Impetigo is a very contagious bacterial skin infection that normally affects children, but adults can also catch it. Natural cures for impetigo include include grapefruit seed extract, colloidal silver, heat, turmeric and dietary changes.
Although impetigo usually heals naturally over two to three weeks, natural remedies can work fast to heal impetigo with fewer symptoms. Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) is the most popular impetigo remedy for Earth Clinic readers.
Grapefruit Seed Extract is a very powerful antioxidant and non-toxic disinfectant. Among its many benefits, it is effective when used for topical skin infections, such as impetigo.
An Earth Clinic contributor, Jj from Bournemouth, UK sent us a detailed post about the treatment which begins, "Hello, I'm so happy and relieved to say that Grapefruit Seed Extract worked brilliantly to heal my impetigo!" Read the entire post to learn how he cured the impetigo with Grapefruit Seed Extract and Aloe Vera Juice, which cools the skin and helps with the itching.
It may sound somewhat strange, but some Earth Clinic contributors discovered that heat can cure impetigo. They used either hot water or a blow dryer to heat the affected area until it was too hot to be comfortable. The theory is that if the body raises body temperature (fever) to kill bacteria, then external heat might accomplish the same purpose. Read the posts and decide for yourself.
Colloidal silver is a "must-have" for many Earth Clinic readers. A contributor named Markell had really good results with a silver solution gel. "I used a silver solution gel (ASAP) on my spreading Impetigo. It worked immediately and effectively. I applied it nearly every hour or whenever I thought of it. Essential oils did nothing for the rash. It only took two days for it to dry up."
Impetigo is a highly contagious skin disorder that typically affects infants and children, but adults also suffer from it. The first symptoms are normally red sores, usually around the nose and mouth. As the sores progress, the lesions typically burst and form a honey-colored crust. The lesions can also spread to other parts of the body including the fingers, buttocks and arms. More serious forms of impetigo include bullous impetigo and ecthyma. Bullous impetigo typically features larger blisters that occur on the trunk and diaper area of infants and children while ecthyma actually penetrates the skin, causing deep, painful fluid- or pus-filled sores that may develop into deep ulcers.
Impetigo is caused by bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureaus. The bacteria can pass directly from one person to another or be transmitted via a towel or other item handled by that person. Towels or bed linens, etc. should only be used by the infected person and washed frequently.
Continue reading below for many more impetigo remedies from our wonderful Earth Clinic readers and let us know about your own favorite home remedy!
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