How to get rid of Ringworm [Home Remedies & Treatments]

Ringworm is not caused by the worm or any other living thing, instead, it is caused by the fungus called ‘Tinea’. This fungus lives on dead skin cells of hair and nails. Ringworm causes scaly, red, and itchy patches on the skin. Moreover, it forms in ring or circle shape, that’s where the name ringworm came from.

Ringworms mostly infect your skin and nails. Most probably, it forms in the scalp and arms, but you may also get infected anywhere on the skin including the face. The name of the ringworm differs based on the affected area. For example, if the ringworm affects the toes, it is called an athlete’s foot, if it is formed in the groin area, it is called a jock itch.

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Ringworm makes anyone uncomfortable, still, it is treatable. There are a lot of home treatments that can repel and retreat ringworms.

Home Remedies To Get Rid of Ringworm

There are different home remedies available to treat ringworm. Here we provided the most natural remedies for ringworm.

Garlic:

Garlic is an effective home remedy to treat any skin infections. Anyhow, there is no other scientific proof for the effect of garlic on ringworm. But it proves their effect against fungi such as Torulopsis, Candida, Cryptococcus, and Trichophyton.

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You can use the crushed garlic paste with coconut oil or olive oil. Apply a thin layer of this paste on the affected area and cover it with gauze. Leave it for 2 hours and wash it off. Repeat this process twice a day until the symptoms are reduced.

If the garlic paste causes any swelling, stinging, and redness on your skin, you have to immediately rinse off and stop using it on your skin until your doctor suggests.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

Apple cider vinegar has a rich amount of antifungal properties, so it effectively fights against candida and other fungal infections.

To treat the ringworm by using the apple cider vinegar, simply soak the cotton cloth on the apple cider vinegar and clean the affected area with it gently. Repeat this process thrice a day for a better result.

Soap Water:

If you have ringworm on your skin, you have to maintain the affected area as clean as possible. It prevents the spreading of infections to the other part of the body. Wash the infected area with warm water and antibacterial soap every day before using a home remedy. Allow the infected area to completely dry after washing because moisture tends to provoke fungus growth.

Before using any home remedies on the ringworm patches, you should make sure it does not cause any allergy or sensitivity by applying a small amount on the unaffected skin. Coal Tar soap and pine soap are traditional home remedies, but they may cause irritation to sensitive skin.

Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil has a good amount of certain fatty acids with microbial and antifungal properties. They help to treat ringworm infections by killing the fungal cells. Some researches prove that coconut oil is an easy home remedy for people who have mild to a moderate level skin infection. It is an effective solution for infections and ringworm caused by fungi like candida.

Simply apply the coconut oil to the skin thrice a day. Moreover, it is also very easy to apply on the scalp and works as an effective hair conditioner. Coconut oil is an ideal choice to treat scalp ringworm. Most people use it as a moisturizer to prevent ringworm on the skin.

Tea Tree Oil:

The Native of the tea tree oil is in Australia. The oil is a good source of antibacterial and antifungal properties that make it an excellent home remedy to treat fungal and bacterial infections on the skin.

Nowadays, tea tree oil is a popular remedy used for ringworm infection. You can directly apply the tea tree oil by using the cotton ball two or three times a day. People who have sensitive skin can use this tea tree oil combined with a carrier oil like coconut oil and then apply it on the skin for a better result.

Aloe Vera:

Research proves that aloe vera contains 6 antiseptic agents that give antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. Aloe Vera is used as a natural home remedy for fungal and bacterial infections, so it is used to treat ringworm.

The cooling properties of the aloe vera will help to soothe the symptoms of ringworms like inflammation, itchiness, and discomfort. You can buy the aloe vera ointment or directly apply the aloe vera gel on the affected area three to four times per day.

Grape Seed Extract:

Anecdotal evidence Recommended the grape seed extract for fungal infections. To use the grape seed extract on ringworm, you have to mix the 1 drop of grape seed extract with 1 tbsp of water. Apply this mixture to the infected area twice per day to get rid of fungal infection.

Turmeric:

Turmeric is a popular spice or herb with various health properties and benefits. It is considered a good source of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal ingredients that effectively fight against fungal infections. You can consume turmeric water or turmeric tea for internal health benefits.

For external use, you can make a paste by using a small amount of water or coconut oil with turmeric powder. Applying this paste to the infected area, allow it to dry, and wash it. It will give quick recovery from the infection. The turmeric will make a lighter yellow stain on the skin, but it will fade within a few days.

Oregano Oil:

Oregano oil is prepared by using wild oregano that contains 2 strong antifungal chemicals called carvacrol and thymol. Some researches prove that oregano oil will stop the growth of Candida Albicans fungus.

But you should use a mixture of oregano oil and carrier oil on the skin. Apply this mixture to the infected area three times per day. Most of the oregano oil in the market is prepared by using common oregano, not wild oregano, so you should be careful while choosing it.

Licorice Powder:

Licorice has strong anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties, so it is highly used in traditional Chinese medicine. The licorice powder or extract is also considered the best home remedy for ringworm.

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To get the best result, you have to mix 3 tbsp of licorice powder in a cup of water, boil the mixture, and then reduce the flame and simmer for 10 minutes. Once the liquid is cool, you get it in a paste form. Apply this paste on the ringworm, allow it to dry for 10 minutes, and then wash it. Doing this process twice per day will have a great effect on ringworm.

Lemongrass Oil:

Lemongrass oil will effectively reduce various fungal infections, so lemongrass is also used to treat ringworm. Mix the lemongrass oil with a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil and apply it on the skin twice per day by using a cotton ball. You can also use lemongrass tea for ringworm.

How To Treat Ringworm:

Apply Antifungal Solution:

Most ringworms can be cured by taking home remedies. Over-the-country antifungal medicines effectively kill fungus and improve healing. Some of the effective antifungal medicines are Clotrimazole, miconazole, and terbinafine. First, you have to clean the rashes and apply Antifungal paste on the affected area 2 to 3 times per day. You can buy antifungal medicines in the form of lotion, cream, and powder.

Let It Breathe:

Covering the ringworms to avoid the infection spreading may be logical. But, covering the ringworm locks the moisture and slows down the healing process. You have to wear comfortable and breathable cloth to speed up the healing process. Moreover, allowing the infection to breathe will help to avoid the infection from spreading to other people. You can wear long-sleeve, loose-fitting shirts and pants.

Clean Bedding Everyday:

Ringworms are highly contagious, so you should clean your bedding every day to quickly get relief from the infection. Fungal cells can easily transfer from your sheet to the comforter. If you sleep on the same sheet every day, it may take a long time to heal the infection, and also it may have the chance of spreading the infection to other parts of the body. Using detergent and hot water to clean the bedding and the infected cloth will speed up the healing process. Hot water can kill the fungal cells and adding bleach and borax with your regular detergent will be more effective.

Change Wet Socks and Underwears:

If the ringworm is infected in the groin and feet area, you should keep these places dry. If you sweat a lot during the day, you should bathe by using the antifungal cleansing bar and also reapply the antifungal lotion or powder. You have to make sure that the infected area is completely dry before wearing the socks and underwear.

Use Antifungal Shampoo:

Sometimes you may get a ringworm infection on the scalp. Severe itches, scalp boils, hair loss, and severe dandruff are the symptoms of scalp infection. If you have an infection on your scalp, you have to wash your hair by using an antifungal shampoo. These shampoos effectively kill the fungus and bacterias on the scalp. Anyhow, it is impossible to remove the scalp fungus without consuming any medicines.

When To See The Doctor:

If your infection is not cured for more than 2 weeks by using home remedies, then it is very important to see the doctor. Doctors may recommend using over-the-country medicine that contains terbinafine or clotrimazole. You have to apply for this medicine twice per day. In some severe cases, doctors may recommend strong antifungal medicines. The people who have a chance to spread their ringworm through their lifestyle or jobs like athletes and teachers should immediately see the doctor.

Final Words:

Ringworms are highly infective, so they can easily spread by skin-to-skin contact. you can also be infected by touching ringworm-infected people. It is better to keep your skin dry and clean to prevent ringworm. Avoid physical contact with people who have ringworm. But, in most cases, ringworms are cured within 2 weeks by using home remedies. Anyhow, not all home remedies are given good results in all cases of ringworm and it is very difficult to say the effective treatment. Children or people with sensitive skin should try some other remedies before using an essential oil, because it may irritate their skin. If the symptoms do not resolve within 2 weeks, then it is better to see the doctor for strong treatment.