Ringworm is a very common fungal infection that is not, despite its name, caused by a worm. It is caused by the fungus Tinea, which is highly contagious. Anyone can get ringworm, although some people are more susceptible than others, such as those with compromised immunity and young children.
Symptoms of ringworm include a red, scaly, circular patch on the skin or nails. It usually affects the scalp and arms, but it can appear on any part of the body. Jockitch and athlete’s foot are common forms of ringworm. While many medications are available to treat this fungal infection, natural can also be effective.
Ringworm Treatment
What Are the Treatments for Ringworm?
The treatment you need for ringworm depends on where the infection is on your body and how serious it is. In many cases, your doctor may recommend a drug you can buy over the counter (OTC) at your local drugstore. Others need a prescription.
Over-the-Counter Treatments for RingwormIf the infection is on your skin – as in the case of athlete’s foot or jock itch – your doctor will likely suggest an OTC antifungal cream, lotion, or powder.
- Clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex)
- Miconazole (Aloe Vesta Antifungal, Azolen, Baza Antifungal, Carrington Antifungal, Critic Aid Clear,
- Crux Prescription Strength, DermaFungal, Desenex, Fungoid
- The tincture, Micaderm, Micatin, Micro-Guard, Mirabel, Mitrazol, Podactin, Remedy Antifungal, Secura
- Antifungal)
- Terbinafine (Lamisil)
- Ketoconazole (Xolegel)
In most cases, you’ll have to use the medicines on your skin for 2 to 4 weeks to make sure you kill the fungus that causes ringworm. It’ll also lower your chances of it coming back.
Prescription Treatments for Ringworm
If you have ringworm on your scalp or in many different places on your body, OTC treatments may not be enough. Your doctor will write you a prescription for an antifungal medication that you’ll have to take by mouth for 1 to 3 months.
Griseofulvin (Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG), Terbinafine, and Itraconazole are the oral medicines doctors prescribe most often for ringworm.
1. Terbinafine
If your doctor puts you on these tablets, you’ll have to take them once a day for 4 weeks. They work in most cases. Side effects usually are mild and don’t last long. They might include nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, and rashes. You won’t get a prescription for this if you have liver disease or lupus.
2. Griseofulvin
You’d have to take this for 8 to 10 weeks. It’s also available as a spray. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea, headache, and indigestion. Griseofulvin can cause birth defects, so you can’t take it if you’re pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Men should use condoms during sex for up to 6 months after stopping treatment. It also can cause birth control pills not to work. Use condoms or another form of contraception if you’re on it. And, you shouldn’t drive or drink alcohol while you’re taking it.
3. Itraconazole
This is prescribed in pill form for 7 or 15 days. It’s not for use in children, the elderly, or those with severe liver disease. While taking it, you may experience nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, or headache. See your doctor if you don’t see any improvement in your symptoms or infection after you’ve finished your treatment.
What Causes Ringworm?
Ringworm is not actually caused by a worm or some form of living parasite. It’s caused by a fungus called tinea, which lives on the dead tissues of the skin, including your nails and hair. Ringworm causes your skin to have a red and itchy patch. And with time it takes the form of a ring (or several rings).
Areas of the body that can be affected by ringworm include, toenails or fingernails (tinea unguium, also called onychomycosis), feet (tinea pedis, commonly called athlete’s foot), hands (tinea manuum), groin, inner thighs, or buttocks (tinea cruris, commonly called jock itch), scalp (tinea capitis), and beard (tinea barbae).
What are the home remedies for ringworm?
1. Soap and water
When you have ringworm, you need to keep the area as clean as possible. This helps prevent the further spread of the rash and helps keep the affected area under control.
Wash the affected area with water and antibacterial soap daily before applying other home remedies on top of it. Dry the area thoroughly after showering, as moisture makes it easier for the fungus to spread.
2. Garlic
Garlic is often used to treat the infection. Although there are no studies that examine the effects of garlic on ringworm, it has proven effective For other types of fungi, including Candida, Torulopsis, Trichophyton, and Cryptococcus.
To use garlic as a treatment, make a paste of crushed garlic cloves by blending the garlic with some olive or coconut oil. Apply a thin layer of paste to the affected skin and cover with gauze. Leave in place for up to 2 hours before rinsing. Repeat twice daily until symptoms resolve.
3. Aloe vera
Aloe vera contains six antiseptic agents that, according to research, exhibit antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Apply the gel from an aloe vera plant onto the ringworm patch three or four times daily. The gel also has cooling properties, so it may soothe itchy and swollen skin.
4. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has strong antifungal properties, so it may help treat ringworm when applied topically to the affected area. To use it, soak a cotton ball in undiluted apple cider vinegar and brush the cotton ball over your skin. Do this three times per day.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular spice with anti-inflammatory properties. A part of turmeric known as curcumin is believed to be responsible for the spice’s health benefits. Numerous studiesTrusted Source detail its extensive antimicrobial abilities.
Consume turmeric as a tea or add it to meals to reap its benefits. For topical applications, mix it with a small amount of water or coconut oil until it forms a paste and applies this to the skin. Leave it to dry before wiping off. Be aware that turmeric may stain lighter skin a yellow color, but this will fade within a few days.
6. Coconut Oil
There are both antifungal and microbial properties in coconut oil that can help cure ringworm infection. It’s an effective home remedy for ringworm and infections with other fungi. Coconut oil could be an ideal treatment for scalp ringworm as it’s easy to apply to the scalp and an effective hair conditioner.
Pro tip: To use it, warm the coconut oil until it becomes liquid, apply it directly to the infected area. It will easily absorb into the skin. Apply it at least thrice a day.
7. Lemongrass oil or tea
Lemongrass oil extract, and to a slightly lesser extent lemongrass tea, both have antifungal properties that can be helpful in treating fungal skin infections like ringworm.
To use lemongrass oil, mix a few drops of lemongrass oil with a carrier oil. Apply it directly to the skin twice per day. You can also apply a brewed tea bag directly to the ringworm.
8. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil may be a more powerful antifungal than other products that are available and can inhibit and treat fungal skin infections.Mix a few drops with a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil, and apply it to the infected area thrice a day.
9. Tea Tree Oil
Earlier tea tree oil was used as an antifungal and antibacterial, and even today it’s used for the same purposes. It can be very effective in treating fungal skin infections.
With a cotton ball, apply tea tree oil directly to the infected area twice or thrice a day. If you have sensitive skin, diluting tea tree oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, which has its own antifungal benefits, might be helpful.
10. Antifungal Shampoo
Sometimes, ringworm develops on the scalp. Symptoms of scalp infection may include patches of hair loss, severe dandruff, severe itching, and scalp boils. If you have ringworm on your scalp, wash your hair with a medicated antifungal shampoo.
Also read: How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Under The Eyes Permanently
When to see your doctor
You should see your doctor if your symptoms don’t clear up or don’t respond to treatment within two weeks. You should also go to the doctor if you’re in a position that could likely spread it to others, such as if you’re a teacher.
In some cases, ringworm won’t respond to home remedies or OTC treatments. Your doctor will write you a prescription for an antifungal topical ointment or an oral medication.
Also read: How To Remove Skin Tags Naturally