What is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a common infection under the skin caused by the penetration of bacteria into dermis, the middle layer of the skin and soft tissues below it. Sometimes, the infection and inflammation can affect muscles [1].
Causes of Cellulitis
The common bacteria causing cellulitis are called streptococcus and staphylococcus bacteria. These organisms can already cling to the surface of your skin. As soon as a break in the skin appears, the bacteria will immediately penetrate and cause the infection [2].
There are some common factors that increase the risk of getting cellulitis.
- Cracks skin between your toes
- Skin wounds and diseases
- Bone infection
- Certain diseases like vascular disease or diabetes
- Certain medications, especially corticosteroid medications [3]
Symptoms of Cellulitis
You know you get the disease when noticing these following symptoms:
- Redness or inflammation on the skin
- Pain or tenderness of the skin
- Rashes, soreness
- Fever and fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Joint stiffness
Here are top 10 effective home remedies for cellulitis that you make use of when encountering the skin disease…
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has been found with powerful antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a trusted ingredient used in home remedies for cellulitis [4].
Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with half of a tablespoon of coconut oil. Use a cotton cloth to apply the mixture on the infected areas. Cover it and wait for a couple of hours. Finally wash off with warm water.
Alternatively, mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel along with a teaspoon of honey. Apply the mixture on the affected areas and leave it for some hours. Finally, rinse off your skin with clean water.
Learn more about other benefits of tea tree oil at Home Remedies for Athlete’s Foot.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric contains excellent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help you fight back the symptoms of cellulitis. Accordingly, you should not skip this ingredient on the list of cellulitis natural treatments [5].
Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder into a cup of milk then boil it. Add a little honey to improve the flavor. After the drink cools down, consume it well. Do this on a daily basis until you see improvement of cellulitis.
3. Calendula
Calendula is reckoned as one of excellent ingredients that contain powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Furthermore, the herb also helps speed up healing and improve the skin [6][7].
Add 1 tablespoon of calendula flowers into a cup of hot water. Leave it there to steep and strain the liquid after 10 minutes. Use a cotton cloth to apply the solution to the affected area. After 15 minutes, wash off with clean water.
4. Activated Charcoal
If you are wondering how to get rid of cellulitis, try activated charcoal. Since it can successfully eliminate bacteria, toxin and other harmful substance in your body, the skin disease will quickly disappear without recurrence.
Mix 1 teaspoon of activated charcoal with a little water to make a paste. Apply the paste to your skin and cover it with a cotton towel. Do this before you go to bed and remove the towel in the next morning. Wash off the area with clean water.
5. Oregano Oil
Another ingredient you can use to make home remedies for cellulitis. This is due to the phenolic components in the oils that contain powerful antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral qualities [8].
Mix a teaspoon of oregano oil with some carrier oils such as jojoba oil, coconut oil in the same amount. Next step, apply the mixture on the affected areas and cover it for a couple of hours. Finally, wash off with water.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an ingredient that can effectively combat bacterial infection on the skin. Besides, it is excellent in soothing and moisturizing the skin, giving you a quick relief from pain and irritation. By applying coconut oil to make home remedies for cellulitis, you are accelerating the healing process and prevent the recurrence of the condition [9].
Directly apply a proper amount of coconut oil on the affected areas. Leave it for a couple of hours then wash off with clean water.
7. Garlic
When it comes to inflammation or infection, you should try garlic, a spice with strong antibacterial and antibiotic qualities. In case of cellulitis natural treatments, garlic helps to reduce the infection, eliminate bacteria and accelerate healing [10].
For topical appliance, you can crush some garlic cloves to get the juice then mix it with coconut oil. Apply the mixture on the skin and leave for some hours.
At the same time, do not forget to consume some raw garlic cloves to enhance your immune system and fight back the infection from inside. If you can bear the taste of raw garlic, add it into your daily meal.
For more information about other garlic benefits, please take a look at Home Remedies for Abscessed Tooth.
8. Fenugreek
Besides the use in culinary, you can also make use of fenugreek to make various treatments of health and beauty, including cellulitis. The seeds have been confirmed with the ability to deal with inflammation as well as infection of the skin.
Take 2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds and add into a cup of hot water. After a few hours, take them out and grind into a fine paste. Apply the paste on the infected skin. Finally, you can remove the paste and rinse off the area.
Learn more about other benefits of fenugreek at Home Remedies for Bacterial Vaginosis.
9. Echinacea
Echinacea is useful in the treatments of cellulitis since it provides excellent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial properties that can promptly treat this skin problem [11][12].
Nowadays, there are lots of skincare products that contain Echinacea as their main ingredient. You can choose Echinacea gel or cream to directly apply onto the affected area. The ingredient can quickly and easily be absorbed into your skin.
10. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential substance in our body, which can help assist skin growth and enhance our immunity. Accordingly, this nutrient should be on our list of home remedies for cellulitis [13].
Expose yourself to the sunlight in the early morning when the sunlight is not too strong and causes harm to your skin. The best time for this is between 5 am – 9 am. Simultaneously, consume more food that rich in vitamin D such as fatty fish, beef liver, egg yolks, etc.
Another option for you is taking vitamin D supplements after consulting a doctor.