Can CBD Oil Help with Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that makes the skin appear reddish and swollen. CBD boasts moisturising and hydrating properties that help treat cellulitis. This blog highlights the basics of cellulitis, how CBD oil helps with cellulitis, the side effects of using CBD oil and factors to considerbefore buying CBD oil for cellulitis.

CBD, is a chemical compound(cannabinoid) in the cannabis plant. It is non-psychoactive, unlike its famous counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is infused in various products, including but not limited to vapes, oils and tinctures. It possesses various qualities such as anti-inflammatory, antifungal and anti-bacterial. The skin plays a significant role in protecting the body from toxic bacteria and viruses. Cellulitis is a skin infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a harmful bacterium. If left untreated, cellulitis can be life-threatening. Hence, it is important to seek immediate treatment once you experience it. Natural remedies such as CBD oil have been proven to be one of the most effective treatments to tackle cellulitis.

Basics of Cellulitis

Santer et al. (2018)noted that cellulitis is a bacterial skin infectionthat makes the skin appear reddish and swollen. As a result, one experiences pain during contact. It mostly affects the leg but could be experiencedin any body part. It may also affect the underlying tissue and rarely enters the bloodstream. In this case, it reaches the lymph nodes. Individuals with underlying medical conditions such as HIV are more prone to this infection.

The major cause of cellulitis is when a harmful bacterium enters the skin through a cut or punctured wound. In rare cases, it may be caused by something as small as an insect bite. There are various types of cellulitis, such as:

• Periorbital-Periorbital cellulitis is experienced around the eye skin because of an injury
• Facial –Facial cellulitis manifests itself in any part of the face. It is characterised by swelling or redness.
• Breast- Individuals with breast cancer are more prone to breast cellulitis.

Sharif et al. (2020) suggested that some common symptoms of cellulitis include:

• Fluid-filled blisters
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Chills
• Red streaks
• Swollen lymph node

How CBD Oil Helps with Cellulitis

Since cellulitis is a skin condition, topical CBD oil is an effective treatment. Consuming cannabidiol oil orally may help tackle cellulitis once the infection gets deeper. CBD oil attacks the root problem. As a result of tackling cellulitis.

CBD oil is a well-known natural remedy used to tackle multiple health ailments. It is well tolerated by most individuals hence rarely causing any side effects.

Below are ways how CBD oil tackles cellulitis:

Alleviating Inflammation and Pain

One of the major symptoms of cellulitis is inflammation and pain. Blanton et al. (2022) suggested that when applied topically, CBD oil helps address inflammation and pain since it is a potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent. It also minimises cytokine release in the body, reducing pain experienced by the patient. Additionally, it attaches to the endocannabinoid receptor in the skin, specifically CB2, resulting in less pain. CBD oil provides instant relief when applied to the skin.

Tackles Infections

CBD possesses anti-bacterial qualities rendering it an effective treatment against cellulitis. Unlike other antibiotic medications, CBD does not cause antibiotic resistance. Lelario et al. (2018) noted that besides being an organic antibiotic, CBD is also a powerful antimicrobial, treating inflammation caused by cellulitis bacteria.

Tackles Anxiety and Sleeping Conditions

Like any other chronic infection, dealing with cellulitis symptoms like pain and burning may result in anxiety. Luckily, CBD has been proven to be an effective treatment towardsthese conditions. CBD oil improves sleep quality and quantity by dealing with anxiety and pain.

Are There Any Side Effects of Using CBD Oil?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) statedthat almost individuals tolerate CBD oil well. As a result, it rarely causes any adverse results. However, when taken in unimaginably high amounts, it causes minor side effects such as fatigue and sluggishness. Most individuals use CBD oil to tackle insomnia due to its sedative effects. In such cases, it is best to take CBD oil thirty minutes before bedtime to avoid unwanted sluggishness.

When used orally for cellulitis, it may cause side effects such as diarrhoea and dry mouth when taken in high amounts. On the other hand, when applied topically for cellulitis, it may cause skin reaction making the skin swollen or reddish.

Factors to Consider Before Buying CBD Oil for Cellulitis

Since the CBD market is highly unregulated, many brands producefake and low-quality products. So, there are various factors to keep in mind before buying CBD oil:

Type of CBD Oil

CBD oil is available in three formulations; full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate. The full spectrum CBD oil features all compounds in the cannabis plant, such as terpenes, flavonoids and cannabinol. It also has insignificant amounts of THC, not exceeding 0.2 per cent. It is considered to be the most effective due to the entourage effect. It is a process whereby other cannabinoids work with CBD to enhance its therapeutic benefits. Broad-spectrum CBD oil has other compounds except for THC. It is an excellentchoice for users who want the effects of other compounds except for THC. CBD isolate contains CBD only. It is preferred by users who want the benefits of CBD only. It is best to use either full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil to treat cellulitis since they are potent.

CBD Source

Before buying any CBD product, it is best to ensure that it's derived from hemp and not the marijuana plant. The reason is that the hemp plant is rich in CBD and low in THC, while the marijuana plant is vice versa. Additionally, ensure that it is cultivated organically and locally. The reason is that hemp absorbs everything good and bad in the soil. So, organically grown hemp poses a lesser risk.

Extraction Method

There are numerous extraction techniques utilised in producing CBD oil. However, the most preferred one is carbon dioxide. This is because it offers a cleaner and safer product.

Other factors to consider include the following:

• Ingredients used
• The potency of the product
• The brand’s reputation

Conclusion

CBD oil is a popular natural treatment for various medical ailments, including cellulitis. Cellulitis is a skin condition normally caused by bacteria. It is characterised by swollen and red skin. Its symptoms include; pain and inflammation. To tackle cellulitis, CBD oil is used either topically or orally. CBD possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-bacterial properties that tackle cellulitis symptoms. For the best result, it is best to apply CBD oil topically.

Regarding dosage, it is best to begin with, a small amount of CBD oil. When applying topically, it is vital to perform a patch test. Before using CBD oil for cellulitis, it is best to talk to a health practitioner.

References

Blanton, H., Yin, L., Duong, J., &Benamar, K. (2022). Cannabidiol and Beta-Caryophyllene in Combination: A Therapeutic Functional Interaction. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(24), 15470.

Lelario, F., Scrano, L., De Franchi, S., Bonomo, M. G., Salzano, G., Milan, S., ... & Bufo, S. A. (2018). Identification and antimicrobial activity of most representative secondary metabolites from different plant species. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture, 5(1), 1-12.

Santer, M., Lalonde, A., Francis, N. A., Smart, P., Hooper, J., Teasdale, E., ... & Thomas, K. S. (2018). Management of cellulitis: current practice and research questions. The British Journal of General Practice, 68(677), 595.

Sharif, S., Haider, L., Freeman, L., & McFarlane, I. M. (2020). Primary erythromelalgia complicated by cellulitis: a case report and review of literature. American journal of medical case reports, 8(6), 153.