Home Remedies for Impetigo

Manuka Honey
Posted by Ria (New York) on 08/14/2016
5 out of 5 stars

Hello, I wanted to discuss my struggle with impetigo and worked. Basically, I used the strongest power of Manuka Honey I could find (I think it was 550+) and it basically cured me. That, in combination with fresh turmeric paste (you have to buy the root- it looks like fresh ginger but orange inside). Cutting out sugar and wheat is a must. Sugar feeds staph.

I put the manuka honey directly above the staph on my chin, so the honey would trickle down onto the affected area. If I put it on the area directly, for some reason, it wouldn't work right. So I say put it above where you have staph. I was also delighted to find it helped with acne.

ACV, Tea Tree Oil and Grape Seed Extract
Posted by Diane (Colorado) on 06/19/2016
5 out of 5 stars

I had impetigo in two places, one spot on my face and a big area on my legs from eczema. To cure the one on on my face, I put tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar on maybe twice a day for one day I think. A couple hours later I would apply heat. I also took grape seed extract (120mg) once a day for one week and the impetigo on my face cleared up.

I would note that none of these methods worked with my legs. I had to resort to antibiotics for the legs.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lynn (Ma) on 01/23/2016
4 out of 5 stars

Hey guys,

I believe I contracted impetigo from a college roommate. She thought her sore was a cold sore and I didn't think anything of it as I get them too. That being said it has been a struggle.(13 years later) This year has been the WORST! It seems to be a constant lingering. I have the topical cream from the doctor and that has held it at bay for a while but not this year. I don't know the triggers. This year I have gone in the direction of allergies as the doctor said this virus its in your nasal passage. I thought ok ya my allergies are so bad in the spring that I almost have to get a week off as I dope myself up. Allergy eye drops, Zertec, and nasal spray. Check. But my allergies seem to be all year and animals are an issue. SOO. here I am through fall and winter..I fostered a dog. Full fledged walking dead face. Dog was relocated and I got on antibiotics. Confession. I drank on them but I read the whole pamphlet and it didn't say anything about not drinking. Kicking myself now cause I am on the verge of another walking dead situation..but on my groin!! Long story, let's get to what has been helpful!!

1) GOLDENSEAL root drops. I read about GSR and found goldenseal. I have been mixing a saline solution with a few drops of goldenseal and doing like a "nasal flush" 2x a day. This cleared up my stuffy noes instantly. But bacteria is still attacking skin and so I put drops on red marks that I continued to get around mouth. They were gone!! .. but came back eventually. I was also drinking a hot cup of water with goldenseal and this has really helped my skin as it has been super red and dry. Cleared me right up. I stopped drinking it and soon enough red dots around my mouth. **I continue to douch nose as needed and started to drink Goldenseal again. I also put GSR on red marks that pop up** I also bought the pills to take oral but it look like there is a difference in the goldenseal "root" and "herb". the pills come in both and I read articles after, that said you want the root and the one says "herb" only has the leaf and flower and not the root. You want the root other part of plant are not effective. I will go back and get the other one as the drops seemed to be effective. Keep in mind and do research as you are only suppose to take this for a period of time, but acts as antibiotic.

Apple Cider vinegar - I don't know what worked here but I applied this to my mouth and noes a few times and this has been effective for 5 days. Dried it right up. NO new issues on face. Tried on new red spots on body and I have not seen any instant magic. I am going back and forth with antibiotic cream/ ACV/ and GSR*above. It is holding off the itching.

Grape Seed extract pills- Tried this but didn't notice a big effect. I will continue to use the bottle. Thinking the liquid might be more effective.

I liked the guy's article below about the "antiviral". I have a new rash around my groin and am thinking of calling the doctor on Monday. I don't want to go back on antibiotics ..I have a low immune system and know that this will destroy the good flora in my gut which is your bodies immune system essentially. I have a candida issue and have done cleanses in the past. This is my new approach. I thought I had been doing a good thing by drinking a lot of Kombucha and making it. I thought this would boost my gut flora but there has been a contradiction on "fermented foods and candida". but its suppose to be probiotic??? not sure if its due to yeast content ...sugar that turns into yeast? It is a mushroom that eats the sugar to ferment. But the actual sugar content at the end of fermentation is low... I will read up on this. Does it promote good bacteria or does the yeast in the fermentation destroy the health benefits? One article states that its fine because of good bacteria and low sugar. It said I would flare up as part of the healing process.. I have flared up! Waiting for healing process. I will end there. Conclusion. I need to figure this out. Goldenseal is helpful and I will continue to use it. I will also get probiotics and work on my good flora in digestive track. Depending on how my groin looks I think I will go to Doctor on Monday and maybe get antibiotics. Then really focus on good flora and do a Candida cleans...Sorry for the ramble.

All the best to those who struggle with this. It is a nightmare and I would not wish this on anyone.

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Janie K (S Dak) on 03/17/2017 3 posts

I just used Betadine ointment, a thin layer, and it starts to dry down. Put on several times a day.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Rachel (Singapore) on 07/16/2017

hi Jessa, it's been years since you commented but was just wondering if you've managed to find relief for your lifelong eczema and allergies. I'm also having lifelong eczema. One thing I noticed is that you're taking daily GSE tinctures. You might want to look into that because eczema is related to gut dysbiosis and constantly imbibing antimicrobial supplements, especially one as potent as GSE, may not be supporting your gut to grow beneficial microbes. It might actually be hindering. Commercially available GSE has also been found in some cases to be tainted with antibiotics, but you mentioned tincture so I'm assuming it's homemade. Anyway hope this helps, and take care! :)


Dietary Changes
Posted by Robyn (Tx) on 11/04/2017

Wondering if you have tried an ozone machine? It's worked for me if I use it regularly.


Heat
Posted by Jessicai (Springfield, Mo) on 11/29/2012
5 out of 5 stars

I got caught up in a vicious 9 week battle with impetigo and am just now getting over it. It has finally started to recede after 2 rounds of antibiotics (bactrim and bactroban included), as well as several different bacteria fighting herbs, probiotics and topicals. Everything helped but nothing worked until I started taking grapefruit seed extract internally and topically. For months I have been undergoing laser hair removal treatments. The last round, the technician suggested the heat may kill the bacteria. I was skeptical but she had to hit some of the infected areas anyway and BOOM, within a couple days the infected areas she hit started to finally heal. The one tiny area under my lip that she didn't hit lingered on for an additional 6 weeks until I went back again. I asked her to hit it too. She did, and also mentioned that a lot of younger doctors are starting to recommend lasers like the ones they use for laser hair removal because the heat knocks out the bacterial infections in the skin, several skin layers deep. Anyway, it's been two days and the stubborn bit of it is barely visable. I know GFS extract has been helping a lot too and I will continue to take it for 10 full days just like I would an antibiotic.

Black Walnut
Posted by Papaya (Warsaw) on 12/17/2014
4 out of 5 stars

Hi, thank you very much for this advice. I applied it only once undiluted and observed astonishing results. Scabs which formed ceaselessly for two months and were wet, started to dry up and fall off and these weeping sores/ ulcers begin to heal. I continue to use this tincture but I wonder whether or not it should be diluted and in which proportions if applied directly on these open raw red sores.


Over the Counter
Posted by Marlene (Morgan Hill, Ca) on 08/06/2012
5 out of 5 stars

I just bought Campho-Phenique Drying Gel for my imetigo, as suggested by another blogger. What a relief! Initially it burned a little but w/i minutes I had relief from the pain and itch and it does appear to be drying the lesions already. The mupirocin was buring and causing incessant itching! I've only had impetigo one other time, 4 yrs. Ago, and I suffered for almost 3 mos. I am also cleaning my lesion and the rest of my face with a chlorohexadine wash. Will keep you posted.


Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Diana (Standish, Michigan) on 12/15/2011
5 out of 5 stars

I have to deal with occasional outbreaks of impetigo. I haven't figured out what triggers the outbreaks. I use tea tree oil & jojoba oil mixed half & half to keep it under control and from spreading. I never cover the sore up. I use a clean tissue if it drains. I wash my hands frequently and put the oil mixture on it every time I think of it. I have used the tea tree oil enough that I can use it full strength and sometimes this keeps it from flaring up, if I catch it in time.


Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Melle (London, Uk) on 05/14/2012
5 out of 5 stars

Wow thanks for the advice!!!!! I caught this from a "friend" who I kisssed over the weekend just realised this morning the cut he had was actually impetigo as I woke up to the same on my chin, I rushed out this afternoon to the health food store treating it with a good soaking of water then tea tree followed by Grapefruit seed oil and re applied ever few hrs it's no longer weeping an has almost totally dried up!

thanks you thank you thank you!!! X


Lard, Sulfur
Posted by Jamie (Nc) on 09/29/2015
5 out of 5 stars

My grandmother also used this but she mixed it with Vaseline or Coconut oil and it always worked. I get the sulfer from a Mexican store in powder form. Have used it on myself, my children and grandchildren when dog days come around here in the south and impetigo shows up..


Lard, Sulfur
Posted by Mimi (Ok) on 08/03/2023
5 out of 5 stars

My doctor said impetigo shows up more in August because of the heat (dog days! ). We used salt water on the wound and it dried up.


Lard, Sulfur
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn) on 09/30/2015

HI U JAMIE, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , yep, using the term, DOG DAYS, dates you and I promise you, the millennials have no clue of what you speak. I have not heard that term in a long time so I looked it up and it has a bit more history than I first thought. Stuff grows in heat and high humidity and that's the reason you can hang meat in hospitals these days.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150710-dog-days-summer-sirius-star-astronomy-weather-language/

==========ORH==========


Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Adela (Sherman Oaks, Ca, USA) on 10/08/2009
5 out of 5 stars

Impetigo developed on my face and I have tried so many medicines/cremes prescribed by doctors even the newest one known as the altabax but nothing worked for months. Lastly I tried grapefruit seed extract by applying it on my impetigo 4 times a week. For me it started to itch really bad exactly where the impetigo was. It started becoming red and when it became too itchy I took it off. During the other days, I washed the impetigo with hydrogen peroxide. I held the cotton soaked with the hydrogen peroxide on my impetigo until the pimples become white. It will burn if you hold it enough and the pimple will become white but if you do this 2 times a day, eventually it will go away. It took me two weeks to remove the impetigo and I'm so happy I cured myself because it looked terrible. After that your skin can be kind of red but eventually it will heal and it will become a new healthy skin.


Black Salve, Essential Oils
Posted by Cindy (Phoenix, Az) on 08/19/2020

Charity—I'm going to re-read, but When I read ox-bile, I had to ask! ... have you done Gerson Therapy? They are the only people I know who know that word! 😂 Or for full impact, “dedicated ox-bile” 😁


Black Salve, Essential Oils
Posted by Cindy (Phoenix) on 08/19/2020

Charity—

yes Liver is likely at least part of issue. I did Gerson in 2012. So many amazing things happened during the year I was on it. After one year, went off bc (prior to starting) I had something going on that felt like I was being tortured 24/7. It came on in one day, and I couldn't even sleep one night without using opiates and benzos to mute the CNS. I knew you had to stop everything toxic, and I hoped I'd be able to do so with time, but it never worked, so due to expenses and the fact that it wasn't going to be able to help get me off the super-toxic meds.... we stopped. I've maintained as much of the Gerson lifestyle as possible.

I've juiced when we've had help, and it made no noticeable difference. I still do coffee enemas daily (just 1), to help keep liver in best health possible considering circumstances. I did a 4 month cleanse that took me 16 months to rid body of parasites and all things fungal. I knew I had severe fungal Candida. I didn't know that parasites always came with. (1000+ types of parasites—and 100s of fungals. Waste of time and money to be tested for parasites or fungals. Better to just do this cleanse because I can't think of any group of people who wouldn't benefit, even in prevention of many of the chronic illnesses available in America and other countries today. All the chronic illnesses come with something fungal at the root. anything” becomes “fungal” if it goes systemic. And any kind of med seem to somehow work synergistically with parasites and other fungals to breed new and formerly unknown to you varieties of anything that can go fungal/systemic.

Now that you know my diet is organic, lots of veggies, nothing processed and still no meat and very little dairy, plus coffee enemas—I wanted to see if you would have different or modified thoughts.

Also, I will take GSE orally, and am also considering massaging it into parts of scalp that are accessible. (Bowels move very well thanks to MAG-07 and 3000 mg daily of black-seed oil. If I took only one supplement, it would be the black seed oil. In capsules! I can tolerate almost anything. But not black seed or castor unless in capsules or on skin.) I was thinking of massaging black seed oil and a little tea tree oil into my scalp.

The hair matting came back twice as bad. No way to get comb or brush through it at all. Any thoughts? The hair matting Is extremely rare. Shaving head is suggested, I'm not wanting to do that. Last step of parasite/fungal cleanse is heavy metal cleanse. I called yesterday and he encouraged me to go ahead and start the heavy metal cleanse. He had one woman who didn't see the major WOW transformation until she did that last step. He reminded me hair is what we test for heavy metals, so I could have a ton of metals in my hair. Thanks for your thoughts!! Cindy


Black Salve, Essential Oils
Posted by Cindy (Phoenix, Az) on 08/24/2020

Charity—I'm going to re-read, but When I read ox-bile, I had to ask! ... have you done Gerson Therapy? They are the only people I know who know that word! 😂 Or for full impact, “dedicated ox-bile” 😁


Black Salve, Essential Oils
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 08/25/2020

My reply did not show up in recent post : it's in the original impetigo section where you wrote your question. Ox bile works wonders for me until I can move out of stress mode and do the pressure points Eric Berg teaches on releasing trapped stress in the body . I have done that before my friend bought the tool and book and I did it for a season. Right now I am learning how to garden and sprout seeds . Getting some muscles tearing up sod . Outsmarting deer that can jump 12 feet high into your garden is also a fun adventure. Lots of pokey points out there right now. Just see if they want to risk near death for a bite. Love the critters, but not growing stuff just for them to snack on. Blessings, Charity.


Hydrogel
Posted by Mary (Ireland) on 02/23/2019
5 out of 5 stars

Hi all, My little girl had very bad impetigo all over her face age 2. I was given 2 types of liquid antibiotic which she refused to take. One evening I decided to try Burnshield hydrogel [otc for burns] on it because of the itch. I put it on at night and the next morning there was only one spot left. I treated this with the gel for another couple of days and that was it. Almost instant cure. The gel contains tea tree oil and I keep it in the fridge.


Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Lena (Hawaii) on 10/26/2017

hi, I am@wondering which brand GSE you used. I have been informed that since they've removed the synthetic preservatives GSE actually has no real antiseptic properties. I am desperately seeking a cure for my 1yo


Povidone-Iodine Ointment
Posted by Janie K (S Dak) on 03/17/2017 3 posts

After the first couple days, just put a thin layer of Betadine ointment on after washing and let wound dry out each time. Amazing.


Colloidal Silver
Posted by Lena (Hawaii) on 10/27/2017

How would you reccommend the use of CS on a 2year old. she is currently usung abx cream, keeps popping up anyway


Heat
Posted by Jb (San Diego, California) on 12/12/2016
1 out of 5 stars

Heat did absolutely nothing for the impetigo on my upper lip.


Manuka Honey
Posted by Alyson (North Carolina) on 02/26/2023

Hi! Thank you for this information. I was just wondering how often you applied the honey and turmeric.?


Manuka Honey
Posted by Diane (Co) on 06/19/2016
3 out of 5 stars

I had impetigo on my legs as a result of eczema. At first, I tried Manuka honey 10+ and that did not work. Seemed to spread it if anything. I then bought the 20+ and sad to say that it did not abolish the impetigo. I did it for one week, applied it day and night. It seemed to slow down the pussing but did not seem to make the impetigo go away.

Manuka Honey
Posted by Lina (San Gabriel, Ca) on 12/13/2017

On the sores (impetigo)after you blot it dry do u use the colloidal silver dietary supplement

Or the sovereign silver first aid gel? Thank you


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Leanne (Australia) on 01/24/2016

Try using phisohex from the chemist. Use it to wash with in the shower. That is what worked for me.


Dietary Changes
Posted by Misfit (West Coast America) on 11/10/2014
4 out of 5 stars

I'm going on 20 years with impetigo. And though it hasn't ruined my life, its definitely sucked all the joy out of it and robbed me of many good years. Mine is so bad that merely looking at cell phones causes me to break out in my eyelids or around the bridge of my nose. I've been to 100 doctors, both Mayo Clinics and Johns Hopkins. Everyone just gives up on me. With me, I've had to cut out cell phone use completely and can only use an IPhone with Siri. You need to buy yourself a yearly dayplanner and keep notes on what you do and what you eat. I've discovered a few triggers over the years. I've had to cut out fruit completely. Here I was drinking orange juice and stuff to boost my immune system, but all it did was make orange ooze come pouring out of my skin. I found chocolate and yogurt and licorice were triggers. Also, heat is a trigger. I can take a hot shower, but any type of radiant heat like from a furnace or oven will cause a breakout. My life is almost liveable because I can dodge some triggers, but I have at least 2-4 outbreaks per month. I'm convinced this will be the rest of my life and when it comes to die, I'll give a sigh of relief. Nonetheless, I push on. What else can you do? Doctors laugh at me when I tell them I'm allergic to looking at cell phones.

Dietary Changes
Posted by Timh (KY) on 11/11/2014 2073 posts

You would surely improve by doing any number of "Detoxification" and "Cleansing" remedies found here on E.C. This process of total body detox/cleanse will take up to 1 yr. Following these remedies, you will be feeling much better but need to also boost your antioxidant status thru supplementation.


Dietary Changes
Posted by Cgio (New York) on 07/19/2016

Regarding the cell phone? I would say maybe it's the bacteria on the cell phone? We put our cell phones down in all sorts of places.... I try to disinfect mine frequently, but still.... it picks up bacteria and germs.


Antiviral Medication
Posted by Dookie (United States) on 08/12/2015

I have had the same problem as you. Going on 20 years. Life is in ruins. I've managed to keep my lips area in check. Search Amazon for Lysine lip ointment. I don't know if they have GNC where you live, but I just buy mine there. Use it in the AM and PM and as needed. Keeps my lips in check while the rest of my face looks like an apocalypse. :(


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Sls (Wayne, Pa) on 02/03/2014

I am 15 year old female and have been suffering from impetigo for about 6 years and since last year I have just been thinking it was acne. So I went to many doctors that could not figure out what it was so finally one doctor I went to came to the conclusion of impetigo and they gave me mupirocin. This helped it only a small amount but it makes my face look incredibly greasy (the impetigo is all around and in my nose) and makes it unbearably itchy. So usually it just runs its course then goes away for a month or so then comes back. Now that I'm in high school I can't have this all around my nose! I cover it up with makeup everyday it's so embarrassing even though it takes a lot to get it just barley covered I keep doing it so it's not as red looking. I don't know why it keeps coming back. It is usually worst after I kiss my boyfriend but he does not have it on his face or body, but every time after we kiss it becomes horrible and recently nothing is working to make it better. I just found this website and it has good suggestions but everything I try doesn't work. How long is it supposed to take for the GSE to start woking I have been putting it on for about 3 days now and have not noticed any change at all. Should I be putting it into my drinks? I have also tried coconut oil which takes away the itch but thats it and tea tree oil and it just burns like crazy, I have also tried hydrogen peroxide and that also does nothing. I really need help I don't know what to do and my mom refuses to take me to the doctor because we already know what it is but this time it's not going away I've had this outbreak for about 2 weeks now and nothing is working. Please help, I'm completely lost on what to do.

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Dookie (Kutna Hora, Cz) on 07/17/2015

That is a very good post. Everything I've seen of collodial silver is a spray or tincture. What is best form of it to apply inside the nostrils? You mentioned olive leaf oil. I already take that in a pill, but is there some type of topical form also?


Ivory Soap
Posted by Tonya (Statesville, North Carolina) on 03/31/2013
5 out of 5 stars

I'm 42 year old female. In the last 3.5years I've had impetigo every 3-5 months... I went through mupirocin, keflex treatments, but it always comes back. Sometimes, in early stage I can wash it off with antibacterial soap, and that spot will go away. It seemed like a never ending war... Until I got rid off all body washes, bath foams, ets. Now I use ivory bar soap for all my body and life is beautiful. Regret very much that had not try it before. A very simple solution for such drastic skin problem.


Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Charlotte (Toronto, Canada) on 02/13/2013
4 out of 5 stars

Hi Guys, I am a 25 year old female. I recently came back from a backpacking trip in South East Asia where I believe I somehow contracted Impetigo on my face. At first it was dry, even if I'd lotion repeatedly. Then, it became raised and then eventually started weeping yellow crusts.

Over the next few weeks, in and out of different doctors offices, I tried an anti-biotic course, some cream, and finally Fucidin. Fucidin seemed to work. I also want to note that during the time it flared up, I would avoid make-up. Well, a week or so after it would disappear, it would return again. Slowly. With redness, then warmth, then itch and finally small, barely noticeable 'weeps'. I would go back to using Fucidin but as a female, its difficult, because its extremely shiney, oil-y and embarassing. I also have adult acne, so oil was not helping. I would treat the impetigo, and develop more acne.

After weeks and weeks of this back and forth reccurence, I found this forum which led me to a CURE - Grapefruit Seed Extract. I bought the pills and started taking 2 pills 3 times a day. As soon as I ran out, I wanted to see if it would come back, and it HAS. That is how I know Grapefruit Seed Extract was really working. I have not tried topical, but I will this week. My only question is what makes it flare up? Do you think eating foods with yeast, drinking alcohol, using make-up, make it worse?


Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Clare (West Palm Beach, Florida ) on 07/19/2018

My impetigo is dried up, but how do you get rid of the dark scar, big dark red mark on my leg. What should I use to get my color back. Thanks


Heat
Posted by Krystal (Houston Tx) on 02/11/2014

What is GFS extract ? I've started the heat treatment today and I'm a little confused on the GFS. Please help me.

EC: GFS = Grapefruit Seed Extract


Echinacea
Posted by Annie (London, Uk) on 10/04/2012
5 out of 5 stars

Hi, I would like to tell you that I find that echinacea taken in tablet form, as soon as I feel it starting(often with a chronically itching inside of the nose, similar to the feeling of coming down with a cold), or under the skin swelling, has worked wonders in stopping it in its tracks. Its stopped it actually appearing anywhere. I take up a large dose(6-8 tablets) straightaway. Keep taking it, paying attention to diet, early nights and rest. Echinacea tincture/vodka sterilises the site of it. Make sure you wipe vodka inwards. It works just as well as fucidin. Although, that helps to soften the lesions. I strip off old dead skin, with tweezers, applying more vodka/echinacea tincture. It stings but its works. Lots of sterilising needed throughout the day of skin, hands tweezers etc.



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