Some home remedies for erysipelas, such as juniper compress, aloe gel or elderberry poultice, are great options to help fight the infection and alleviate the symptoms of erysipelas, as they contain substances with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. for the skin, and should only be used on skin with erysipelas.
Erysipelas is a skin infection caused by bacteria such as Streptcoccus pyogenes ou Staphylococcus aureusfor example, which can penetrate the skin through an injury or wound, resulting in symptoms such as red spots, swelling, intense pain or even blisters.
Although erysipelas needs to be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a dermatologist, these home remedies help to complement medical treatment and alleviate symptoms, especially swelling and pain in the region. Understand how erysipelas is treated.
Some home remedy options for erysipelas are:
1. Juniper compresses
The juniper compress made from the medicinal plant Common juniper is rich in essential oils, such as citral, eugenol, menthol, carvacrol and geraniol, with antibacterial action, being able to eliminate bacteria, such as Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureuswhich causes erysipelas.
Furthermore, the juniper compress has antiseptic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce inflammation and alleviate the pain and discomfort of erysipelas.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 juniper berries (fruit);
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the water, turn off the heat and add the juniper berries. Cover, let rest for 15 minutes, strain and store the mixture in the refrigerator. Then, soak a sterile gauze, just removed from the packaging, in the juniper infusion, and apply the compress to the area affected by erysipelas for 10 minutes. Repeat the application 2 to 3 times a day.
A new compress should always be used for each application because it is very important that the tissue is completely clean and free of microorganisms.
2. Slug Gel
Aloe vera is a medicinal plant of the species Aloe verawhich has antibacterial action against bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus, in addition to antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and healing properties, making it a good home remedy option for erysipelas.
This gel is able to penetrate deeper layers of the skin, helping to eliminate infection, reduce skin inflammation, pain and discomfort from erysipelas, increase skin hydration and promote healing. Furthermore, as it is rich in polysaccharides, it helps to improve the action of the immune system in combating erysipelas infection.
Before using aloe vera gel, you should do a test by rubbing a little of the gel on the back of your hand to find out if you are allergic. If the skin becomes red or irritated, using aloe vera gel is not recommended.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Wash the aloe leaves, cut in half and remove the gel from the leaf, placing it in a clean, dry container. Then, moisten a sterile gauze with the gel and apply it to the skin areas with erysipelas about 3 times a day. See other benefits of aloe vera.
When preparing this home remedy, it is important not to use the bark of the aloe leaf, which has toxic effects, but only the transparent gel inside the leaf.
Aloe vera gel should not be ingested, but only used on the skin.
3. Elderberry poultice
Elderberry poultice, prepared with the leaves of the medicinal plant Black Beautyis a good home remedy option for erysipelas, as it has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and healing properties, due to the presence of anthocyanins, tannins, flavonols and phenolic acids in its composition, which help to accelerate skin healing, reduce redness and increased temperature of the skin around the lesion.
Ingredients
- Fresh elderberry leaves.
Preparation mode
Wash the elderberry leaves well and then crush the leaves and add a small amount of water. Then, place the leaves in sterile gauze and apply the poultice to the skin in the area affected by erysipelas.
There are also ointments with elderflower extract in the composition, which are indicated for the treatment of cracks caused by cold, bruises, hemorrhoids and chilblains.
4. Washing with baking soda
Sodium bicarbonate is a substance that allows you to deeply cleanse the skin, helping to treat erysipelas by eliminating some of the bacteria responsible for the disease. Furthermore, as it has anti-inflammatory properties, it also reduces swelling and pain.
This wash can be used before applying other types of treatment to the skin, such as juniper compresses or massaging with almond oils, for example.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of sodium bicarbonate;
- 500 ml of water.
Preparation mode
Combine the ingredients in a clean container or basin, cover and store for 2 to 3 hours. Finally, use the mixture to wash your skin during the day, doing 3 to 4 washes, especially before using other medicines in contact with the skin, for example.
5. Massage with almond oil
Almond oil is a great product for nourishing the skin, which is also capable of relieving inflammation and eliminating infections. Therefore, this oil can be used throughout the day to maintain skin health, especially after using other remedies to clean the skin, such as baking soda.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Place a few drops of the oil on the affected skin and massage lightly to facilitate absorption. Repeat this process up to 2 times a day, but avoid placing it on wounds that have appeared in the region.
6. Witch hazel wash
Witch hazel is a medicinal plant that contains antibacterial properties that help fight various types of infections. In this case, it can be used in the form of water to wash the skin affected by erysipelas, eliminating some of the bacteria and facilitating medical treatment.
Ientering
- 2 tablespoons of dried witch hazel leaves or bark;
- 500 ml of water.
Preparation mode
Place the ingredients in a clean, dry glass container and mix. Then cover and let it rest for about 3 hours. Finally, use this water to wash the area of skin affected by erysipelas.
This wash can be repeated several times a day, making it a good option to replace washing with baking soda.
7. Gervão plaster
Gervão tea, made with the medicinal plant Stachytarpheta cayenneensisis rich in terpenes, flavonoids, arylpropionics, iridoids, saponins and alkaloids, with antimicrobial properties against bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureusin addition to anti-inflammatory, healing and analgesic action, making it a good home remedy option for erysipelas.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of gervão root;
- 500mL of water.
Preparation mode
Place the ingredients in a container and heat until boiling. Turn off the heat and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then strain, wait for it to cool, dip a sterile gauze in the tea and apply it to the skin with erysipelas.
8. Alteia infusion
The marshmallow infusion, also known as malva-branca or marshmallow, must be prepared using the root of the medicinal plant. Althaea officinalis, has properties emollients, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic and healing agents that help with skin healing, making them a good option for a home remedy for erysipelas.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of marshmallow root;
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Add the marshmallow root to the cup of boiling water and let it rest for 10 minutes. Strain, soak a sterile gauze in the infusion and apply to the skin with erysipelas, twice a day.
9. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a great option for a home remedy for erysipelas, as it has antiseptic, antibacterial and healing properties, helping to fight the microorganism responsible for the infection and alleviate symptoms. See what the benefits of tea tree oil are.
Ingredients
- 5 drops of tea tree essential oil;
- 2 tablespoons of coconut, sweet almond or olive oil.
Preparation mode
Mix the ingredients and gently rub over the area of skin with erysipelas, once a day, for a maximum of 6 consecutive days.
Before applying tea tree oil, you should check if you are allergic to this oil and, therefore, it is recommended to apply a drop of tea tree oil to the skin on the back of your hand. If allergy symptoms such as redness, itching, swelling or the formation of small blisters appear on your hand, you should wash your skin and not use tea tree oil as a home remedy for erysipelas.
10. Mugwort compress
The mugwort compress, made with the flowers of the medicinal plant Artemisia vulgarisis rich in flavonoids, sesquiterpenes and phenolic acids, with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can be used on skin with erysipelas to help alleviate symptoms, but should not be used on open or bleeding wounds.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of artemisia flowers;
- 1/2 liter of water.
Preparation mode
Put the mugwort flowers and water to boil for 1 minute. Cover and let rest for about 15 minutes. Then, it should be applied to the affected skin area, using sterile gauze or a clean, dry cloth, 1 to 3 times a day.
