Ontips Health ~ Ringworm (Dermatophytosis) is a misnomer as it is not caused by worms but by various fungi. However, one thing in its name is typically true and that is the formation of a ring like structure on the skin with a defined border by fungus and intact skin in the middle of this scaly ring. So, if you have a reddish brownish ring shaped rash on your skin, nails, scalp etc. you may want to treat this contagious fungal infection with some truly effective home remedies for ringworm.
1. Tea Tree Oil for Ringworm
The excellent anti-fungal and anti-septic tea tree oil extracted from the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is one of the best remedies for ringworm. You just need to use 100% pure tea tree oil because if you use the one diluted with other oils, it may not be able to cure your ringworm. Although it is very strong oil, you should first apply undiluted tea tree oil to your fungal infection and if your skin irritates a lot, then only dilute it with warm water. Here’s a step-by-step instruction on how to use tea tree oil for ringworm cure at home.
Get this:
- 100% pure tea tree oil- 1 – ½ tbsp
- Cotton swab or ball (sterilized)
- Warm water (optional)- 1 cup
Do this:
- Clean your skin affected with ringworm and dry it completely.
- Take the cotton swab and pour few drops of tea tree oil on it.
- Apply this oil to your ringworm affected area and properly cover the rash with the oil.
- Repeat three-four times a day.
- However, if you feel, undiluted oil irritates your skin a lot, dilute it with warm water.
- Mix one and a half tablespoons of tea tree oil into a cup of warm water.
- Soak a cotton ball into this solution and apply this to your ringworm.
- Repeat 3-4 times a day for about 3-4 weeks.
If however, you don’t notice any improvement, you must see your doctor.
2. Garlic for Ringworm
Garlic with all its goodness for health, is also considered to be an effective remedy for ringworm. The antifungal ajoene in garlic may cure a variety of fungal infections of skin. The fungus that causes your ringworm can also be treated by garlic then. While you may always use a clove of pressed or crushed garlic to apply on your ringworm directly, here is a remedy that also uses olive oil and honey to make this remedy more effective.
Get this:
- Garlic clove- 1-2
- Olive oil- 3 tbsp
- Honey- 3 tbsp
Do this:
- Crush the garlic cloves using a mortar and pestle.
- Add the garlic paste with olive oil and honey.
- Apply this paste on your ringworm affected skin.
- Leave for about one hour.
- Wash off with warm water.
- Repeat 2-3 times a day for at least 2 weeks.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar for Ringworm
Apple cider vinegar’s anti fungal properties are granted by its highly acidic qualities. As fungi cannot thrive in highly acidic environments, ACV can lead to their complete elimination provided you use it regularly for an extended period of time. It is also safe to be used for kids and pets due to its non toxic nature.
Get this:
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Cotton ball or hand towel
Do this:
- Clean the ringworm affected skin area and pat dry.
- Before applying apple cider vinegar on your rashes, do a patch test to see if your skin is sensitive to ACV. First use may give you a stinging sensation but if it burns a lot, you may be sensitive to ACV use.
- If you are all right with the test and your skin doesn’t burn a lot due to high acidic property of vinegar, apply some vinegar using cotton ball on your ringworm rashes. Repeat 3-4 ties a day.
- You may also soak a towel in apple cider vinegar and leave it on your rashes for half an hour. Do this twice a day.
- You may need to use this remedy for 3-4 weeks for curing your skin infection.
4. Raw Papaya for Ringworm
Raw or the green papaya can destroy old dead cells from the outer layers of your skin, the place where ringworm fungi dwell and grow. Your young skin cells are left unharmed. This may be due to many enzymes found in papaya, especially papain and chymopapain. These enzymes destroy the defense shields of viruses, yeasts, and various types of fungus. Both papain and chymopapain enzymes also cure inflammation and heal burns. Thus papaya may prove to be a soothing remedy for your ringworm infection.
Get this:
- Raw papaya
Do this:
- Cut some pieces from a green raw papaya.
- Rub these papaya pieces on your ringworm rashes.
- You may also make a paste of raw papaya by grinding it.
- Apply this paste on your ringworm affected area.
- Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.
- Wash off with warm water.
- Do this 2-3 times a day.
5. Coconut Oil for Ringworm
Coconut oil is one of the safe and most effective remedies for ringworm as it can completely eliminate a host of fungi that cause this infection on your skin. The magic ingredient in coconut oil is its Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA), especially, the Lauric acid. This acid is capable of killing many species of fungi and thus there is high chance that coconut oil would work to cure your ringworm infection if nothing else helps. The antiviral and anti-fungal Lauric acid will dissolve the fatty outer membranes of the microbes thus killing them.
Get this:
- Coconut oil- get the one which is mostly unrefined and not hydrogenated
Do this:
- Just take some amount of coconut oil and liberally apply on your ringworm.
- Gently massage for a couple of minutes and leave.
- Repeat this 3-4 times a day.
- Also apply some coconut oil before going to bed and leave this on your ringworm affected area overnight.
- Do this daily for a couple of weeks and you’ll see your ringworms being cured. Do not stop applying coconut oil for another week or so after your ringworm disappear just to ensure they do not come back.
6. Salt for Ringworm
Saltwater is an excellent astringent which speeds up healing of wounds. When you soak in salt water, it disinfects the affected area and dries up the rash patches. You may also use sea salt paste to apply on your infected skin if you don’t like to soak in saltwater. Some people even use vinegar and salt paste for ringworm. Here are some ways to use salt for ringworm.
Ways to Use Salt for Ringworm:
- Add ¼ to ½ cup of salt to a basin filled with warm water. Soak the ringworm affected area in this salty warm water for half an hour.
- Take some sea salt and using a little water, moisten it a little. Use this salt scrub to rub into your ringworm with the help of a washcloth. Do this about 15-20 minutes daily.
- Take 1tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Mix them together to make a salt vinegar paste. Apply this paste to the ringworm affected area and leave for 5-10 minutes. Repeat thrice a day for at least a week.
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