23 Beneficial Home Remedies for Ringworm

What is Ringworm?

It is a fungal infection that mostly occurs in the form of red circular patches on the skin. Though, ringworms are not dangerous, but it can be really irritating as they are itchy in nature. It is highly contagious and takes time to get healed up. Ringworms usually occur on the scalp, feet, legs, hands, and nails or places where we normally sweat. Commonly it is known as ‘tinea’, and in medical terms, it is called as ‘dermatophytosis’. Ringworm may occur to both- children of more than 2 years of age and adults. There are many homemade treatments for ringworm in people that can be applied to cure this problem, but, before this, let’s see what are its causes and symptoms.

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Causes

Ringworm may be caused due to several reasons, like:

• Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. You can even get an infection if any part of your body is already infected.
• It also spreads through animals. Pets, like cats, dogs, horses, goats and pigs are the carriers of the fungus, through which the infection spreads.
• Sometimes, infection can also spread through contaminated soil. Due to lack of proper nutrients in the soil, the fungus multiplies, thus leading to an infection.
• Ringworm also spreads through public pools and showers.

Symptoms

Ringworms are round-shaped red patches on the skin. There could be several patches or even a single patch on the skin. Ringworms that occur on the scalp are known as ‘tinea capitis’. Its symptoms are as follows:

• Itching
• Loss of hair in patches
• Scaling
• Crusting
• Sores filled with pus
• When the condition is severe, it may develop a large portion of pus called, keroin. It may result in fever and swelling of lymph nodes.

The symptoms of body ringworm are:

• Red circular rashes
• Irritation and itchiness
• In case of severe ringworm, the ring may grow bigger or multiple rings can develop around it. Sometimes, pus is also formed around the ringworm.

Home Remedies for Ringworm

How to get rid of ringworm fast at home? Well, you can heal the problem with the ingredients, available in your kitchen. Some of the home remedies to cure ringworm are:

1. Tea Tree Oil

This is one of the best herbal remedies for ringworm. Dilute tree tea oil by adding an equal amount of water to it. Apply this solution two times in a day. The ringworm will completely subside in a few weeks. Tea tree oil is an excellent anti-fungal and anti-bacterial and largely used to treat minor cuts and bruises, infections and burns.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and gently pat it on the ringworm. Repeat this for 3-5 times every day for at least three days.

3. Garlic

Garlic is one of the best ringworm treatments. Crush 2-3 cloves of garlic and place it on the affected area, covering it with a bandage. Keep it for one whole night or one full day. Its antiseptic properties will kill the ringworms.

4. Salt and Vinegar

Mix some salt in vinegar and apply this mixture on the ringworm. Leave it for 5 minutes and then, wash it. It will take at least a week to remove the ringworm from the skin with this remedy.

5. Raw Papaya

Raw papaya is a good ringworm treatment for humans. Cut a slice of raw papaya and rub it on the ringworm. This is one of the best ringworm cures as papaya contains enzymes that quickly heal the infection.

6. Turmeric

Apply fresh turmeric juice on the ringworm affected area. You can also make a paste by mixing turmeric and water. Turmeric is a good antibiotic and is a good home remedy for ringworm in children.

7. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is an effective remedy to treat various skin problems, and similarly, it helps in healing ringworm too. Just apply fresh aloe vera gel on the area, affected with ringworm. Regular use will naturally remove the ringworm in a few days.

8. Lemongrass Tea

Drink lemongrass tea at least thrice a day. It greatly helps to heal the ringworm. You can also apply the used teabags on the area, affected with ringworm.

9. Lavender Oil

Apply lavender oil on the infected area. It has antifungal properties that quickly heal the ringworm. It is a good home remedy for ringworm on body.

10. Mustard Seeds

Grind some mustard seeds and mix it in a little water to make a paste. Now, apply it regularly on the ringworm, until it heals completely.

11. Colloidal Silver

It is a good antibiotic and gives quick relief from ringworm infection. Apply topically either a gel or spray of colloidal silver on the ringworm at least 2 times a day, until it completely vanishes.

12. Goldenseal

Prepare tea of goldenseal herb and apply it on the affected area, using a cotton ball. You can also pour 4-5 drops of tincture in your juice, and sip it thrice a day. Goldenseal has anti-fungal properties and gives relief from the problem of the ringworms.

13. Myrrh

Make a paste by mixing equal amounts of myrrh and goldenseal powder in some water, and apply it on the ringworm. Myrrh is a good anti-fungal agent.

14. Holy Basil Leaves

Crush some holy basil leaves and apply its juice on the affected skin at least 2-3 times per day, till the ringworm is totally healed.

15. Olive Leaf

Olive leaf extract has good anti-fungal properties and helps in boosting up the immune system. Take 250 mg of olive leaf extract at least thrice a day.

16. Licorice

Boil 6 teaspoons of licorice root powder in a cup of water for about 20 minutes. Strain it and let it cool for some time. Apply the solution to the area, affected with ringworm, at least thrice in a day. Licorice has around 25 fungicidal substances and effectively removes the ringworm.

17. Ginger Tea

Boil 2 ounces of fresh ginger root in 8 ounces of water and apply the tea using cotton, at least 3 times a day. You can also drink it thrice a day. Ginger contains about 20 anti-fungal compounds, and therefore, kills ringworm infections.

18. Calendula

Apply calendula cream on the ringworm. Repeat this at least 2-3 times a day in order to get permanent relief.

19. Vegetable Juice

Combine 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice. Drink it daily. It will help in healing the infection from within.

20. Chamomile Tea

Apply chamomile tea on the ringworm infected area. This helps to remove the infection in a few days.

21. Honey

Mix honey with beeswax and olive oil. This mixture is the best cure for ringworm on the body.

22. Nail Polish Remover

Soak a cotton swab in nail polish remover. Then, put it on the ringworm patch for at least 5-8 minutes. Though, this remedy sounds odd, but in actual, it’s a good remedy.

23. Try Over-the-counter Products

There are many over-the-counter cures available in the market, such as Selsun Blue shampoo, which you can use for ringworm treatment. Selsun Blue shampoo can be applied topically to treat ringworms. It contains aloe vera extract and other moisturising agents that help in curing ringworms. Other over-the-counter treatments can also be used for ringworm treatment for adults, such as Ketoconazole, Mycelex, Miconazole, and Lotrimin.

Another over-the-counter treatment for ringworm is Blue Star ointment. You just need to apply a thin layer of this cream over the area, affected with ringworm. Apply this daily for at least 2-3 times a day. This is one of the best ringworm treatments as it gives a quick relief in just 3 days. However, it is recommended that it must be applied continuously for a week in order to prevent the infection from getting back again.

Note- For children and adults, who have sensitive skin, the cream should be diluted by mixing one part of petroleum jelly into it.

Homeopathic Remedies for Ringworm

A homeopathic combo of Tellurium Metallicum and Sepia is available in the market for treating ringworm. It gives relief from the symptoms, associated with ringworm. Directions to use and warnings are provided on the package.

Other effective homeopathic treatments for ringworm are Rhus Toxicodendron, Calcaria Carb, Apis Mel, Bacillinum, etc.

Preventive Measures

You can prevent ringworms from surfacing by following the below given preventive measures:

• Avoid getting into contact with people and pets, who are suffering from ringworm.
• Take a bath every day as this helps in removing germs and bacteria from the body.
• If you are prone to skin infections, avoid using public swimming pools.
• Wash your bedding and clothes regularly in order to prevent any sort of infection.
• Don’t don tight fitting clothes on the affected area.
• Wear cotton clothes.
• Avoid sharing personal items, like razors, towel, combs, etc. with the infected person.

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