Home Treatments for Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection. It causes a rash and leaves skin red, tender and swollen. It is important to seek treatment quickly because this infection has the potential to enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This condition is caused by bacteria entering a crack or break in the skin. The two most common kinds of bacteria are streptococcus and staphylococcus. Natural treatments for cellulitis should be used in conjunction with the standard treatment of antibiotics and never on their own. Be sure to tell your doctor about any natural supplements you are using.

Important Considerations for Treatment

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, there have not been a lot of studies that have specifically examined natural treatments for cellulitis. However, the medical center does have a list of recommendations that may be helpful based on the supplements' general healing properties that address certain characteristics of this condition. Again, do not rely on natural treatments alone for this condition. This infection can turn serious very quickly and standard antibiotics are very important.

Herbal Treatments

Bromelain is well known for its ability to reduce swelling and inflammation. Take 250 milligrams two or three times a day. Echinacea is good for strengthening the immune system. Take 500 to 1,000 milligrams three times a day. Echinacea can also be used topically to treat inflamed skin, as is the case with cellulitis. Use as directed on the product label. Pycnogenol and gotu kola keep skin healthy. Take 200 milligrams of pycnogenol daily and 60 milligrams of Gotu Kola twice a day. Avoid gotu kola if you suffer from anxiety or hypertension (high blood pressure).

The following treatments can be applied topically to accelerate healing of the skin.
Goldenseal root is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. Slippery elm has antiseptic properties. Mix these powders with a small amount of water to make a paste and apply to the infected area two times a day. Calendula is well known for its skin-soothing properties. There are many creams available. You can also make a tea by adding one or two teaspoons of dried calendula flowers to a cup of boiling water. Let steep for about 10 minutes, let it cool off, soak a cloth in it, and apply to the skin. Tea tree oil and pure honey are also highly antibacterial.