15 Home Remedies for Impetigo with Clockwork Effects

Nothing is more embarrassing and makes you feel more conscious than having cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth or other parts of your face. Impetigo is even more devastating and more serious because it is a highly contagious skin condition which affects the face, neck, arms and legs. The condition is caused by bacteria and is treatable with any of our home remedies for impetigo.

These remedies are effective at eliminating impetigo, but they are not all inclusive cures. More serious cases might need the advice and treatment of a health care professional.

15 Home Remedies for Impetigo for Urgent Treating

1. Behavior and Diet Changes

Behavioral and dietary changes, even temporary ones are some of the best home remedies for impetigo. A healthy diet can help to create a hostile environment for the growth of the bacteria involved with impetigo. Additionally, certain behaviors can prevent its spread.

What to do:

Get rid of refined sugars and fried foods while you have this condition.
Reduce red meats until infection clears.
Drink ample amounts of water and 2 to 3 glasses of fresh apple juice daily.
Fresh fruits and vegetables will boost your antioxidant levels to fight the bacteria.
Increasing omega-3 intake with cold water fish or krill oil supplement will help.
Avoid touching, picking or scratching affected areas.
Wash your hands and shower regularly with antibacterial soap.
Clean areas of your home with antibacterial products.
Wash clothing and linens in hot water and dry them in direct sunlight.
Avoid spreading your condition to others.

2. Aloe Vera

The antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties of aloe vera make it a viable solution among the home remedies for impetigo. Its antioxidants boost your immunity in order to help you fight off infection as well.

What to do:

Cut open a fresh aloe vera chute and extract the inner gel.
Apply the extracted gel to the affected area and leave it for at least 30 minutes.
Repeat this process 2 to 3 times daily for a week.

3. Goldenseal

Another of the effective home remedies for impetigo is the herb goldenseal. Antiseptic and antibacterial properties of goldenseal can help disinfect the skin and give you immune system a boost as well.

What to do:

Boil 1 cup of water, remove it from heat and add in 1 tsp of goldenseal powder.
Allow the tea to steep for 10 minutes before straining and allowing it to cool.
Use the tea to clean and disinfect the affected areas twice a day.
You can also take a goldenseal supplement in order to heal from the inside out.

4. Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral in boosting immunity and is therefore to be considered among the home remedies for impetigo. Neutralizing bacterial infections through boosting immunity on a cellular level is how zinc helps treat impetigo. Taking it as a supplement when pregnant and nursing also reduces the risk of impetigo in premature babies.

What to do:

Take a supplement of between 15mg to 25 mg daily.
Dietary sources of zinc which can be introduced into your diet are beans, nuts, shellfish and whole grains.

5. Garlic

Another natural antibiotic which works well among the home remedies for impetigo is garlic. Garlic’s antibiotic properties are effective at fighting infection and killing bacteria. Not to mention that it is pretty inexpensive and easy to get your hands on.

What to do:

Heat 2 Tbsp of sesame oil in a skillet.
Sautee 3 cloves of minced garlic until it starts to turn light brown.
Cool and strain out the oil.
Apply the oil to the affected areas twice a day for several days.
Also add garlic into your diet or take a garlic supplement.

6. Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is among the best home remedies for impetigo. Antiseptic and antibacterial are two of the qualities of manuka honey which help heal this condition. In addition to these functions, manuka honey helps promote the growth of new, health skin cells to force out the unhealthy ones.

What to do:

Spread manuka honey directly onto the affected areas.
Allow the honey to sit for a couple of hours before washing off with warm water.
Repeat this 2 to 3 times a day for several days.
Consuming 1 to 2 tsp of manuka honey daily can also help.

7. Grapefruit Seed Extract

Also among the effective home remedies for impetigo is grapefruit seed extract (GSE). The seed of this tropical fruit has powerful antioxidants and antibacterial compounds which can help kill the bacteria. Additionally, this makes an excellent non-toxic disinfectant to clean the surfaces of your home.

What to do:

Add several drops of GSE to 2 Tbsp of warm water.
Using a cotton ball, dab the solution on the affected areas.
Repeat this treatment 3 times daily until your condition improves.
GSE supplements taken twice a day can also speed recovery.
Additionally, add 12 drops of GSE to a pint of water in a spray bottle for disinfecting.

8. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is also well known for its powerful antimicrobial and disinfecting properties. It can halt the spread of this infection, reduce the inflammation associated with it and kill the bacteria, which makes it one of the best home remedies for impetigo.

What to do:

Place 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil in 1 Tbsp of olive oil.
Apply this oil mixture to the affected area.
Allow it to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
Repeat this twice a day for several days.
You can also put 10 or so drops of tea tree oil in a warm bath tub and soak in it for 30 minutes daily.

9. Heat Therapy

Another of the effective home remedies for impetigo is heat therapy. Because bacteria prefer such a finely regulated environment, heat therapy will help overheat the bacteria causing the infection and cause them to die out. In addition, heat therapy helps dry up the sores and lesions.

What to do:

Soak a washcloth in hot water that is as hot as you can stand it.
Wring out excess water and apply the washcloth to the affected area for several minutes.
You can repeat this several times a day for a few days.

10. White Vinegar

White vinegar is also among the best home remedies for impetigo. Vinegar has antibiotic properties which help kill bacteria. Vinegar also helps stop the spread of the condition by working as a disinfectant.

What to do:

Mix 1 Tbsp of distilled white vinegar in 2 cups of warm water.
Cleanse the affected area using a cotton ball dipped in the solution.
You can repeat this several times a day until the infection is gone.
You can put this or an even more concentrated solution in a spray bottle to you as a household disinfectant as well.

11. Olive or Coconut Oil

Oleuropein and rutin found in both olive and coconut oils can help eliminate bacteria as well. This is among the most effective traditional home remedies for impetigo which has been passed down for centuries. These oils can also be used in place of other, more harmful oils in your cooking in order to help improve your immunity.

What to do:

Using a cotton ball, add 3 to 4 drops of olive or coconut oil directly to the affected area.
You can repeat this remedy several times a day for a few days.
Cook with and use these oils as carrier oils in other remedies.

12. Ginger and Turmeric

Two of the most powerful spices in your cabinet, when it comes to anti-inflammatory properties and excellent home remedies for impetigo are ginger and turmeric. Alone, these spicy cousins can win battles over bacteria, but together they are unstoppable.

What to do:

Add 1 tsp each of powdered turmeric and powdered ginger along with 1/8 tsp of black pepper to a warm glass of milk.
Drink this twice a day.
You can also mix 1 tsp each of these powders in 1 Tbsp of honey and apply the mixture directly to the affected area.
Rinse it off after 30 minutes and repeat a couple times per day.

13. Echinacea

We all know about how Echinacea keeps colds and flu at bay. But it also works as one of the notable home remedies for impetigo. Hundreds of years before antibiotics were discovered and mass-produced Native Americans were using Echinacea to treat infections. It can be used both internally and externally in order to improve your immunity and kill bacteria.

What to do:

Make and drink a cup of Echinacea tea according to the directions with the tea bags 2 to 3 times daily.
You can also soak a clean cloth in the tea and use it as a cleanser for the affected areas of your skin.

14. Myrrh Oil

Essential oils can also be used as home remedies for impetigo. One such essential oil is myrrh oil. It contains both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities which are effective at boosting immunity, treating symptoms and wiping out bacteria.

What to do:

Mix 4 to 5 drops of myrrh oil in 1 Tbsp of honey.
Apply the mixture to the affected areas.
Allow it to sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
You can substitute olive oil or coconut oil in place of honey if you like.
Repeat this process several times a day for a few days.

15. Rosemary and Thyme

A pair of herbs that are deadly for bacteria and finish off our list of home remedies for impetigo is rosemary and thyme. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of these two herbs can bring relief to symptoms as well as speed healing.

What to do:

Add 1 tsp each of rosemary and thyme to 1 ½ cups of boiling water.
Allow them to simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.
Strain the mixture and allow it to cool.
Wash the affected areas with the solution and pat dry.
Repeat this regularly until the infection is gone.

To Sum It Up

There is no point in being embarrassed and self-conscious about the appearance of impetigo. Now that you are armed with 15 home remedies for impetigo, you can go on the offensive and get rid of this highly contagious condition before it gets out of hand and before it spreads to others.

Let us know about your recipes, remedies and success stories in treating impetigo at home in the comments below.

Images: depositphotos.com & pixabay.com.