Cellulitis is one of the most common bacterial skin infections that affects more than 14 million people in the US alone each year. This bacterial infection can occur anywhere on the body and, if left untreated, can cause serious complications.
But how do we get these bacteria? There are some bacteria present on our skin naturally, and they do not cause any harm. Until and unless they enter our skin. Once they are under our skin, they can cause infection. Any cuts or bites you suffer are the most common pathways for bacteria to enter your skin.
However, you need to keep in mind that cellulite and cellulitis are two different conditions. Cellulite is a harmless condition where an “orange peel” effect can appear on the upper arms and thighs.
In cellulitis, your skin will be unusually red, tender, or swollen. It is one medical condition that you should not take lightly and wait for it to disappear. The reason?
If you leave cellulitis untreated for too long, then you can face serious complications such as bone and blood infections, or it can even result in gangrene. So, if you test positive for cellulitis, then you need not panic. All you need to do is treat the affected skin immediately by using these home remedies for cellulitis.
However, first, let’s see what cellulitis is.
What is Cellulitis?
It is a common infection of the skin and underneath soft tissues of our skin. It will happen when bacteria can break the shield and enter our skin, and spread. This will result in infection, which can cause swelling, unusual swelling, pain, or warmth.
This skin infection is very painful, and it will appear as a discolored, swollen area that will feel hot and tender to the touch in the initial stage. Over time, the swelling can spread pretty quickly than you anticipated.
Cellulitis will appear red or pink on light skin, while on darker skin, it will look like dark brown, gray, or purple.
You are prone to this skin infection if you have:
- Trauma to the skin
- Diabetes
- Circulatory problems, varicose veins
- Liver diseases like chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis
- Eczema, psoriasis
- Infectious diseases like chickenpox, which can cause sore
If you don’t treat cellulitis, it can prove to be fatal. So, it is advisable to get medical attention right away if you have symptoms.
Let’s see some of the home remedies that can help you treat cellulitis effectively.
Natural Remedies for Cellulitis that can Help You!
If you have symptoms of cellulitis, then you should see your doctor first as it can be a life-threatening condition. However, till you get your doctor’s appointment, you can try these home remedies for cellulitis that can help you deal with pain and other symptoms of the disease.
What follows are some of these remedies you can try at home:
Turmeric
Turmeric is enriched with a component called curcumin, which can have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects on our bodies. It is not only touted as one of the best home remedies for cellulitis but also for many other diseases and conditions.
Its properties can prove to be one of the best infection-fighting agents that can help you treat and deal with the condition effortlessly. You can also combine honey with it to make a paste. Adding honey will boost its infection-fighting properties and help you with cellulitis.
What you will need:
- One teaspoon of turmeric powder
- One tablespoon of honey
- 2-3 drops of tea tree oil
To do:
- First, take a medium-sized bowl and make a paste by combining turmeric, honey, and tea tree oil.
- Apply this paste to the affected areas.
- Let it sit there for around 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, take lukewarm water and wash it off.
- Do this twice a day for a week to see excellent results.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is enriched with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties due to the medium-chain fatty acids. This can help you keep your skin moist and reduce the chances of various skin diseases and conditions.
Coconut oil may not help you get rid of cellulitis, but it will help you deal with the pain related to this condition and make sure that cellulitis doesn’t reoccur.
It is packed with fatty acids and vitamins that can act as an excellent tonic for our skin.
What You Will Need
- Two tablespoons of virgin coconut oil
To Do
- Take two tablespoons of virgin coconut oil and gently massage it on the affected area.
- Let it sit on the skin as it will allow your skin to absorb it completely.
- Do this twice a day for better results.
Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seeds are considered one of the best natural remedies for cellulitis as they can calm the condition’s symptoms. Additionally, they are full of anti-inflammatories, flavonoids, antimicrobial, and analgesics compounds.
All these compounds will help calm the swelling and pain while killing the staph bacteria that cause cellulitis.
What You Will Need
- A small bowl of fenugreek seeds
- A medium bowl of water
To Do
- Soak fenugreek seeds in a bowl of water for eight hours, preferably overnight.
- The following day, grind them to make a thick paste.
- Then, apply this prepared paste to the affected areas and let it sit for a couple of hours.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Do this twice a day for better results.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most valuable and beneficial medicinal ingredients that you can easily find in your kitchen. It has various exceptional medical properties that can help you to deal with illnesses like cellulitis.
Garlic is the best source of allicin – a compound that is known for its exceptional antimicrobial properties. These antimicrobial properties can help you prevent the spread of the infection. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also help you reduce the swelling and pain often associated with cellulitis.
No wonder why garlic is considered one of the best natural remedies for cellulitis.
What You Will Need
- Cloves of garlic
To Do
- To form a garlic paste, mince the garlic cloves.
- Now, apply the paste directly to the affected area.
- Let it sit for a few hours, and then wash it off.
- Apply this paste twice a day for rapid results.
- You can also chew garlic cloves daily to fight the infection from within.
Also Read: Amazing Ways In Which The Use Of Garlic Benefits Your Health
Dandelion
The chances of hearing this name for the very first time are very high. However, dandelion is enriched with a potent anti-inflammatory property that can help you reduce inflammation related to cellulitis.
The antimicrobial and antiviral properties of dandelion can help you boost your immune system, leading to the prevention of the growth of microbes.
This flowering plant is globally used for its medicinal benefits, and its roots are also full of antimicrobial properties. Hence, dandelion tea is known as one of the most effective home remedies for cellulitis.
What You Will Need
- Three teaspoons of dandelion herb
- 1.5 cup of water
- Honey
To Do
- Take a bowl and combine water and dandelion herb.
- Now, simmer this mixture for about 10 minutes.
- Carefully strain the mixture and add some honey.
- Drink this tea while it is hot.
- Consume this tea thrice a day for better results.
Hot or Cold Compress
A hot or cold compress can help you deal with cellulitis as these compresses can drastically reduce swelling and curb the pain that can come with cellulitis. You can use any of these two compresses after you stop using the first.
These compresses can provide you with instant relief from the symptoms of cellulitis. A hot compress will help you reduce the pain, while a cold compress can help you deal with pain and inflammation as well.
What You Will Need
- A hot or cold compress
To Do
- Take a hot compress or an ice pack and directly apply it to the affected site.
- Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- Do this process and repeat it at least twice or thrice per day for better results.
Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is known to be one of the purest and most beneficial versions of love. It has been popularly used for wound-healing and other medicinal purposes due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties across various countries.
Thus, external use of manuka honey is considered one the best home remedies for cellulitis, largely safe, and worth a try.
The main difference between regular honey and manuka honey is that the latter comes from bees that pollinate the flowers of the manuka tree, a native New Zealander tree. The usage of manuka honey will speed up the healing process and eliminate the bacteria responsible for causing cellulitis.
What You Will Need:
- Manuka honey
To Do:
- Buy manuka honey from the market and apply it directly to the affected area.
- Let it sit for a couple of hours.
- Then, wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process twice or thrice every day for rapid results.
Final Words
Cellulitis is a potentially severe infection in the deeper layers of the skin and the tissue beneath. It can cause extreme discomfort, and can be life-threatening. If a person seeks treatment as soon as symptoms appear, there is a good chance that the treatment will be effective. Until then, you can try these natural remedies to deal with the condition to ease pain and inflammation.
