Friday 25 March, 2016.
Ringworm home remedies, ringworm cure using natural treatments, ringworm symptoms, what does ringworm look like.
‘Ringworm’ is a generic term used to describe many species of fungi which cause diseases of the outer layer of the skin.
What Is Ringworm
Even though you might feel mortified to know that you or your family has ringworm, it is a common superficial skin infection, also known as tinea. The name ‘ringworm’ comes from the ring shape that appears on the skin which is formed as the disease spreads outwards in a circular shape. There are several types of ringworm that can affect different parts of the body, the most common being on the skin of the body (tinea corporis), the scalp (tinea capitis), the feet (tinea pedis, or “athlete’s foot”), or the groin (tinea cruris, or “jock itch”).
What Does Ringworm Look Like
Ringworm looks like a round red ring of small blisters or a red ring of scaly skin that grows outward as the infection spreads. The outer ring marks the active area of the disease, while the center heals as the disease spreads outwards.
If it appears on the scalp, it can cause temporary patches of baldness. Children are especially susceptible to catching ringworm, but it can affect adults as well.
Is Ringworm Contagious?
Ringworm is very infectious and can be caught from people and domestic animals. For this reason, prevention of ringworm using some basic ringworm home remedies is better than trying to cure an infection.
How Do You Get Ringworm
Ringworm is contagious. Because ringworm is a fungus that likes to grow in damp, warm conditions, it grow well in places such as locker rooms and swimming pools, and in the folds of skin. You can get ringworm when you have skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal (although catching ringworm from your pet is very uncommon). It also spreads when you share things like towels, clothing, or sports gear.
Ringworm Home Remedies
There are several ringworm home remedies for ringworm on the body and face.
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- Essential Oils My best ringworm home remedies include using essential oils. Tea Tree oil is the best to use. Other oils used to treat ringworm are Lavender, Thyme linalol, Geranium, Myrrh and Peppermint. Put a drop of tea tree oil on the affected area 3 X a day until it is clear. If it itches, mix a few drops of the essential oil with a mild oil like coconut or olive oil and apply.
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- Garlic is a very effective treatment for ringworm. Mash 1-2 cloves of garlic and apply them to the ringworm with a plaster. Do this twice a day and the ringworm should clear within a week.
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- Sea salt can be used to treat ringworm. The salt will dry up the ringworm patches. Wet the infected parts and apply the salt directly on the skin. Leave for 30 minutes and then rinse. Reapply on and off during the day when you have the chance. The skin may tingle.
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- Most ringworm home remedies consist of applying treatment to the infected spot. Apply iodine to the patch. The ringworm should clear in a few days. Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) is also very good for treating ringworm. Rub the extract on the patches, and cover with a band-aid. The skin may burn a little but no harm will be done. If ringworm occurs from time to time, rub some vinegar onto the skin. Use apple cider vinegar soaked in a cloth or paper towel and apply for 15 minutes a day.
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- I have heard of people using the juice of fig leaf for treating ringworm. Break off a leaf and rub the white juice on the ringworm patch and surrounding area. Repeat this until it is clear.
Ringworm treatments in the form of antifungal creams are very effective. The creams usually recommended are
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- Lotrimin AF Antifungal Cream for Athlete’s Foot
containing clotrimazole.
- Lotrimin AF Antifungal Cream for Athlete’s Foot
If you cannot treat the ringworm topically, or if it is severe or resistant, oral medications such as terbinafine, itraconazole (Sporanox), and fluconazole (Diflucan) might be necessary.
Preventing ringworm is a much better idea!
Ringworm Prevention Tips
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- Take your pet to the vet if you notice bald patches; this could be a sign of a fungal infection.
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- Always keep your skin clean and dry. Dry yourself completely after showering or bathing. Dry your feet last to prevent spreading any fungus to the rest of your body. Better still, keep a separate small towel for drying your feet.
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- Change your socks and underwear at least once a day. Fungi do not grow in a dry clean environment.
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- If you do have a fungal foot infection like athlete’s foot, put your socks on first before your underwear. This will prevent fungi spreading from your feet to your groin.
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- Do not share clothing, sports gear, towels, or sheets. If you think you may have had contact with ringworm, wash your clothes in hot water with special anti-fungus soap.
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- Wear something on your feet like rubber sandals in locker rooms and public bathing areas.
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- Shower and shampoo well after any sport that includes skin-to-skin contact.
If you or someone in your family has ringworm symptoms, it is important to treat it right away so that it doesn’t spread to other family members.
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