Omega 3 Good for Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can affect the skin's surface or tissues underlying your skin. In severe cases, it can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream. Cellulitis is caused by bacteria entering through a crack in your skin; the most common culprit is streptococcus, which causes strep infections. The use of oils or capsules that contain omega-3 may help alleviate the infection, while the use of certain herbs can also be beneficial.

Symptoms

If you contract cellulitis, your skin becomes red, swollen, tender and warm. The redness may spread, causing blisters and red streaks along with a possible fever and chills. If you develop a fever, seek medical attention immediately, as this indicates the infection is spreading. It may migrate to your bloodstream and can lead to meningitis if it progresses to your brain.

Treatment

The most common treatment for cellulitis is a prescription antibiotic. If you and your physician catch the condition early enough, the antibiotics will counter the bacterial infection. However, if the infection has spread and become more severe, you may need to be hospitalized so that intravenous antibiotics can be administered.

Omega 3

Omega-3 is a natural fish oil credited with numerous health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, improving fertility and depression, reducing asthma symptoms and easing inflammation. The use of omega-3 oils could help reduce inflammation associated with cellulitis; however, it should not be used as the sole treatment option for the condition.

Omega-3 can be found in numerous foods, particularly salmon, herring and mackerel. Other foods rich in omega-3 include flax, eggs, meat, milk and cheese.

Other Natural Remedies

In addition to taking omega-3 supplements, patients with cellulitis may benefit from taking garlic, which can help your antibiotics work more efficiently. Take three capsules of garlic oil per day, until the infection disappears. You can also take echinacea as capsules or as a extract; this herb strengthens your immune system, which can help fight the infection and may prevent cellulitis from recurring.

In any case, if you choose to supplement your antibiotics with omega-3 or other natural remedies, be sure to finish your antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel that the infection has cleared up.

To prevent developing cellulitis, the best thing to do is keep your body healthy and resistant to infection. Eat carrots and other foods rich in vitamin A to strengthen your skin, and use creams enriched with vitamin E to hydrate and heal your skin. Dry skin is more prone to cracks, which can provide a starting point for bacterial cellulitis.