15 Alternative Treatments for Cellulitis You May Not Have Considered

Cellulitis is a skin infection that is caused by the Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which penetrates the skin through a cut, scrape, or any wound. Symptoms of this condition include swelling, pain, and excessive warmth.

Cellulitis is not a condition you want to joke around with. If you suspect you have cellulitis, be sure to pay a visit to the doctor immediately. Often developing into a chronic condition, cellulitis is usually treated with standard antibiotics. However, the disease can hang on in a severe, chronic form, and sufferers often seek the additional relief of alternative treatments.

Always let your doctor know of any non-traditional cellulitis treatments, as he may need to adjust his treatment plan to accommodate any potential interactions. There is no definitive clinical evidence that any of the following treatments cure cellulitis, and they should never be used in place of conventional therapy.

 

Why Should You Look for Alternative Treatments for Cellulitis?

Alternative treatments for cellulitis are recommended because antibiotics can have a severe impact on your gut health. How? Well, antibiotics can create an environment in which microbes can quickly develop. Considering the fact the intestinal tract is considered a strong immune system, it’s not wise to disturb the balance of intestinal flora.

So, if you have a condition like cellulitis, our advice is to turn to natural remedies first, and if they are not giving you good results, start taking antibiotics.

To help you fight cellulitis in the most effective way, we made a list of all alternative treatments for cellulitis that will act on cellulitis symptoms without the potential of causing severe side effects. Here’s the list:

 

Garlic – The Most Famous Natural Antibiotic

In one of our previous articles, we mentioned garlic, and it’s natural healing power. In that article, we also mentioned that you can use this vegetable to treat bacterial infections, especially cellulitis.

Garlic has antiviral and antibacterial properties which act as an immune system booster, but also as a potent remedy that successfully fights the most stubborn diseases. As we mentioned in our article, we recommend you to consume three cloves of garlic every day, until the symptoms of the infection are gone. This will usually take a few weeks.

If you are not a fan of the garlic taste, you can chop the garlic instead, and apply it to the affected area. However, if you decide to do so, please be careful, especially if you have sensitive skin. The moment you start experiencing a burning sensation, immediately stop applying to the skin surface.

If you are not sure how beneficial garlic really is, be sure to check out a number of studies on this natural antibiotic on Greenmedinfo.com.

 

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a form of holistic medical care that treats diseases using the philosophy “like cures like,” and takes into consideration the patient’s psychological, physical, and emotional makeup. Usually, cellulitis is treated with standard antibiotics. Any homeopathic effort should be conducted in tandem with traditional treatments and should not interfere with antibiotic efficacy.

Many homeopaths treat cellulitis with apis mellifica for relief from swelling, sulphur to ease hot, burning skin, and Rhus Toxicodendron to soothe itching and restlessness. Mercurius, Lachesis, and cantharis are also used. These therapies should only be attempted under the care of a homeopath.

 

Acupuncture

The traditional Chinese practice of acupuncture is considered an option fighting off cellulitis, and the treatment should only be administered by a qualified acupuncturist. Acupuncture involves insertion of fine needles into specific energy points in the body, thus freeing a natural flow of healing energy to the affected areas. Caution is needed during treatment of inflamed, infected skin areas to prevent the spread of infection.

 

Nutritional Supplements

Over-the-counter nutritional supplements are frequently used to alleviate painful cellulitis symptoms. Immune system boosters vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc are often recommended for soothing inflamed skin, while bromelain is used in conjunction with turmeric for reducing tissue inflammation under the skin.

Bromelain and turmeric should not be used without consulting a doctor, as these supplements may cause bleeding, and should not be taken with blood-thinning medications or aspirin.

Omega-3 fatty acids like flaxseed oil are recommended for their anti-inflammatory properties, while manganese helps heal skin and connective tissues. Flavonoids, components extracted from such fruits as grapes and blueberries, may reduce the risk of cellulitis, and honey can be an effective balm.

 

Massage

Massage may be combined with exercise to improve overall circulation, thus boosting the body’s ability to fight infection. However, massage should not be used while the cellulitis is in an active phase, as healing may be disrupted.

 

Oregano Oil

While we are on the subject of massages, it might be a good time to mention oregano oil. However, this oil is the one you should never use while massaging.

It is a well-known fact that oregano oil is used to combat Escherichia coli, but what you may not know is that it can also be used to treat cellulitis. Oregano oil is a powerful substance which has antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a natural antibiotic and is one of the most significant alternative treatments for cellulitis.

Why is oregano so effective? There are two compounds to credit – thymol and carvacrol. Although this oil can be used internally, when it comes to cellulitis, it is better to use it externally, by applying it to the affected area. But be careful. Oregano oil is strong and can cause burns if not diluted with another oil.

To dilute it, you can use coconut or olive oil. If you decide to do this treatment externally, mix one tablespoon of an oil of your choice and up to 10 drops of oregano oil, and then apply it onto the area you wish to treat.

 

Manuka Honey

Not just regular honey – Manuka honey. Numerous clinical studies and trials have shown that this type of honey can fight more than 200 species of bacteria. And the best part? How easy Manuka honey is to treat cellulitis and the fact that it moisturizes the skin. All you need to do is apply it onto the affected area, wait for a couple of hours, then wash it off. You can repeat the process 3-4 times a day.

Additional tip: If you can find Manuka honey, you can opt for an organic one.

 

Ginkgo Biloba

You may have heard that ginkgo biloba works wonders for improving your memory. It truly does. But, more importantly, it can serve as your one-way ticket to Health Town, at least when we are talking about treating cellulitis.

According to a 2018 research,, this plant has potent anti-inflammatory effects, which makes it one of the most effective alternative treatments for cellulitis. Not only that, it boosts your immune system by speeding up the metabolism.

So, how should you use it to treat cellulitis? Unlike the previously mentioned herbs and oils, ginkgo biloba is not something you can just put on the affected area and call it a day. If you want to treat cellulitis properly, our advice is to buy ginkgo biloba tea then drink it while it is still hot. You can add manuka honey for even more significant results.

 

Tea Tree Oil

Unlike the oregano oil, tea tree oil is an essential one, which means that you can use it without taking some precautionary measures. We are sure you have heard about this oil if you had an issue with acne prone skin. Everything you’ve heard is the truth ー this oil indeed has antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties.

So, how should you use it? All you need to do is apply a few drops of this oil on a cotton ball and then on the cellulitis affected area. Leave it for about 2-3 hours and wash it with a cloth and warm water. If you have sensitive skin, you can mix tea tree oil with another one, like coconut oil. Once those two or three hours have passed, you’ll immediately start to notice swelling and redness reduction.

 

Coconut Oil

When we mentioned oregano oil and tea tree oil, we recommended that you mix these two oils with some other oil, like the coconut oil. The reason for that is its moisturizing property on the skin. But, benefits of coconut oil don’t stop there.

Coconut oil is, believe it or not, a great alternative treatment for cellulitis. It has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. Not only that, keeping skin moisturized can reduce the chance of cellulitis recurrence.

 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is used for many purposes – to treat oily and acne prone skin, to speed up the weight loss process, for stabilizing blood sugar level, etc. All of these benefits come from the one fact, which is that ACV can balance your pH level and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. No wonder it is on the list of alternative treatments for cellulitis.

How should you use apple cider vinegar to treat cellulitis? Just dilute it with water, apply it on a cotton ball, then cleanse the cellulitis affected area. Since ACV is strong and can be abrasive to the skin, we suggest you do this procedure no more than once a day.

 

Yogurt

Now, this seems like an odd tip, doesn’t it?

You’ve read that right – yogurt can help with cellulitis treatment. Although it is primarily used for inflammatory bowel disease, its high levels of probiotics contain millions of “good” bacteria that can reduce the swelling, as well as pain. Yogurt may not be as effective as the other alternative treatments for cellulitis we mentioned but can contribute to your overall health.

How should you use it? You can consume a bowl of yogurt a day or can apply to the affected area. Whatever you decide to do, do it once a day.

 

Yoga

Another holistic cellulitis treatment is the practice of yoga, which can be helpful to those suffering long-term symptoms, by helping to balance the system. The deep breathing practice of pranayama is thought by some to help rid the bodies of toxins by taking in excess oxygen with cleansing breaths.

 

Turmeric

Turmeric is a well-known plant in Ayurvedic medicine for treating inflammatory conditions, and is one of the alternative treatments for cellulitis. Thanks to curcumin in this plant, turmeric andits anti-inflammatory properties can effectively combat cellulitis.

Since turmeric is most commonly used as a powder, we would advise you to mix with some other compound to get the paste that you will apply on the cellulitis affected area. To get the most out of this treatment, try mixing it with manuka honey.

 

Herbs

The ancient art of herbal treatment is often used by cellulitis sufferers. Natural infection-fighter Echinacea can be applied in gel or cream form to reduce inflammation, or take as an oral supplement to reduce infection. Flavonoids in Echinacea can reduce the symptoms of cellulitis, but, as Mercola.com states, try to stay away from Echinacea if you have lupus or some other autoimmune disorder.

Many cellulitis sufferers find relief from pain and itching by bathing in warm baths laced with yarrow and goldenseal root.

As we mentioned before, tea tree oil can be applied directly to the skin as an antibacterial, and pine tree bark extract, calendula flower, and fenugreek seed are other popular options. Often used for post-surgical wound healing, topical creams made of gotu kola are considered to have a soothing effect on skin, mucous membranes, and connective tissue.

Cellulitis sufferers seek the potent natural anti-inflammatory properties of horse chestnut and ginkgo. As herbs can interfere with the effectiveness of other medications, they should be used only under a doctor’s supervision.

 

Activated Charcoal

If you don’t remember from the article on health and beauty benefits of activated charcoal, let us remind you: Activated charcoal has the ability to remove toxins from the body due to its porous structure which absorbs all the toxins and chemicals, especially in the gut.

Fortunately, activated charcoal is one of the best alternative treatments for cellulitis because it can absorb toxins from the affected area. So, instead of taking in AC tablets or pills, all you have to do is buy an AC powder, mix it with water to make a paste and apply on the area that is covered with staph bacteria. You can leave the paste to work its wonders overnight or leave it to dry for a couple of hours during the day. Be sure to repeat this process up to four times and the results will surprise you.

 

How Did You Treat Cellulitis?

All of the mentioned alternative treatments for cellulitis are effective if used continuously. Cellulitis can be a stubborn disease, and you need to know you won’t be able to treat it in a day or two.

Out of all the mentioned ways, which one did you like the most? Or, better yet, which one did you use to treat cellulitis? Be sure to share your tips in the comment section below. Who knows, maybe your advice can help someone who is trying to combat this disease right now?

Image credits: Pixabay.com

Last article update: 01/09/2019