Chikungunya, along with dengue and the Zika virus, has become a frequent viral infection in several Latin American countries, increasing the concern of health authorities and residents regarding its contagion. With symptoms very similar to dengue, this condition does not have a specific treatment, so rest and hydration are the best weapons to guarantee our recovery.
Some homemade solutions can improve our general condition and promote a speedy recovery despite this. In this FastlyHealarticle, we show you some home remedies for chikungunya that can promote hydration, reduce joint pain and promote your well-being.
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Can home remedies help us?
As with conditions such as dengue and the Zika virus, chikungunya is transmitted by the infected bite of the Aedes Agypti mosquito; once we are infected, the first symptoms can take between 4 and 8 days to appear. The signs of this condition are similar to those of dengue, characterized by a slight decrease in platelets accompanied by a fever above 39 ºC, severe joint pain caused by the action of this virus, skin rashes that can appear from the first days, and other conditions like headache, eye pain, and fatigue.
Rest to mitigate fatigue and hydrate to overcome fever is of great importance, but we can also ally ourselves with some foods that help raise platelets and with ingredients that favor the reduction of inflammation of the joints; in this way, we improve our recovery process. For these reasons, specific home remedies can help the patient with chikungunya enhance their general picture, so it is convenient to take them into account.
Home remedies to ensure hydration
High fever over 39 ºC is one of the symptoms of chikungunya; this condition can cause rapid dehydration in the patient, so administering fluids throughout the day in small amounts is essential. This precaution should be extreme in the case of young children and the elderly, so you can resort to some home remedies for chikungunya that promote hydration.
Some good alternatives are:
Homemade oral serum
It is a perfect solution to offer fast and safe hydration. Doing it is very easy. You will only need:
- One liter of drinking water.
- Add the juice of a lemon, a teaspoon of salt, a teaspoon of baking soda, and a tablespoon of sugar to the water.
- Stir well until the ingredients are combined, and serve little by little throughout the day.
Lemon helps improve the immune system; salt and bicarbonate favor the recovery of mineral salts lost during fever, while sugar provides energy and enhances the drink’s taste. It is recommended to intersperse a glass of homemade oral serum with another of gua to improve hydration.
Coconut water
This natural ingredient is perfect to benefit hydration. Still, it also provides vitamins A and C, which enhance the better functioning of the immune system, along with various minerals such as iron or calcium, which help raise platelets and improve our general health. The recommendation is to drink several glasses throughout the day. However, it must be 100% natural coconut water. Otherwise, you will not be able to enjoy its contributions.
Citrus fruit juice
Due to the content of vitamin C and antioxidants in citrus fruits, they are considered an excellent option to promote rehydration of the body and strengthen the immune system and help you fight against the invading virus. For this reason, it is recommended to consume orange juice, lemonade with sugar, kiwi, grapefruit, or strawberry juice.
You can also add carrot, rich in vitamin A, to the fruit, which will help further to enhance the beneficial effects on the immune system.
Home remedies for joint pain
Chikungunya is characterized by causing inflammation in the joints, which translates into intense pain that can make us even have to walk hunched over. This is one of the essential annoyances of this condition, and some home remedies that can help are:
Heat compresses in the affected areas.
It is a home remedy for chikungunya that helps fight joint pain. The heat relaxes the muscles and favors a reduction in pain, so the idea is to apply hot compresses on the skin previously protected with clothing or some fabric to avoid burns. Leave on for 15 minutes in each area; you can repeat 2 or 3 times a day.
Warm baths will also be equally comforting.
Fresh pineapple or juice
In addition to promoting hydration, pineapple has an enzyme known as bromelain that helps reduce inflammatory processes, being of great help for patients with this condition. It is recommended to eat fresh pineapple or drink two glasses of this fruit juice a day; it is essential to know that pineapple should always be new; the syrup version does not have these properties.
Green tea
This popular drink full of health benefits is a good anti-inflammatory, providing our body with polyphenols that help stimulate the immune system, improve our defenses, and reduce inflammation. You can drink 2 or 3 cups a day to enjoy its properties; if you have a fever, it is better to consume it warm or slightly cold.
Natural options for skin rashes
The eruptions produced in the skin by chikungunya, which appear among the first symptoms of this condition, can be annoying for the patient, causing itching and discomfort. To reduce the rash, you can opt for various very effective home remedies, among which are:
Oatmeal baths
Oatmeal is excellent soothing for the skin, providing hydration while reducing the discomfort caused by hives. Using it is very easy; you only need to crush 2 cups with oat flakes, place them in a container with a couple of liters of water, and let it soak for at least 15 minutes.
Then take a bath as you usually do and, finally, apply the liquid all over your body using a cloth. Rub it gently over the skin and let the oatmeal water soak it in well; you will immediately notice the relief. You can repeat it 2 or 3 times a day.
Gel the aloe vera
Aloe vera or aloe is one of the most beneficial plants for our health, being ideal for treating skin wounds, burns, scars, and the urticaria produced by chikungunya. It is recommended to cut an aloe leaf, remove the gel inside and rub it on the skin in the areas most affected by irritation. It can be repeated a couple of times a day; combining it with oatmeal baths is very positive.
Recommendations to recover from chikungunya
These home remedies for chikungunya can promote recovery; however it is important to follow other recommendations to ensure a better recovery :
- The only safe remedy is acetaminophen or paracetamol in the face of fever and pain. It is not recommended to consume other pain relievers such as ibuprofen or medicines such as aspirin.
- Rest is essential to help our body recover from the virus. It is recommended to rest and avoid unnecessary efforts.
- Adequate hydration is also essential to prevent the fever from rising too high or becoming a serious problem. At least 3 liters of water should be consumed daily with rage and then reduced to 2 when the temperature returns to normal.
- Foods such as chicken broth, cream of carrots, carrot juice, beets, and celery, can promote the recovery of the body and help the immune system to better fight against this virus.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Home remedies for chikungunya, we recommend that you enter our Immune system category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.