Impetigo is a common contagious skin disease that mostly affects children. It is an extremely painful condition in which red sores develop on the skin. These sores often break and gives out pus which forms a crust on the skin. Caused by bacteria, this disease usually affects children after they suffer from cold or fever. Impetigo impacts absolutely healthy skin as well. This condition can be cured with the help of antibiotics. If you don’t want to go ahead with harsh medications for your little one, you can try natural ways to cure this condition. Here are the best natural ways to cure impetigo in children.

Read More: 11 Natural Treatments for Impetigo in Children

11 Natural Ways to Cure Impetigo in Babies

1. Echinacea

Even before antibiotics were discovered, native Americans trusted this herb due to its miraculous healing properties. Make some Echinacea tea and let it cool. Soak a piece of washcloth in the tea and make a compress. Place the compress on infected areas for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat the process 3-4 times daily till the area heals completely.

2. Vinegar

Cleaning skin that’s infected is a very difficult job. Impetigo leaves skin tender and cleaning it in wrong way can spread the infection further. White vinegar is the perfect cleaning agent as it is antiseptic and completely natural. Add one tablespoon of vinegar to a small bowl of warm water. Soak cotton ball to it and clean the infected area gently. You can apply any antibiotic cream on top of it if you want.

3. Myrrh Oil

Myrrh oil is known for its immunity-boosting properties. It also contains anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce inflammation in the impetigo sores. Mix few drops of Myrrh oil with honey and apply on the affected area. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and wash it off. Honey is a natural antiseptic and makes sure your child’s skin heals faster.

4. Plain warm compress

Heat is known to kill bacteria. A heat compress can be a gentle solution for your child’s impetigo. Soak a washcloth in hot water and apply it to the affected area, Repeat it 2-3 times in a day. Always clean the used washcloths in disinfectants to prevent infection from spreading.

5. Ginger and turmeric

Ginger and turmeric is a great combination to heal impetigo.

They both contain powerful anti-inflammatory compounds which ensure faster healing of the impetigo sores. Make some ginger tea for your child with some honey. Drinking this tea 2-3 times daily can ensure quicker recovery. Mixing a pinch of turmeric in warm glass of milk can help calm down the infections. You can also apply a paste of turmeric on your child’s skin to heal the sores. Turmeric is natural and doesn’t have any negative impact on your child’s skin.

6. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is an amazing skin care oil that has been used in therapies since ages! It has anti-microbial properties which not only calm the inflammation but also prevents the infection from spreading. Topical application of this oil can bring relief to your child. However, tea tree oil should never be used undiluted. Mix two three drops of tea tree oil in a cup of water and soak a cotton ball in that mixture. Apply the cotton ball on the affected area. You can also mix tea tree oil in olive oil and coconut oil and apply to the affected area.

7. Olive oil

Olive oil is known for its moisturising properties. But it also contains two antibiotics compounds called oleuropein and rutin. Apply few drops of olive oil on the affected skin to kill the bacteria. Olive oil also effectively nourishes your little one’s delicate skin while healing it at the same time.

8. Grapefruit seed extracts

Grapefruit is rich in antioxidants and its seed extracts contain strong antimicrobial compounds which are really effective in treating impetigo. Take two tablespoons of water and mix 4-5 drops of grapefruit seed extracts to it. Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture to your child’s skin. This process provides really quick relief from the painful sores.

Read More: Impetigo in Babies: Signs and Symptoms

9. Manuka honey

Manuka honey is different from regular honey; it is richer in antibiotic compounds that ensure faster recovery from skin infections like impetigo. Since it is natural, it doesn’t have harsh effects on the tender skin of your child. Apply a thin coat of manuka honey on the affected skin and leave it on for couple of hours and wash it off. Consumption of manuka honey can also boost the immunity of your child.

10. Garlic

Garlic is a very strong antibacterial herb. It effectively kills the bacteria and also provides instant relief from the itching caused due to impetigo. Garlic can be really strong for your child’s skin so it needs to be diluted before use. Heat two tablespoon of sesame oil and add two three cloves of garlic to it. Strain the mixture after it has cooled down completely. Apply this mixture to the infected skin twice a day for effective treatment.

11. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is extremely effective in healing skin and disinfecting the affected area. It allows skin to heal naturally while preventing the infection from spreading further. Apply Aloe Vera gel to the affected skin liberally. It will soothe the sores and also ensure faster healing of the skin.

Impetigo is a contagious disease so make sure all the items you’re using for treatment, like washcloth or cotton balls, are disposed or disinfected thoroughly. Give your child a warm bath every day to get rid of germs regularly. Do not scrub the infected skin as it can irritate the sores further. Apart from implementing natural ways to treat impetigo, it is also important to visit a doctor and follow his advice and medications side by side.