Natural remedies for cellulitis

Cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph) and group A streptococci. It appears as a swollen, red area of skin that causes pain or tenderness.

Cellulitis can spread rapidly to other parts of the body, especially tissues underlying the skin. Usually, the infection occurs on the lower legs in areas where the skin is damaged or inflamed. Anyone, at any age, can develop cellulitis, but you are most at risk if you smoke, suffer poor circulation or have diabetes.

While antibiotics are the first line of defence for cellulitis, natural treatments are available that may support healing.

What are the symptoms?

Cellulitis can range from mild to severe. Possible signs and symptoms include:

• A red area of skin that tends to expand
• Swelling
• Warmth
• Tenderness
• Pain
• Fever
• Red spots or blisters
• Weeping fluid or pus

Causes of cellulitis

Cellulitis occurs when bacteria such as streptococcus and staphylococcus enter through damaged skin. Reasons for cracks or breaks in the skin include:

• Trauma, such as an insect bite, burn, cut or abrasion
• Surgical wound
• Skin problems, such as eczema, psoriasis, athlete’s foot or acne
• A foreign object in the skin, such as a splinter, metal or glass
• Dry, flaky or swollen skin

Complications of cellulitis

Swollen lymph nodes in the throat, groin or armpit, as well as fevers, sweats and vomiting, are signs of the infection spreading to other parts of the body. It is important that you see your healthcare professional if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Treatment with antibiotics

Antibiotics are commonly the first line of treatment for cellulitis and may be given orally or intravenously. Even if you have been prescribed antibiotics, natural therapies can be used in conjunction or as a treatment in milder cases. In those who experience recurrent episodes of cellulitis, certain preventative measures should also be considered, such as managing your weight, establishing an exercise routine, addressing diet and for those with diabetes, improving its management.

Natural ways to treat cellulitis to discuss with your healthcare professional

While antibiotics are the first line of defence, there are also some natural remedies that may help support recovery when treating cellulitis. Discuss your options with your healthcare professional before considering treating cellulitis at home naturally. 

Probiotics

If you are taking a dose of antibiotics, it’s important to replenish the good bacteria that can be wiped out during this process. Taking a probiotic at this time will help to boost the function of the immune system while also avoiding digestive related side-effects such as diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. A healthy yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii can also aid in preventing these side-effects while improving the effectiveness of certain antibiotics. Taking probiotics or S. Boulardii may help prevent fungal infections—a common side-effect of antibiotics.

Zinc

An important mineral to help combat infection and assist in wound healing. Taken at high doses, zinc sulphate was an effective treatment for a rare form of cellulitis, dissecting cellulitis, that affects the scalp. Zinc could also be combined with other antioxidants for skin health, such as beta-carotene, selenium and vitamins C and E.

Omega-3

Omega-3 from fish oil can be useful for cellulitis. It can aid in circulation, reduce inflammation and improve wound healing. It can be particularly helpful for people who experience dry skin, especially if this has been the cause of their cellulitis. It can be taken in liquid or capsule form, even enteric coated for people who experience the fishy aftertaste.

Herbal medicine

Echinacea taken as a supplement can help fight off infection as well as stimulate the lymphatic system. Recurrent episodes of cellulitis may damage lymphatic drainage and cause chronic swelling. Grapeseed extract and Gotu kola are other herbs that can be used internally to increase circulation and aid in wound healing.

Wound care

One of the most important things for recovery is to rest at home. This gives the body a chance to fight the infection. Ideally, when resting, elevate the area of the body as high as possible to reduce pain and swelling and to help with drainage.

Related reads:

• What you need to know about how probiotics work
• Pitting of nails: the causes and how to fix it
• How hyaluronic acid may impact your skin

References

1. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cellulitis 
2. Raff, A. B., & Kroshinsky, D. (2016). Cellulitis. JAMA, 316(3), 325. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.8825 
3. Tabassum N, Hamdani M. Plants used to treat skin diseases. Pharmacogn Rev. 2014 Jan;8(15):52-60
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=cellulitis+herbs 
5. Ouwehand AC. Probiotic approach to prevent antibiotic resistance. Ann Med. 2016;48(4):246-55
6. Scheinfeld N. Dissecting cellulitis (Perifolliculitis Capitis Abscendens et Suffodiens): a comprehensive review focusing on new treatments and findings of the last decade with commentary comparing the therapies and causes of dissecting cellulitis to hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Online J. 2014 May 16;20(5):22692
7. Akdemir Evrendilek G. Empirical prediction and validation of antibacterial inhibitory effects of various plant essential oils on common pathogenic bacteria. Int J Food Microbiol. 2015 Jun 2;202:35-41
8. Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/709152
9. Chin, K. B., & Cordell, B. (2013). The Effect of Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) on Wound Healing Using a Dressing Model. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(12), 942–945. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2012.0787