Home remedies for ringworm in humans, dogs and cats. It is a common fungal infection that affects humans,pets and cattle. Ringworm causes severe itching. If it occurs on the scalp, it can cause hair loss as well. Most important thing is to act promptly and try to reduce the infection quickly. Otherwise, ringworm may become worse and it may take around a month to get over it.
Ringworm is not caused by a worm, but by a fungus. It is pretty common in humans, cats and dogs. Ringworm is a characteristic infection. It can be easily identified at home using its features.
A ringworm is a ring like infection. Skin at the ring is red, inflamed, swollen and itchy. It is crusty and very itchy. This ring has definite and often sharp boundaries. As you move inside the ring, the infection diminishes. There may be clear skin in middle, but not always. It is very itchy and troublesome.
Ringworm is contagious and it quickly spreads from person to person. It can also spread from one part of your body to another. So, if it is on the leg and spreads to groin, then it will cause jock itch there.
( Photo Courtesy: arascats )
One can use these simple home remedies for ringworm in humans - kids and adults ( not babies ).
1. Anti-fungal soap
Use an anti-fungal soap to prevent infection from spreading while you shower or bath. Ringworm can spread quickly to different parts of the skin. This is really simple but important as it helps spreading the infection. Ringworm are nasty fungus. They really love to stay on our skin, and quite stubborn. A single ringworm can quickly turn into many ringworm. So, anti-fungal soap is the way to go.
There are numerous chemicals which are antifungal. But if you prefer to stay away from medication, there are many herbal anti-fungal soaps.
This daily bath prevents ringworm from reaching groin, face or scalp.
Not only for prevention purpose, this soap can cure a ringworm in 1 - 2 weeks.
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2. Give it lots of air
Completely dry the skin around the ringworm and give it natural air. This helps in relieving the ringworm and
reduce itching. Moist environment is best conducive for fungus that causes ringworm. The fungus that causes ringworm requires warmth and moisture in its environment to thrive.
There are many ways to drive air towards skin.
- Natural air is great for skin. It also has healing properties.
- Use a hair dryer at its cool mode to drive cool air.
How long to take air ?
Well, it takes about half an hour to dry the skin enough to hurt the fungus. Doing this treatment everyday prevents further growth of ringworm. And it relieves itching brilliantly.
After giving your skin "air", apply some talc. It absorbs sweat and keeps skin dry.
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3. Ringworm Talc
This is a homemade talc recipe which becomes more potent at treating a ringworm. It contains regular talc powder and some herbal ingredients to act as anti-fungal.
- IngredientsTalcum powder
Garlic cloves
Neem powder ( if you are able to get it )
- Directions / How to useFor each use, take out some talc. Crush 2 garlic cloves and dry them in sun. When they are devoid of moisture, add them to talcum powder. Add 1 tablespoon of neem powder. Mix this well. Apply this talc on ringworm. It should diminish the ringworm.
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4. Garlic
Take a garlic clove. Cut it from the middle and expose its internal skin. Rub it gently on the ringworm. This can provide quick relief.
NOTE : Do not apply garlic in groin area. It hurts a lot and can be dangerous to sensitive skin of that region.
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5. Honey and Cinnamon Paste
This combination is a nice home remedy for ringworm. It is cooling and soothing. Its only drawback is that it feels a little sticky, so you need to keep the skin exposed.
- IngredientsHoney ( the raw, unfiltered organic honey is more potent )
Cinnamon ( finely ground )
- Directions / How to useAdd equal parts of honey to cinnamon powder in a small container. Apply this on your ringworm using a plastic knife and dispose off the knife. Keep it for 6 - 8 hours and then wash it off and apply again.
- Why it works ?Honey and cinnamon have mild anti-fungal activity.
6. Coconut Oil ( Extra Virgin )
One can treat fungal infections just by applying coconut oil on it. This oil is one of the best natural fungus killers on Earth. I suggest using extra virgin coconut oil because it is more potent than regular coconut oil.
Apply this oil on ringworm 6 - 8 times a day. Keep the skin exposed to air. Coconut oil is well absorbed into skin so you do not feel oiliness in that area.
Why it works ?
Coconut oil contains a fatty acid called caprylic acid. This is the main anti-fungal in coconut. You can also use grated coconut, coconut meat or coconut water, but nothing is as effective as coconut oil.
It can clear up a ringworm in a week.
7. Tea tree oil
In many skin conditions, tea tree oil comes out to be a champion home remedy. It works against ringworm too. Use it regularly on the affected skin area. Another advantage of tea tree oil is that it can be applied to the scalp by mixing it in the regular shampoo that one use. So, it can relieve ringworm on the scalp too.
- IngredientsTea Tree essential oil
Coconut Oil ( As Base )
- Directions / How to useAdd 4 -5 drops of tea tree oil in about 250 ml of coconut oil. Stir it. Apply this oil on ringworm using cotton ball and throw away the cotton ball. Do this treatment 6 - 8 times a day. It should kill the ringworm fungus on the spot and start providing relief straightaway.
- Why it works ?Combining tea tree oil with coconut oil makes it even more potent for fighting the ringworm. Tea tree oil stings a bit, but that should not sting too much. If it does, then you have probably added more tea tree oil to the solution and it needs to be diluted.
8. Papaya seeds
Get some seeds of a raw papaya. Soak the seeds in water. After few hours, take them out. Crush these seeds and apply the paste on the ringworm. One can also apply raw papaya or its leaves, but seeds seem to work best.
Keep the paste of papaya seeds for 1 - 2 hours before washing it off. If you see improvement, apply again.
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9. Tincture Iodine
Iodine is a master antiseptic. It also has antibiotic properties. You can get a tincture iodine easily at chemist shop if you don't have it.
Apply this liquid solution on ringworm using a cotton ball and throw away the cotton ball. Do this 4 times a day. Tincture iodine should not be applied on sensitive skin areas, like groin region and scalp.
10. Turmeric Paste
If you have tried home remedies for ringworm and it is not responding well, seems it is time to unravel the master remedy. Turmeric is powerful and intensely active against any skin infection. It is a wonderful healer as well, so you hardly get scars.
- IngredientsTurmeric paste ( If you have turmeric roots, preparing this powder at home is better and more potent. You can powder it in a blender )
- Directions / How to useTake a sufficient amount of turmeric for each ringworm. Add just a little water. Mix it in a bowl with a small tool. Add a little more water and keep doing this till the turmeric forms a semi-solid paste. Apply this on each ringworm in a thick paste after it has been cleaned and dried.
- Why it works ?Turmeric reduces inflammation and promotes body to kill the fungus. It should reduce the ringworm by about 50 % in a single night and completely heal it in 3 - 7 days.
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11. Vinegar And Salt
This is a popular remedy for ringworm. Take any vinegar ( white, apple cider vinegar ) and add salt to it. Apply it on the ringworm . It would sting a bit but itching would be relieved.
12.
Lemongrass tea bags
Lemongrass is a herb which is commonly used to flavor tea. Take a teabag and use it to make tea. Then, instead of disposing it off, use it on the affected skin. It acts as an anti fungal to the ringworm fungus.
Do this treatment about 4 - 6 times a day. After you have applied the tea bag for about 10 minutes, removes it off and throw it away. Dry the skin with a hair dryer or fan.
( Photo Courtesy: ingamun )
13.
Sulfur containing soap
Natural sulfur compounds are used to heal and repair the skin. Sulfur is an ingredient in some soaps meant to treat skin disease. These soaps can be used by a person suffering from ringworm. So, invest your time and money in a good sulfur containing soap and use it on the ringworm.
14. Plain Lemon Juice
Just apply lemon juice on ringworm using cotton ball. It stings a lot but can really with itching and heal the skin. Lemon has highly acidic pH which is not conducive to the pathogen.
Herbal remedies for ringworm treatment at home :
You can use these natural products for ringworm , but exercise caution as they can be harmful if used inappropriately.
- Lavender oil : This essential oil has some anti-fungal properties. Put a few drops of the fragrant lavender oil in olive oil. Then, shake it well and apply daily on the ringworm.
- Fig leaves : The leaves of the fig tree release a milk like sap. Rub this milk on the ringworm.
- Neem oil : This is the oil from neem tree. It is a potent insecticide and antibiotic. It can be applied directly to skin.
- Olive leaf tea : Applying tea made from olive leaves can help in healing a ringworm.
- Oregano Oil : This essential oil is strongly anti-fungal. Mix it in a base oil, like coconut oil and apply a few drops on a ringworm. It stings but kills the fungus.
- Licorice Root Tea : Make a strong tea using licorice root. Apply it on ringworm using cotton balls. Licorice contains many fungus annihilating substances.
Some chemical based treatments :
Some common chemicals may be helpful in ringworm home treatment, but one needs to exercise his or her own jurisdiction whether or not to use them . These are not safe for babies or kids.
- Bleach : Household bleach is a strong oxidant and it kills infections. But it has a risk of causing chemical burns on skin.
- Peroxide : Hydrogen peroxide is also commonly used for disinfecting purposes but it is also harmful.
- Zinc oxide : This is a white powder which is a chief ingredient of most sunscreens. It can be used as a dusting powder for ringworm. Zinc oxide has been valued for centuries in India for its medicinal properties.
Ringworm can be reduced using these home remedies. Besides this, one has to be cautious. Wash the clothes that you wear on the affected skin quickly. Wear more airy clothes to prevent moisture.
Home remedies for ringworm on cats and dogs :
- Lavender oil can be used for cats and dogs. It is anti-fungal and pets do not dislike it. They feel much better once they get relief from the itching. It is important to relieve their itching quickly otherwise the infection may spread.
- Lemongrass : Cats and dogs love lemongrass. A lemongrass tea can be applied to their skin to soothe the itching of ringworm.
- Apple Cider Vinegar spray : You can add some ACV to water and spray it on their skin.
Limitations Of Home Based Treatment Of Ringworm
Although the home remedies are powerful, they may not be enough to vanish ringworm. So, I suggest you give home remedies a fixed period of time and see if they improve the situation. This could be 1 - 2 weeks. But, honestly not more than that.
If home remedies do not provide any relief in 2 weeks, hurry to a doctor ( dermatologist ). This is a very stubborn infection and it gets worse with time.
Ringworm on groin, neck, face, scalp should be diagnosed by a doctor. Other areas like back, leg, arms etc can be treated at home. If ringworm infects the scalp, one should act very quickly. A good idea would be to shave the head to expose scalp. This way treatment work effectively and you don't risk losing hair.
For ringworm in babies, one can apply coconut oil. Do not apply honey or any herbal thing, because it may harm the baby. Better option would be to use ringworm ointment suitable for babies given by a pediatrician.
