Cellulitis is a virulent infection that develops in the deepest layers of your skin. It often begins when a cut, bite or scrape is not cleaned properly. If you have low immunity due to HIV infection or cancer, you may be more susceptible to developing cellulitis. The most common bacterial causes of cellulitis are Streptococcus (strep) and Staphylococcus (staph).
Who is Prone to Cellulitis?
Those who have recently had surgery, suffered chicken pox, or been bitten by a poisonous spider such as a Violin spider are susceptible to developing cellulitis. Even an especially stubborn case of athlete’s foot can lead to this condition. Furthermore, if you routinely use IV treatments or are an intravenous drug user, you could develop cellulitis.
Symptoms of Cellulitis
Symptoms of cellulitis include tight, swollen skin that appears shiny and is hot to the touch. If cellulitis spreads to the lymph nodes, you may see red lines or streaks in your skin. Cellulitis responds well to treatment when caught early enough. Left untreated, however, it spreads quickly and can lead to heart inflammation (endocarditis), sepsis, gangrene, and even necrotizing fasciitis, also known as “flesh-eating bacteria.”
Antibiotics Come with Side Effects and Don’t Always Work
The most common treatment for cellulitis is multiple doses of high-powered antibiotics. Oftentimes, this exceptionally-high antibiotic dosage disagrees with a patient and causes troubling side effects.
Antibiotics not only wipe out the infection but all of the live, active cultures in your gut that keep your immune system strong and your digestion regular.
Despite the strength of the antibiotics, sometimes your body becomes resistant to them and they no longer work effectively.
This is why many South Africans are turning to natural cellulitis treatments to use instead of or in conjunction with, their antibiotics.
Effective Natural Cellulitis Treatments
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Organic Raw Coconut Oil
Cold-pressed 100% raw organic coconut oil contains lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid, all of which have been shown to have powerful natural antibiotic properties. Use the raw coconut oil directly on your skin at the site of the cellulitis and take a 1-3 teaspoons orally until symptoms subside.
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Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is one of nature’s most powerful natural antibiotics. It contains carvacrol and thymol, which have been shown to be extremely effective against multiple strains of bacteria. Mix it with a bit of coconut oil and rub it into your skin, taking care to avoid your eyes and mucous membranes. You can also take oregano oil internally in capsule form.
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Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is a type of medicinal honey that comes from nectar collected by honeybees foraging on the manuka tree, which is native to New Zealand. This broad-spectrum natural antibiotic has been shown to be effective in acting upon more than 80 different species of pathogens.
It contains hydrogen peroxide, phytochemicals, and active enzymes that seem to break down and destroy cellulitis within weeks.
Manuka honey with a Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) of 16+ or more has even been shown to be effective on superbugs like MRSA. It can be placed directly on the skin or taken internally.
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Medicinal Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of stubborn and difficult-to-treat conditions. Medicinal mushrooms regulate your immune system and give it the boost it needs to fight infection and recover from a long illness.
Reishi medicinal mushrooms contain highly-oxygenated triterpenoid compounds and ganoderic acids, which help decrease body-wide inflammation. Shiitake medicinal mushrooms are effective at cleansing your liver, which helps it remove cellulitis toxins more efficiently.
Cellulitis is dangerous if left untreated. If the side effects of the antibiotics you’re taking have become too much for you or if the antibiotic is not working properly, these effective natural cellulitis treatments can help you where others have failed.