Ringworm is also known as tinea. This is a fungal infection on the skin. It is a very common condition, and it is contagious.
Ringworm is caused by fungi that live on the top layer of the skin. They feed on the keratin in the skin [1]. These fungi thrive in warm and moist areas. When someone mentions ringworm, then it associates with a worm infestation, but you should know that the ring in the ringworm is the key.
This infection causes round and scaly patches which have a darker border in the shape of a ring. This condition can also be accompanied by inflammation, itching, and redness.
If you do not treat the ringworm, then it can cause your skin to blister. Also, this infection can affect your nails and scalp.
Ringworm is a highly contagious condition, so you should be sure that you are following adequate protective measures so you will not spread this fungal infection to other people. You should not share your towels, clothes, or other personal belongings while you have ringworm [2].
Talk with your doctor if you suffer from ringworm before you start using some of the below-mentioned natural cures for ringworm. Also, if you use some of the below-mentioned home remedies and you have noticed that your symptoms do not clear up or they do not respond to the treatment in a period of 2 weeks, then talk with your doctor.
13 Home remedies for ringworm
Contents
Vinegar and salt
Both natural cures, vinegar and salt, can be very effective for the natural treatment of ringworm. There are some studies that are proof that these natural cures can help to rid of ringworm and they can dry it out.
You should make a paste of white vinegar and salt. You should apply this home remedy to the affected area and let it stay there for about 5 minutes. You should do this natural treatment 2 or 3 times per day for a period of a week or until the ringworm goes away.
Aloe Vera
This natural cure for a long period has been used as a natural treatment for both fungal and bacterial infections, in which ringworm is also included. This natural cure can treat ringworm, and it can soothe the symptoms of discomfort, inflammation, and itchiness.
You can apply Aloe Vera gel or ointments with Aloe Vera directly to the affected area. You should do this natural treatment at least 3 times per day. [3]
Lemongrass
This home remedy can help to treat ringworm because it has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. Also, it will give you relief from the itching. When you are taking it internally, then it can help to flush out toxins from your body.
You should drink lemongrass tea, or you can drink a combination of chamomile tea and lemongrass 3 times per day.
Also, you can apply used lemongrass teabags, paste of lemongrass leaves, and buttermilk or lemongrass essential oil topically on the affected area. [4]
Tea tree oil
This is also a widely used natural cure for the treatment of ringworm because it has antiseptic and antifungal properties. You should put a few drops of tea tree oil on a cotton ball and then dab it on the affected area. You should do this natural treatment 2 or 3 times per day for a period of one week or so.
Also, you can dilute tea tree oil in an equal amount of water or carrier oil and then apply it to the affected area.
Also, lavender oil can be used as a natural treatment for ringworm. You should apply it topically to soothe the skin and eliminate the ringworm.
When you are applying tea tree oil on the affected skin, if you have sensitive skin, then you should mix it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil because these essential oils also have anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties which can help you to avoid irritating the skin. [5]
Licorice root
This natural cure has several fungicidal compounds which can help you to rid of the ringworm [6].
You should boil one cup of water mixed with 5 – 6 teaspoons of licorice root powder. You should let it simmer for twenty minutes. You should strain it and cool this home remedy. You should soak a cotton ball in this home remedy and then dab it on the affected area. You should do this natural treatment 3 times per day until you see improvement in your condition.
Iodine
It is a known fact that iodine tincture is a very effective home remedy for eliminating ringworm because it has antiseptic and antifungal properties. You can buy a 2% iodine solution from a drug store. You should not use it more than 3 times per day.
You should wash the affected area with antibacterial soap and then pat dry using a clean towel. You should soak a cotton ball or cotton swab in the iodine tincture. You should dab it on the affected area. You should do this home remedy 2 or 3 times per day for a period of 3 or 4 weeks.
Apple cider vinegar
This is one of the best home remedies for curing skin infections, such as ringworm, because it has astringent and antimicrobial properties.
You should dip a cotton swab in apple cider vinegar and then apply it to the affected area. You should do this natural treatment 2 or 3 times per day for a period of a few days or until you see improvements in your condition. The apple cider vinegar can cause a stinging sensation initially.
If you have sensitive skin, then if you want to use apple cider vinegar as your natural treatment, you need to mix it with some carrier oil such as coconut oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil because they can help to avoid irritating the skin. The mentioned carrier oils also have anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, which are beneficial for the treatment of ringworm. [7]
Neem
Neem is also known as Indian lilac. It has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, which can be used for the natural treatment of scabies, ringworm, and many skin infections.
You should apply neem oil on the affected area once per day for a period of a few days until the infection clears. Also, you can apply ½ teaspoon of neem oil mixed with one cup of Aloe Vera gel. You should combine equal amounts of sesame oil, turmeric powder, and crushed neem leaves. You should apply this home remedy to the affected area.
Garlic
This home remedy has excellent antifungal properties, which can help to cure ringworm.
You should crush 2 garlic cloves. You should rub them on the ringworm rash several times per day. You should do this natural treatment for 4 – 5 days or until your condition improves. This home remedy can cause a stinging sensation, so this is a reason why you should talk with your doctor before you start using it. [8]
Turmeric
In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric was used as a home remedy for many conditions because it has antifungal, antibiotic, and antiseptic properties. Also, it can facilitate the healing process, and it will soothe the skin.
You should extract the juice from grated and raw turmeric root. You should apply this home remedy to the ringworm rash 3 times per day until the infection clears.
Also, you can eat ½ cup of milk along with ¼ teaspoon of turmeric, and you should drink it. [9]
Papaya
The raw papaya can help to kill the fungi, which can cause ringworm because it has antifungal properties.
You should rub a slice of raw papaya on the affected area. You should let it stay there for at least fifteen minutes, and then you should rinse it off using warm water. You should do this natural treatment at least 2 times per day for a period of a few days. Also, you can apply fresh papaya leaf juice or a paste that is made of dried papaya seeds.
Coconut oil
This home remedy has antifungal and microbial properties, which can help you to rid of ringworm infections. This is a very effective topical home remedy for ringworm and other infections with fungi such as candida.
This home remedy is easy to apply to the scalp, and it is an effective hair conditioner which means that coconut oil can be the perfect home remedy for scalp ringworm. You can warm the coconut oil either in your hand or in the microwave until it becomes liquid. Then, you should apply it directly to the affected area.
Coconut oil will absorb into the skin very quickly. You should apply this home remedy at least 3 times per day. [10]
Oregano oil
This home remedy can be very effective for the treatment of ringworm because it has antifungal properties [11]. It can inhibit and treat fungal skin infections such as ringworm and Athlete’s foot.
You can buy oregano oil from online stores or some health stores in your local area. You should mix a few drops of oregano oil with some carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil, and you should apply it to the affected area 3 times per day.
References:
[1] Ozaslan M. Herbal remedies: A good source of treatment against fungal skin infections. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences. 2011;14(23):1072-73.
[2] Dele Davies H, Jackson MA, Rice SG, et al. Infectious diseases associated with organized sports and outbreak control. Pediatrics. 2017;140(4).
[3] Chuku E, Azonwu O, Ugbomeh AP. Control of tinea (ringworm) using aloe vera gel in river state. Acta Agronomica Nigeriana. 2006;7(1):1-5.
[4] Tzotzakis NG, Economakis CD. Antifungal activity of lemongrass (Cympopogon citratus L.) essential oil against key postharvest pathogens. Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies. 2007;8(2):253-258.
[5] Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: A review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2006;19(1):50-62.
[6] Wang L, Yang R, Yuan B, et al. The antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice, a widely-used Chinese herb. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B. 2015;5(4):310-315.
[7] Mota AC, de Castro RD, de Araújo Oliveira, de Oliveira Lima. Antifungal activity of apple cider vinegar on candida species involved in denture stomatitis. Journal of Prosthodontics. 2015;24(4):296-302.
[8] Bayan L, Koulivand PH, Gorji A. Garlic: a review of potential therapeutic effects. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. 2014;4(1):1-14.
[9] Moghadamtousi SF, Kadir HA, Hassandarvish P, et al. A review on antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity of curcumin. BioMed Research International. 2014;2014:186864.
[10] Elmore LK. Nance G, Singleton S, Lorenz L. Treatment of dermal infections with topical coconut oil: A review of efficacy and safety of Cocos nucifera L. in treating skin infections. Natural Medicine Journal. 2014;6(5).
[11] Rao A, Zhang Y, Muend S, Rao R. Mechanism of antifungal activity of terpenoid phenols resembles calcium stress and inhibition of the TOR pathway. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 2010;54(12):5062-9.
