Home Remedies For Ringworms – 10 Ways To Treat The Symptoms
Contrary to what its name suggests, ringworm is not a worm. It is a skin condition caused by a fungus called tinea. This fungus lives on the dead tissues of your skin, nails, and hair.
Ringworm causes your skin to develop circular, red, scaly, and itchy rashes. It affects the scalp, legs, toenails, and fingernails. People who share locker rooms or swimming pools or have pets stand a greater risk of contracting the infection. This infection is contagious and can easily spread from person to person. Hence, it is important to treat the rash(es) and keep the infection under control.
READ ALSO: How to Handle Different Communication Styles in Business
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Ringworms
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties. These may help in combating the infection-causing fungus and aid recovery from the infection.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
- Sterile cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Dilute a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar using some water.
- Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it to the affected area.
- Keep the cotton in place using a band-aid.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this about 3-4 times a day for a week.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil contains bioactive compounds that possess antifungal properties. It was found to be effective in treating tine pedis. Hence, it may also help in treating the symptoms of ringworm.
You Will Need
- A few drops of tea tree oil
- Sterile cotton pad
What You Have To Do
- Dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil like sweet almond oil or jojoba oil.
- Dab a cotton ball with the oil blend and apply it to the affected area.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this a few times during the day for 7-10 days.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has antifungal properties and can help in treating fungal infections like Candida. Its emollient properties may also soothe the irritation and itching that often accompanies ringworm.
You Will Need
Virgin coconut oil
What You Have To Do
Take some coconut oil on your fingertips and massage it gently over the affected area and leave it on.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this oil 3-4 times a day until it heals.
4. Garlic
Garlic is rich in bioactive compounds like allicin and can be used for treating ringworm. The compounds exhibit antifungal properties that can help soothe the infection and heal it.
You Will Need
3-4 cloves of garlic
What You Have To Do
- Crush the cloves of garlic and rub the paste over the infected area.
- Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this daily until the rash disappears.
5. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil exhibits antifungal activity. Hence, it can help in getting rid of the infection-causing fungi and treat the symptoms.
You Will Need
- 2-3 drops of oregano oil
- Carrier oil
What You Have To Do
- Dilute a few drops of oregano oil with a carrier oil.
- Apply this mixture to the affected area and leave it on.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this at least once a day until it is healed.
6. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil exhibits fungistatic effects. Its topical application may help treat the infection and soothe the affected area.
You Will Need
- 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Take a few drops of eucalyptus oil and dilute with the water.
- Dab the gauze in this solution and secure it on the affected area using a band-aid.
- Leave this on overnight.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat it every night until the affected area is healed.
7. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil has antifungal properties. Hence, it can prove to be an effective option to treat ringworm and stop it from spreading.
You Will Need
- 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil
- Carrier oil
What You Have To Do
- Take a few drops of lavender oil and dilute it with a carrier oil.
- Dab it on a cotton ball and apply it to the affected area.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this at least two times a day.
8. Neem Oil
The topical application of neem oil can help treat ringworm. Neem oil is enriched with phytochemicals that exhibit fungicidal properties.
You Will Need
A few drops of neem oil
What You Have To Do
Dab a few drops of neem oil on a cotton pad and apply it to the affected area.
How Often You Should Do This
You must apply this oil two times a day for about 7-10 days.
9. Turmeric
Turmeric exhibits antifungal activity against different strains of dermatophytes . This can help alleviate the symptoms of ringworm infection and also prevent further infection.
You Will Need
- ½ to 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- A few drops of water
What You Have To Do
- Mix turmeric powder with some water to make a thick paste.
- Apply this paste over the rash and leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Wash thoroughly with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply turmeric paste twice a day.
10. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is well known for its wound-healing and antifungal properties. This makes it the perfect natural remedy to eliminate ringworm infection and speed up recovery.
You Will Need
Aloe leaf extract
What You Have To Do
Extract the gel from the aloe vera leaf.
Apply it directly to the area with the ringworm infection and leave on.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 2-3 times a day.
These methods can help you manage and treat ringworm infection at home. However, if your condition persists or you experience pain, consult your doctor to uncover any underlying dermatological issues.
Source: stylecraze
