Prevent Infection: Fight Bacteria with Aloe Vera!

Put ’em up, put’em up! That’s what aloe vera says to bad bacteria! Because of aloe vera’s anti-bacterial properties, it can put up a good fight against nasty germs. By topically applying aloe vera to your skin, you can therefore minimize the risk of a skin infection. You know, when the skin becomes pussy, swelled and often red after an injury or wound (e.g. a burn, insect bite, tattoo, or other conditions that affect the skin). Nobody wants that! Once an infection is already underway, however, no amount of aloe vera can make it disappear. With its ability to speed wound healing, aloe vera helps prevent an infection; it will not treat an already existing one. So, make sure you consult your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of an infection. But using aloe vera at the first sign of a skin problem can help you avoid an infection from developing in the first place!

Aloe Vera and Bacteria

Research suggests that some chemicals in aloe vera gel enables it to:

• increase circulation in the skin’s blood vessels
• kill bad bacteria
• increase wound-healing time

What About Severe Wounds?

Avoid applying this natural remedy to open, deep, or surgical wounds or third-degree burns (even be careful with second degree ones!).  Why, you ask? Aloe vera can actually slow down the healing process of these types of wounds. Although research suggests that small usage of aloe vera can help disinfect your open cut by killing bad bacteria, aloe vera’s ability to moisturize the skin interferes with its wound-healing powers :your open wounds cannot dry up and heal if they are getting a daily dose of moisturizer! If you ask me, the risk might outweigh the potential reward on this one.  If you, however, choose to try and reap aloe vera’s disinfecting potential, use it very sparingly on your open skin!

Then, What Kind of Skin Problems Can Aloe Vera Treat?

When using aloe vera to treat skin conditions, the key word to remember is “minor.” Aloe vera should only be used to help heal wounds that are not severe.  You want examples? Oh, all right. Here you are:

• burns
• sunburns
• frostbite
• cold sores
• bedsores
• psoriasis
• reduce scarring
• acne

An Infection: Beyond the Rescue of Aloe Vera

When you have a wound that has already become infected, it is too late. Even aloe vera cannot help you at that point. Because an infection can spread and be incredibly dangerous if left untreated, get yourself to a medical professional right away. This is no time to experiment with herbal remedies! Unfortunately, that time has passed. Next time, use aloe vera right away, and you might be able to avoid a trip to the doctor!

How to Topically Apply Aloe Vera

Straight from the middle of the aloe vera leaf and onto your affected skin is the most effective form of aloe vera gel. However, you can purchase various forms of the aloe vera gel: creams, lotions, etc. Ideally, when comparing products, you want to opt for something that is:

• the least processed, and
• has the highest concentration of aloe vera (it should be the main ingrediant)

You can also make your own aloe vera topical treatment for your skin condition. Who needs commercial products when you can make it at home! All it takes is a few easy steps, and voila! A natural skin-healing remedy!

Say bye-bye to bacteria with aloe vera!