Chickenpox is a viral infection that causes dozens of itchy, fluid-filled blisters. These blisters burst and form crust that can potentially leave scars on your skin. The best way to prevent scarring is to avoid scratching during the acute phase of the disease. However, once the scars develop, there are several natural remedies that you can use to treat the scars. You should, however, speak with a medical professional prior to using any natural remedy to treat scarring.
Coconut Water
After the infection has run its course, you can apply coconut water with a clean cotton ball to accelerate the fading of the scars, advises the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Continue to apply the coconut water daily until you have achieved the desired effect and minimized the visibility of scars left behind from your chickenpox.
Oat Flour
According to the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, oat flour has the power to hydrate your skin, speeding up the healing process for the scars. To apply oat flour, make a paste with the oat flour and rub it on the scars directly for 10 minutes. You can make this paste by mixing 1 cup of raw oats with 2 cups of hot water. Allow this mixture to cool prior to the application, and rinse your skin with warm water to remove the oat flour paste afterward.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an alkaline substance that has a low acidity. It can help treat the discoloration of the skin associated with chickenpox scarring, notes the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. You can make a baking soda paste by mixing 2 tsp. of baking soda with 8 oz. water. Rub the paste into your skin for two minutes and then rinse your skin with water.
Miscellaneous Remedies
Lemon juice is another option to reduce the appearance of scarring. However, you should only apply lemon juice to the scars at night because sunlight can react with lemon water and leave new marks on your skin. Honey, another natural treatment for chickenpox scars, has the ability to provide a moist, healing environment for your skin that can prevent bacterial growth. Apply the honey daily to your chickenpox scars. Eating foods rich in vitamins such as spinach, dairy products, broccoli, tomatoes, liver and cabbage can also promote the healing process for the scars.
References
- "Chickenpox"; Gretchen Hoffmann; 2008
- "Body Rejuvenation"; Murad Alam and Marisa Pongprutthipan; 2010
- Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine; Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno; 1997
- Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs With All Their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments; Andrew Chevallier; 2000
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