I wanted to highlight some of the common summertime skin concerns and my holistic solutions for some of them. This one seemed suitable as this was a recent question asked on my website: “About a week ago I noticed a big red pimple on my arm’s pit. I have been bathing morning and night, but it hasn’t gone away. Then this morning I noticed another one. What’s going on here?”
My recommendation: I suspect those red bumps are actually boils which crop up when staph bacteria infects hair follicles and skin tissue. The underarm area is susceptible to infection due to friction, shaving (which can break skin to allow bacterial entry), and sweat (which encourages bacteria to breed). While boils are more common in people with suppressed immune systems, the painful bumps can also occur in healthy people- especially in the summer, when staph bacteria thrive. The good news is that most boils disappear with home treatment. Just soak a washcloth in warm salt water (add 1tsp of salt to 1 quart of water) and apply to the affected area for 10 minutes 3 times daily. The boils should rupture and drain within a week, after which you can apply a thin film of antibiotic ointment twice/day for a couple of days.
To prevent future boils, try turmeric powder. Drinking a daily glass of warm water mixed with 1 tsp of turmeric powder is proven to ward off bacterial skin infections. The credit goes to the spice’s active ingredient – curcumin which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. I like Rebel Herbs’ Turmeric Powder . Add 1/4 teaspoon per day to water,juice,or smoothie and shake until mixed. Another one I love is New Chapter’s Fermented Turmeric Powder Booster. This is one is organic too! Add approx. 1 teaspoon to your favorite milk, juice, or smoothie. Either one can be purchased at https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/skogan
