The skin is the outermost shield and the first line of defense that protects you from viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The skin provides a remarkably good barrier against most infections. Although many bacteria come in contact with or reside on the skin, they are normally unable to establish an infection. When skin infections do occur, they can range in size from a tiny spot to the entire body surface. They can range in seriousness as well, from harmless to life threatening.
While the deeper and severe infections require medical attention, mild skin infections can be easily cured at home. And no, you don’t need to be a skin specialist to do that. Some common ingredients that are easily available in your kitchen can help treat your skin issues.
Here is a quick look at some types of skin infections:
- Bacteria
Open wounds, cuts, and sores are perfect gateways for bacteria to enter your body. A cut or a bruise always doesn’t mean you will get an infection, but it makes your body more vulnerable to bacterial attacks.
- Viruses
These are the most common factors that cause an infection. Why? Viral infections are highly contagious. The most common viruses that cause skin infections are herpesvirus, poxvirus, and human papillomavirus (this causes skin warts).
- Fungi
Fungal infections depend a lot on your lifestyle (and cleanliness, of course!) Wearing sweaty clothes for long and not cleaning the folds of your body properly make you vulnerable to fungal infections.
- Parasites
These are tiny bugs that burrow themselves deep into your skin, laying eggs on your skin and feeding on you (for instance, lice).
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HOME REMEDIES
YOGHURT
Soak the cotton pad in unsweetened yogurt and apply it to the fungal infection. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash with cold water. Do this twice a day until the infection is gone. Plain yogurt contains probiotics that help prevent fungal infection by producing lactic acid.
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GARLIC
Mince 2 garlic cloves and mix with 2 drops of olive oil. Apply the paste on the affected area and leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash it with lukewarm water. Garlic has antibiotic and antimicrobial properties that help treat bacterial and fungal infections.
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TUMERIC
Mix both the 1 tablespoon of turmeric with 1 teaspoon of honey and make a paste. Apply it to the affected area and allow it to dry. Wash it off with warm water. Turmeric contains curcumin that has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, which help heal infections.
HONEY
Combine 1 teaspoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of onion juice. Apply the mixture to the affected area. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes and then wash off. Both onion and honey have antimicrobial properties. Honey has been used since ancient times (in traditional medicine) for healing wounds and infections.
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GINGER
Apply raw and fresh ginger paste (or the fresh stalk cut into half or the extract) directly on the affected area. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash it off. Ginger has antifungal properties that help inhibit the growth of fungus on the skin.
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FENUGREEK
Boil the fenugreek seeds until they become soft. Allow the water cool. Use cotton pads to apply the liquid to the affected area. Let it dry. Wash with cold water. Fenugreek seeds possess antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
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COCONUT OIL
Mix 2-3 drops of coconut oil and 30ml of olive oil and apply the blend to the affected area. Leave it on for 30 minutes (or overnight) and wash it off later. Coconut oil contains monolaurin and antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agents that help prevent skin infection.
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BAKING SODA
Mix the baking soda with water to form a paste and apply it to the affected area. Leave it on for a few minutes (until it dries) and then wash it off. Baking soda inhibits the growth of bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans, and other infections that breed in the area around your mouth.
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LEMON
Mix the lemon juice with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and apply the solution to the affected area. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Wash it off with water. Lemon juice has astringent, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. Compared to lemon and lime, orange juice has been found to be much stronger against fungal infections.
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GREEN TEA
Soak the green tea bags in boiling water. Remove the tea bags. Apply the water to the affected area. If the infection is on your hands or feet, soak them in this water for at least 10 minutes. Wash and wipe clean. Green tea contains tannins, which are very useful in treating fungal infections. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties as well.
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