Best Home Remedies For Ringworm | Femina.in - Femina

As we gear up to burn it out this summer, it's time to stock up on all essentials to ward off sweat-related health issues. While perspiration is a natural and important phenomenon, it is absolutely annoying, especially when it can bring along issues like ringworms, skin rashes, and others; not to forget the itching.

If your skin is prone to ringworms, you know how tough it can be. The best way is, of course, prevention. By wearing loose clothes, keeping your skin clean and also hydrated as some of the ways to get rid of this skin condition.

1. What Is Ringworm
2. What Causes Ringworm?
3. Home Remedies To Treat Ringworms
4. FAQs On Ringworm

What Is Ringworm

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If your nails are affected by ringworm they may become thicker or discolored, or they may begin to crack. If your scalp is affected by ringworm, the hair around it may break or fall off, and bald patches may develop.

There are external and internal factors that could increase your risk of getting ringworm. These may include, living in a warm area, a weak immune system, close contact with a person or animal who has ringworm, wearing tight clothes frequently. These fungi may live as spores in the soil. Humans and animals can contract ringworm after direct contact with this soil.

What Causes Ringworm?

Ringworm is not actually caused by a worm or some form of the 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).

10 Home Remedies To Treat Ringworms

Early intervention is crucial, to avoid transmitting the infection to others. Thankfully, ringworm can respond well to home treatments.

Here are some of the best home remedies to try at home to cure ringworm:

1. Soap And Water

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You need to keep the infected area as clean as possible when you have ringworm. This helps prevent the rash from spreading further and helps to keep the infected area under control.

Pro tip: Before applying other home remedies on top of it, wash the infected area regularly with water and antibacterial soap. After showering, dry the area completely, as moisture makes it easier for the fungus to spread.

2. Coconut Oil

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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.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

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Apple cider vinegar has strong antifungal properties, so it can help treat ringworm when applied to the infected area.

Pro tip: To use it, soak a cotton ball in undiluted apple cider vinegar and gently apply the cotton ball over your skin. Do this thrice daily.

4. Turmeric

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Turmeric has various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It's also an effective antifungal that prevents growth.

Pro tip: Combine the turmeric spice, with a small amount of water and mix until it becomes a paste. Apply it to your skin and leave it on until it dries. You can also drink turmeric water or turmeric tea daily to get the internal benefits.

5. Oregano Oil

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Oregano oil may be a more powerful antifungal than other products that are available and can inhibit and treat fungal skin infections.

Pro tip: Mix a few drops with a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil, and apply it to the infected area thrice day.

6. Tea Tree Oil

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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.

Pro tip: 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.

7. Powdered Licorice

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Licorice has significant antimicrobial properties, and research has shown that licorice extracts could be used to treat fungal infections in an altered manner.

Pro tip: Mix a cup of water with eight teaspoons of powdered licorice and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat after boiling and simmer for ten minutes. Until it makes a paste, stir. Apply the paste when it is cool enough, and leave it on for at least 10 minutes. Apply twice a day.

8. Antifungal Shampoo

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Sometimes, ringworm develops on the scalp. Symptoms of scalp infection may include patches of hair loss, severe dandruff, severe itching and scalp boils.

Pro tip: If you have ringworm on your scalp, wash your hair with a medicated antifungal shampoo.

9. Aloe Vera

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Aloe vera has long been used both for bacterial and fungal infections as a natural treatment, and ringworm is no exception. Aloe vera may cure the ringworm and can soothe symptoms of itchiness, inflammation, and discomfort.

Pro tip: You may find aloe vera ointments, or directly apply aloe vera gel to the affected area. Do this thrice a day.

10. Lemongrass Oil

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Lemongrass oil extract has antifungal properties that can be helpful in treating fungus-induced skin infections.

Pro tip: To apply lemongrass oil, mix a few drops of lemongrass oil with any carrier oil. Apply it directly to the skin two times a day.

FAQs On Ringworm

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Q. Can animals transmit ringworm to people?

A. Yes, animals can transmit ringworm infection to people, particularly puppies and kittens. Although there are often no signs of infection in adult dogs and cats, young animals may have hairless, circular, or irregularly formed patches that may or may not itch. Animals are also used for scaling, redness, and crusting.

Q. How long does it take for ringworm to disappear?

A. There's no set time limit for ringworm infection. Without treatment, it may go away on its own in a matter of months in a healthy person. Or it may not. Most mild cases of ringworm usually clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. But treatment might be needed for up to 3 months if the infection is severe, or affects the nails or the scalp.

Q. What happens if you don't cure ringworm?

A. If not treated, ringworm can spread and the skin can become irritated and painful. Skin blisters and cracks can become infected with bacteria. If this happens, you may need to take antibiotics.

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