Essential Oils for Impetigo
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Impetigo, a bacterial skin infection that is highly contagious, is common in children and infants. If your little ones or others in your home are suffering from this skin disorder, finding a safe, effective treatment is essential.
Understanding Impetigo
Impetigo is a bacterial infection that results in blisters and, once they start to “weep” the liquid inside, it forms a brownish crust over the surface of your blisters. Most infections begin on the face, around the nose and mouth, but it usually spreads to the feet, hands, and torso. It is an itchy skin disorder that results in discomfort as well as embarrassment for its sufferers.
The infection is primarily caused by two types of bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. These bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin, such as cuts, insect bites, or areas affected by other skin conditions like eczema. Children are particularly susceptible because of their frequent skin-to-skin contact during play and their developing immune systems.
While impetigo can clear up on its own in some cases, treatment helps speed recovery and prevents the infection from spreading to others. The condition is most contagious during the blister stage and when sores are weeping. This is why it’s crucial to treat impetigo promptly, especially in households with multiple children or in school settings where close contact is inevitable.
Natural Remedies for Impetigo
Treating impetigo at home is simple and easy with the right ingredients. Finding essential oils and carrier oils that are both antibacterial, to wipe out the infection, as well as gentle and effective at restoring skin health, is critical. Here are the best oils to use when you or someone you love has impetigo.
Coconut Oil
As a carrier oil, coconut oil is the very best when it comes to treating impetigo and other skin infections. The lauric acid in this oil makes your skin inhospitable to pathogens, including bacteria. Using coconut oil as a lotion will create a barrier on your skin that fends off fungi, viruses, and bacteria, helping it to heal naturally more quickly.
Coconut oil is a natural anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce itching as well as calm redness. In addition to putting coconut oil on your skin, whether by itself or combined with essential oils, you should also find more ways to include this oil in your diet when you have an impetigo infection.
Grapefruit Seed Essential Oil
The extract of grapefruit seed has been found to be effective at fighting one of the bacteria that cause impetigo. This essential oil has a pleasant aroma, which makes it pleasing to use on your skin, too. Combine several drops of grapefruit seed oil with two drops of geranium oil mixed with coconut oil to create an effective impetigo lotion that is safe to use on your face as well as other body parts.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Another effective essential oil to use while treating impetigo is tea tree oil. This oil has been used to kill microbes and treat skin disorders for centuries. It has been proven effective for treating other skin infections, including ringworm and psoriasis, as well. Tea tree oil can be irritating to the skin if not diluted properly, so be sure to use a small amount mixed with a generous portion of carrier oil, such as coconut oil.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) is another natural remedy that can be used to treat impetigo. This essential oil destroys Streptococcus pyogenes, one of the many bacteria that can cause impetigo. Be cautious using eucalyptus near the mouth, though, especially on young children, as it can be toxic if swallowed. As with tea tree oil, be sure to dilute this remedy with a carrier oil.
Neem Oil
Neem is a trusted oil from India that is often used to treat skin disorders and rashes. It has healing properties that restore the skin while it also helps fight bacteria, like those that cause impetigo. This oil has been shown to be as effective as the others listed here at fighting the infectious agents that cause impetigo. There is no need to mix neem with any other oil when applying it to your skin.
Prevention and Care Tips
Beyond treatment, preventing the spread of impetigo is equally important. Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching affected areas, and keep fingernails trimmed short to minimize scratching. Avoid sharing towels, clothing, or bedding with infected individuals, and wash these items in hot water daily during treatment.
Keep the affected areas clean and covered with loose bandages when possible. This not only protects the sores but also prevents the infection from spreading to other parts of the body or to other people. Discourage children from picking at scabs or blisters, as this can worsen the infection and lead to scarring.
Final Thoughts
Treating impetigo and other skin rashes and infections is easy and simple when you know the right oils to use. Carrier oils like neem and coconut are excellent for your skin. The medicinal properties of oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, and grapeseed extract can ensure your skin heals quickly and your infection is cleared.
