The Zika virus has become a significant concern for several Latin American countries, especially after its relationship between infection in pregnant women and the birth of babies with microcephaly was established and the increase in cases of patients with Guillain Syndrome – Barré. They have previously suffered from this virus.
80% of those who suffer from it do not have symptoms; however, around 20% will experience fever, weakness, headache, conjunctivitis, joint pain, and skin rashes. Hydration and proper rest are essential to recovering from this disease that, for now, has no treatment. However, we can also resort to some home remedies for Zika that we detail in FastlyHeal.
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How can these natural remedies help me?
The Zika virus, like other conditions also produced by the infected bite of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, such as dengue or chikungunya, does not have a specific treatment, so we depend entirely on the effectiveness of our immune system to recover as soon as possible. It is for this reason that natural remedies can become great allies.
Certain foods can improve the immune system’s effectiveness and help increase the level of platelets, which drops due to this condition. In the same way, certain natural ingredients help combat other symptoms of this condition, such as conjunctivitis, reducing the presence of the virus and deflating the area, or skin eruptions, calming the dermis to relieve discomfort. Although they are not a definitive solution, they are undoubted of great help in promoting a speedy recovery.
Remedies to improve your general health
If you suffer from this condition, it is essential to guarantee adequate hydration in addition to receiving a good diet that not only nourishes your body but also helps to strengthen the immune system. Some excellent home remedy alternatives for Zika are:
Coconut water
In addition to offering your body the hydration it needs after facing fever and discomfort, this ingredient provides essential nutrients such as vitamins A and C, which are fundamental for the proper functioning of the immune system, and nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron that strengthen our body. To achieve all these effects, it is essential that coconut water is natural; it is recommended to consume it in small sips throughout the day.
Chicken Soup
It is the food to recover par excellence, not by chance. The chicken soup is made with this bird and also with other ingredients high in nutrients such as carrots, celery, potatoes, or onion; it is pleasantly comforting for the body as well as promotes the recovery of the immune system. Its amount of water also contributes to hydration, so that we will be making the most of this dish.
To make it nutritious, it is recommended that the soup is cooked with all the ingredients for at least 1 hour.
Citrus juices
Another good option is to hydrate and nourish ourselves while we have Zika. Natural juices made with fruits such as orange, lemon, tangerine, kiwi, pineapple, or strawberries are highly recommended. They provide a good dose of vitamin C, essential for a strong and healthy immune system.
Remedies for conjunctivitis caused by Zika
Conjunctivitis is one of the symptoms of this condition because the virus inflames the conjunctiva causing the discomfort of this pathology. To reduce them, we can ally ourselves with some natural solutions such as:
Manzanilla
This plant is an excellent natural anti-inflammatory, helping to eliminate bacteria and viruses due to its antiseptic properties. To use it, you have to prepare an infusion of chamomile and wait for it to cool down, then dip a piece of clean cotton in the drink and clean your eyes. It is important not to wet the amount of cotton you have used again; use a new one to prevent the virus from coming into contact with the liquid.
Perform this cleaning 3 or 4 times a day.
Fennel infusion
This plant has various health properties, being especially useful to clean our eyes and help us fight conjunctivitis. This ingredient provides antibacterial properties, serves as eye drops, and reduces redness, itching, and discomfort, offering effective relief.
To use it, you must boil a cup of water with a tablespoon of fennel seeds, keep boiling for 10 minutes, turn it off, and rest for another 10 minutes. After straining and letting cool, you should wash your eyes with this mixture 3 or 4 times a day.
Cold compress
A cold compress is a perfect solution if you look for quick relief from eye inflammation caused by pink eye. Moisten a cotton ball or gauze in icy water and apply to the affected eye for 5 minutes, soaking again when it warms up. Apply 3-4 times a day for immediate relief.
Home remedies for skin rash
Among the home remedies for Zika, we cannot forget those that can help reduce the rashes and itching on the skin of this condition. Some reasonable solutions are:
Oatmeal baths
Oatmeal is a powerful moisturizer that is ideal for soothing irritated skin and reducing itching, as well as serving as an anti-inflammatory, which is why it is used in the natural treatment of shingles or conditions such as chickenpox.
To use it for this purpose, you need:
- 2 cups of rolled oats
- 1 liter of milk or water
Blend the oats in a mixer or blender and then hydrate the powder in the liter of water or milk for 15 minutes. After this time, take a bath and, finally, apply the oatmeal liquid to your skin with the help of a gauze or towel. Leave for 5 minutes and then rinse with water; you will notice how your skin is much more relieved. You can repeat this treatment 2 or 3 times a day.
Aloe vera
This is undoubtedly the skin plant due to its multiple healing properties. It is an excellent natural moisturizer that relieves irritation of the dermis, calms itching and discomfort, and improves its appearance, all thanks to its contribution of B vitamins, vitamin C, E, and various minerals and amino acids.
To use it, you have to cut an aloe leaf and extract its gel, which you should apply three times a day to your skin in the same way as you would with any lotion.
Basil poultice
Due to its content of camphor and thymol, this edible plant is ideal for reducing itching of the skin and being a perfect natural repellent since mosquitoes do not like its smell.
Using it is very simple; we just have to crush a few basil leaves and apply them to the most sensitive areas as a poultice.
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 Zika , 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.