Bacterial Skin Infections

Boils are red, swollen, and tender eruptions. Impetigo causes tiny blisters, usually around the nose and mouth. Body odour is often caused when bacteria on the skin react with perspiration. You can treat all these with natural remedies but if they don't respond, or if they are severe or persistent, consult your doctor.

Treating a boil
Never squeeze a boil because you might force the bacteria into the bloodstream and spread the infection through the body Hot compresses help to draw the boil to a head, so it can safely rupture, drain, and then heal. Soak a flannel in hot water and place it on the boil. Cover the flannel with a dry towel to retain heat When it cools, resoak the cloth in hot water and reapply. Repeat for 15 minutes, three times a day.

Tea tree for boils
Tea tree essential oil has powerful antimicrobial properties and helps to fight infection. Apply a drop of undiluted tea tree oil to the boil several times a day until the eruption has healed.

Fight infection with echinacea
Echinacea boosts the function of your immune system and helps to fight the bacteria that cause infections.Take half a teaspoon of echinacea extract three times a day for up to ten days.

Tea tree for impetigo
Tea tree is antibacterial and helps dry impetigo blisters. Lavender essential oil helps alleviate inflammation.
1 tablespoon almond oil
1/2 teaspoon tea tree essential oil
1/2 teaspoon lavender essential oil
Combine the ingredients in a tightly capped bottle. Apply with a cotton ball to the blisters three times a day.

Calendula for impetigo
Calendula is a powerful antimicrobial but is gentle enough for infants. Make a strong tea by pouring 250m1 (8fl oz) of boiling water over two tablespoons of dried calendula Cover, steep for 20 minutes, and strain. Soak a flannel in the warm tea and apply to the impetigo blisters for ten minutes, three times a day.

Detoxify to prevent body odour
A simple detox programme may help reduce toxins eliminated through your skin. For two days, eat only vegetables and vegetable broth, and drink at least six glasses of watcr.Take one tablespoon of psyllium husks in the morning with a glass of water, followed by another glass of water.

Reduce odour by avoiding certain foods
Avoid eating fried foods or baked goods, which may contain rancid fats or oils that contribute to offensive body odour. Also avoid otherwise healthy foods, such as onions, garlic, and curry spices, which all contain potent essential oils that may be released through your skin.

Chlorophyll foods to combat odour
To improve liver function and so combat body odour, eat foods high in chlorophyll, such as kale. watercress, and other dark leafy greens. Or take a teaspoon mixed in liquid twice a day of chlorophyllrich supplements such as spirulina chlorella, and barley grass.

Oils to neutralize odour
Spray the following mixture under your arms when needed to help stop the growth of odour-causing bacteria.

60ml (2fl oz) distilled witch hazel extract
10 drops grapefruit-seed extra"
10 drops cypress essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil

Mix the ingredients in a small spray bottle and shake well before using.

Fungal Skin Conditions
Ringworm may appear anywhere on the skin or scalp, and the ring-shaped rash can be tough to eradicate. Athlete's foot is a red, itchy, cracked, and scaly rash that usually begins between the toes and sometimes spreads to other parts of the feet. Antifungal herbs and essential oils will eradicate the tenacious fungus, but you also have to take steps to prevent reinfection.

Boost your immunity
Fungi are opportunistic so the stronger your immune system. the less likely they are to hang around. Take half a teaspoon of echinacea extract twice daily for ten days. take a break for three days, and repeat the dosage for an additional ten days.

Prevent ringworm spreading
Ringworm is highly contagious so change clothing. towels, and bedding daily. Wash items in hot water and dry in a hot dryer to kill the fungi.

Antifungal spray
Apple cider vinegar restores the healthy acidity of the skin to help it become more resistant to fungal growth. Lavender is antimicrobial and soothes itching and inflammation.

125ml (4fl oz) apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon lavender essential oil

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake. Spray onto your skin once a day after showering.

Fight ringworm with essential oils
Tea tree oil is a powerful antifungal and one of the best remedies for fungal skin infections. Lavender oil relieves itching and irritation, and also helps subdue the intense medicinal smell of tea tree oil. Mix together equal parts of tea tree essential oil and lavender essential oil and apply to the rash twice daily.

Calendula antifungal foot soak
Calendula fights the athlete's foot fungus and encourages skin healing.

500ml (16fl oz) boiling water
4 tablespoons dried calendula flowers
60ml (2fl oz) apple cider vinegar

Pour the water over the flowers, cover, and steep until lukewarm.
Strain, and pour into a basin large enough to hold your feet Cover your feet with warm water and add the vinegar, which increases skin acidity and discourages fungal growth. Soak your feet twice daily for 20 minutes.

Healing foot spray
Tea tree combats the athlete's foot fungus, while aloe soothes irritated, itchy skin.

125ml(4fl oz) aloe vera juice
1/2 teaspoon tea tree essential oil

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before using, and apply twice daily. Let your feet air dry before putting on socks or shoes. Continue using this spray for at least one month, even after symptoms have disappeared. to ensure that the fungus has been eliminated.

Prevent reinfection of your feet
Dry your feet well after bathing, especially between your toes, where the athlete's foot fungus usually takes hold. A hairdryer can be helpful for thorough drying. Change your socks every day (more often if you exercise and your feet get sweaty), and choose cotton socks over synthetic fibres.

Alternate shoes so that you aren't wearing the same pair every day. Wear rubber thongs on your feet in public showers or locker rooms- - the fungus that causes athlete's foot thrives in such environments and is easily spread.