimate washing the hands.

Show them how to apply soap to the skin to keep it clean, especially after they do sports or going to toilet. You can make use of some natural hand soaps which provide antibacterial qualities. Coconut oil, peppermint oil, or vitamin E oil can be a great addition.

Check your skin condition

You had better observe the skin that is irritated or scraped, such as a mosquito bite. Do not scratch and try to keep those areas covered and clean and covered.

To prevent scratching, you can use clean gauze or bandages to cover the open wound or cuts. It also helps to prevent other people from contacting your problem.

Keep your home dry

The humid and wet environment provides a favorable condition for impetigo to grow and spread. Therefore, you should find some ways to make your home dry. Air conditions might be a handy thing to remove the humidity.

Nevertheless, you might want to consider getting a dehumidifier if the climate is very humid.

Keep the nails clean and short

Fingernails are a possible source of many bacteria, dirt, fungi, and viruses. Therefore, if your small children do not wash their hands, including the nails, carefully, they might use the hands to touch open skin, which finally leads to impetigo.

Diet for your immunity

As the immune system plays a vital role in the fight of impetigo, you need to enhance it as much as possible. And you cannot skip foods which are beneficial for your immunity. A balanced diet consists of various nutrients which have positive impacts on your body.

  • Maximize the consumption of vegetables and fruit, especially citrus fruit because they are an excellent source of vitamin C. Many of them belong to the group of top home remedies for impetigo as well
  • Drink enough water on a daily basis. Dehydration can put your life in danger
  • Lean proteins should be a fantastic option for your diet
  • Also, you need to pay attention to some kinds of foods that cause inflammation, such as processed foods
  • Limit the use of alcohol and caffeine
  • Try fresh fruit juice every day to enhance the removal of toxins from your body

Conclusion

Impetigo should be seen as a dangerous problem, especially when its primary victims are infants and children. If your baby has already got it, our natural home remedies for impetigo can be a quick answer for you.

If he or she luckily does not experience impetigo, then you should be more concerned about our critical prevention tips to protect your child from this problem. SHARE the article to make people know about this problem and how we can take actions to avoid it!

*Disclaim: The effectiveness from applying these natural tips will be depended on the body condition of the applicant.

To help us reach out millions of outside readers, do not forget to LIKE and SHARE if you find this article helpful!

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