How to Treat a Wound Infection Naturally

Recognising a wound infection early is crucial for optimal healing and preventing complications.

While natural approaches can support wound healing, a doctor's diagnosis and treatment are important for confirmed infections to prevent them from spreading.

Manuka honey, with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, is a natural remedy that can be used alongside conventional treatment for wound infections. It can also be used in the early stages of a wound to prevent issues from compounding.

Recognising the Signs of a Wound Infection

Ignoring a wound infection can lead to serious consequences. Recognising the signs early allows for prompt treatment and minimises the risk of complications.

Here are some common signs of a wound infection to watch out for:

• Increased redness, swelling, and pain around the wound. This is a normal inflammatory response in the initial healing stages. However, if the redness and swelling deteriorates or spreads beyond the wound margins, it could indicate an infection.

• Pus drainage. Clear or slightly yellow drainage is normal during healing. However, thick pus, particularly if it's yellow, green, or brown, suggests a potential infection.

• Fever or chills.

• Red streaks radiating from the wound.

• Feeling generally unwell.

Natural Remedies to Support the Wound Healing Process

Natural remedies can play a complementary role in wound healing alongside conventional treatment. Here are some potential natural approaches to consider:

Manuka Honey

Why not use a natural antibiotic that also tastes delicious?

Manuka honey contains high levels of a powerful naturally occurring compound called methylglyoxal (also known as MG or MGO). This compound has received extensive research over the last 40+ years and has been found to be antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal. It also helps scars to subside, supports the natural healing of wounds, and much more.

If you decide to use manuka honey on your wound, make sure to buy a legitimate product that’s verified to be the real deal (here’s how) - there are many fakes on the market. And be sure to use at least a UMF™ 10+ grade (263mg/kg of MGO or more).

You might be wondering: is manuka honey really that good? And what do all these numbers mean?

Yes, manuka honey is really that good at treating wounds naturally. We regularly receive customer feedback saying how quickly it helped to heal their injuries.

Case study: How Manuka Honey Saved Rik’s Ankle

The numbers you see on a jar of honey can indicate different things, depending on the letters next to them. ‘MGO’ refers to the concentration of MGO in the product. The higher the MGO level, the more potent and powerful the manuka honey’s activity is.

UMF™ is a complete grading system that takes a number of different factors (including MGO) into account to ensure that you’re getting fresh, authentic, pure, monofloral manuka honey.

However, you may also see other numbers like NPA, MGS, and K-Factor. It can get quite confusing. If you’d like to get a better understanding of what these numbers mean (and which ones actually matter), check out this article.

Other Potential Natural Wound Infection Remedies

Here are some other natural remedies that you may want to consider:

• Curcumin (from turmeric): Exhibits anti-inflammatory and potentially antibacterial properties. Curcumin is best absorbed when taken with black pepper.
  
  

• Aloe vera gel: May help soothe pain and inflammation, and promote healing. Look for aloe vera gel with minimal added ingredients, as many products on the shelves are filled with additives.
  
  

• Calendula cream: Offers possible anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects. Patch test for allergies before applying to a wound.
  
  

• Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil has shown promise in fighting bacteria. However, it can cause skin irritation, so a dilution with a carrier oil (such as coconut or sweet almond oil) is essential. Make sure to do a patch test before applying it to the wound to help avoid allergic reactions.

These natural remedies can be helpful, but they are not a replacement for sound medical advice. If your wound worsens after using these remedies, go to the doctor.

Should You Cover an Open Wound or Let it Breathe?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Both covering and leaving a wound open can be beneficial depending on the stage of healing:

Benefits of Covering a Wound

• Protects the wound from dirt, debris, and further contamination.

• Helps maintain a moist wound environment, which is essential for optimal healing - especially in the earlier stages.

• Reduces pain and discomfort.

Benefits of Letting a Wound Breathe

• May promote faster drying of the wound surface, especially in the later stages of healing where scab formation naturally takes place.
  
  

• Allows for better monitoring of the wound for signs of infection.

Your doctor will advise you on whether to cover your wound and what type of dressing to use based on the specific situation (and whether it’s a minor wound or a more significant injury). In general, it’s best to cover the wound in the earlier stages to promote faster healing.

How to Make a Wound Heal Faster

While there's no magic bullet to accelerate wound healing, you can take some holistic actions to support your body’s natural functions. These include:

• Proper wound care: As previously mentioned, proper cleaning, maintaining a moist environment, and following your doctor's instructions are crucial for optimal healing and to prevent infection.

• Balanced diet: Ensure you're getting enough essential nutrients like protein, vitamin C, and zinc, which are vital for tissue repair.

• Adequate sleep: When you sleep, your body focuses on healing and repair processes. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.

• Stress management: Chronic stress can hinder healing. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation can be beneficial.

• Consider natural remedies: As previously mentioned, manuka honey, with its potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, is a great natural addition to your wound healing routine alongside conventional treatment.