Natural Remedies to Treat Ringworm
When the ringworm is not treated properly it can lead to a number of complications. It may be spread all around the body, as it is a fungal infection. While natural remedies will be of the best benefit to treat this condition, it is important to consult your doctor before using them. Most of them are safe to use, however the severity of your infection needs to be taken into consideration. No matter which part of the body the ring worm affects, you can use some natural remedies to get rid of it.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil which may help cure ringworm affecting the feet. Tea tree oil contains anti-fungal and antiseptic agents which can treat various types of skin diseases. It is widely used to treat fungal infections and decreases the infection effectively. Tea tree oil is also an effective homemade treatment for acne and pimples. Soak a cotton ball in tea tree oil, squeeze the excess oil. Now apply this tea tree oil with the help of this cotton ball. Repeat it three times every day.
With regular use one can even get rid of it completely. You will get better results if the oil you are using is of the same temperature as your body. For this you need to warm the oil a little and follow the same procedure. Tea tree oil has been an all-time favourite ingredient for the preparation of cosmetics. It is also useful to heal burns, cuts and wounds.
Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. "Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study." Australas J Dermatol. 2002 Aug;43(3):175-8.
Tong MM, Altman PM, Barnetson RS. "Tea tree oil in the treatment of tinea pedis." Australas J Dermatol. 1992;33(3):145-9.
Garlic / allium sativum
Garlic is flavoured with ajoene, a natural anti-fungal agent. It is used to cure many kinds of fungal infections, including ring worm. The uses of garlic for hair loss are also quite popular. This agent shows promise in treating ringworm if used regularly. Many studies suggest that ajoene is great to heal this fungal infection. You need to peel a clove and cut it into slim slices. Place these slices on the affected area and wrap a bandage around it. You need to leave it overnight for best results. In case you would like to make a thick paste and apply it on the ringworm, go for it!
Ledezma E, López JC, Marin P, Romero H, Ferrara G, De Sousa L, Jorquera A, Apitz Castro R. "Ajoene in the topical short-term treatment of tinea cruris and tinea corporis in humans. Randomized comparative study with terbinafine." Arzneimittelforschung. 1999 Jun;49(6):544-7.
Ledezma E, Marcano K, Jorquera A, De Sousa L, Padilla M, Pulgar M, Apitz-Castro R. "Efficacy of ajoene in the treatment of tinea pedis: a double-blind and comparative study with terbinafine." J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000 Nov;43(5
Apple Cider Vinegar Water
The ingredient mainly used for salad dressing is considered one of the best home remedies for weight loss. Apple cider vinegar also has natural antifungal properties that can treat the ringworm infection. By using apple cider vinegar in your food, you can also get rid of blood pressure problems. To use this remedy effectively, apply undiluted apple vinegar to the patchy area with a clean cotton ball several times every day. You need to do this until the patches are gone. As recommended by dermatologists, applying it 3 to 5 times for three days, will give you the best results. It has been proved that apple vinegar will completely eliminate this fungal infection.
Coconut Oil
The application of coconut oil for grey hair and treatment of other hair and scalp problems is well known. The healing properties found in coconut oil are extremely effective in treating ringworm infections. This is a simple ingredient which can be found in your home. The oil provides great relief from itchy skin while making the area smooth and soft. Coconut oil is also greatly used in treating scalp ring worms. You need to apply the oil on the affected area overnight. By doing this you will eliminate build-up and residue of the infection.
Jojoba Oil and Lavender Oil
This is the safest and soothing remedy to treat the ring worms. It is used to heal the infection in babies. All you need to do is mix a drop of lavender oil in a teaspoon of jojoba oil. Apply this mixture with a cotton ball on the affected area. Leave it on the ring worm.
You can also use lavender oil alone to get rid of the ring worm. It consists of strong antifungal effects. Studies have shown that lavender oil does not just stop the fungi from further development, but it actually kills the fungi completely. This will help rid you from the infection. Thus applying a few drops of oil on the affected area will be extremely helpful to cure your ring worms.
Mustard Seeds
Mustard seeds are tiny in size but they are great agents to cure ring worm. Soak the mustard seeds in water for 30 minutes and grind them to make a thick paste. The paste needs to be applied on the infected skin to provide relief from itching and irritation.
Turmeric
This simple spice we use in our daily life actually has some great natural antibiotic qualities. Turmeric, popularly known as the holy powder has several potent benefits. This remedy will help you get rid of all kinds of bacterial and fungal infections. Use fresh turmeric juice to apply on the affected areas with the help of a cotton ball. You need to apply it 3 times every day until your infection disappears.
Vinegar and Salt
We already know that vinegar has been fruitful in treating ring worms. Make a thick paste from vinegar and salt. Apply it directly onto the ringworm and leave it on for 5 minutes. People who have used this remedy to treat ring worms say that it takes about 7 days to help the infection vanish.
Aloe vera
The use of aloe vera hair mask for natural hair conditioning is extremely popular in beauty circles. However, it is a great remedy to get rid of skin infections as well. Aloe Vera is an all-natural remedy for ringworm and numerous other skin problems. Remove the gel from aloe vera and apply it directly on the skin. Leave it on overnight and wash the affected area the next day. Apply it every day till you are cured of your illness.
Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is a great antibiotic and it is completely natural. It helps in destroying hundreds of dangerous microorganisms. It can be used topically to eliminate ringworm. Apply colloidal silver on the affected area, twice a day. It can be in gel or liquid form. Repeat this procedure every day to get rid of the infection.
Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass tea is the best remedy to reduce the itchiness and rid you from the infection. You need to drink a glass of lemongrass tea thrice a day. You need to apply the used tea bags on the ring worm simultaneously. This will bring a great relief into your life.
Myrrh
Myrrh is another good antifungal treatment. You can make a paste from it by mixing equal components of myrrh and goldenseal. Add few drops of water to this mixture and mix it well. Apply this mixture on your ring worm. Do this 3 times daily.
Olive Leaf
Almost all the parts of the olive tree have potent health benefits. Olive oil is undoubtedly the best body massage oil, whereas olive leaf is a powerful remedy for ringworm. It has anti-fungal qualities and helps in boosting the body’s immune system. Consume this leaf 3 times per day until the problem subsides and you feel light from within.
As mentioned before ringworm is an illness caused due to a fungus. This makes it extremely hard to eliminate. These are some natural home remedies that work effectively. Consulting your doctor is very important, especially for people suffering from this infection in the scalp. Treatment does require more time when used for the scalp, toe nails and fingernails. Before using these remedies clean your skin and wash your night clothes and bed sheets. It is also important to treat your infected pets
In order to prevent ringworm, The National Institutes of Health recommend a hygienic environment. You need to keep your skin clean and dry, and shampoo your hair regularly. Avoid sharing personal-care items with others. You need to wear sandals or shoes at pools and gyms. Also avoid touching pets with bald patches on the skin. Eat healthy foods to enhance your immune power. Follow the instructions and keep yourself healthy and hygienic.
Note: Results might vary if you are a diabetic patient or having any other medical conditions. Please consult your physician before acting upon these remedies.
Complement Ther Med. 2004 Mar;12(1):45-7.
An alternative treatment for pityriasis versicolor, tinea cruris, tinea corporis and tinea faciei with topical application of honey, olive oil and beeswax mixture: an open pilot study.
Al-Waili NS1.
t
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the possible role of honey, olive oil and beeswax in the treatment of skin fungal infections.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Thirty-seven patients with pityriasis versicolor, tinea cruris, tinea corporis and tinea faciei were studied. After clinical evaluation of redness, scaling, pruritus and burning/pain sensation and mycological assessment, honey mixture containing honey, olive oil and beeswax (1:1:1) was applied to the lesions three times daily for a maximum of 4 weeks.
RESULTS:
Clinical response was obtained in 86% of patients with pityriasis versicolor, 78% of patients with tinea cruris and in 75% of patients with tinea corporis. Mycological cure was obtained in 75, 71 and 62% of patients with PV, tinea cruris and tinea corporis, respectively. The patient with tinea faciei showed clinical and mycological cure 3 weeks after commencement of therapy.
CONCLUSION:
Honey mixture may have place in the management of these skin conditions and rigorous, controlled trials are justified.
An Bras Dermatol. 2013 May-Jun;88(3):381-5. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20131800.
Treatment of pityriasis versicolor with topical application of essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf - therapeutic pilot study.
Carmo ES1, Pereira Fde O, Cavalcante NM, Gayoso CW, Lima Ede O.
BACKGROUND:
Pityriasis versicolor is a fungal infection caused by Malassezia spp. that has frequent relapses.
OBJECTIVES:
The main objective of this research was to perform phase I and II clinical studies, using formulations containing essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus in patients with pityriasis versicolor.
METHODS:
Phase I study included twenty volunteers to ascertain the safety of the formulations. In phase II, 47 volunteers randomly received essential oil formulations at 1.25 μL/mL concentration, for forty days. The shampoo should be applied three times a week and the cream twice a day. A control group in phase II, consisting of 29 volunteers, received the same formulations but with 2% ketoconazole as the active ingredient.
RESULTS:
No significant adverse events were observed in volunteers during Phase I. In Phase II, 30 (63.83%) volunteers using essential oil and 18 (62.07%) using ketoconazole remained until the end of the study. We observed a predominance of lesions in disseminated form, with M. sympodialis detected as the predominant agent identified in cultures. After 40 days of treatment, the rate of mycological cure was 60% (p <0.05) for the group treated with essential oil of C. citratus and over 80% (p <0.05) for the group treated with ketoconazole formulations.
CONCLUSIONS:
Notwithstanding the safety and antifungal effects observed in this study after application of formulations containing the essential oil of C. citratus, further studies with larger populations should be performed to confirm the actual potential of these formulations in the treatment of patients with Pityriasis versicolor.
Arzneimittelforschung. 1999 Jun;49(6):544-7.
Ajoene in the topical short-term treatment of tinea cruris and tinea corporis in humans. Randomized comparative study with terbinafine.
Ledezma E1, López JC, Marin P, Romero H, Ferrara G, De Sousa L, Jorquera A, Apitz Castro R.
Ajoene (CAS 92284-99-6), an organic trisulphur originally isolated from garlic, has an antimycotic activity which has been widely demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The objective of this work was to compare the safety and effectiveness of ajoene (0.6%, gel) with terbinafine (CAS 91161-71-6) (1%, cream) for the treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris. The patients selected were 60 soldiers with clinical and mycological diagnosis of either dermatophytosis. They were distributed at random in two treatment groups, one treated with ajoene at 0.6% and the other with terbinafine at 1%. All patients were evaluated clinically and mycologically 30 and 60 days after completion of the treatment, which was considered effective when clinical signs and symptoms had disappeared and the mycological cultures were negative. Thirty days after treatment, the percent healing rate was 77 and 75 for the groups treated with ajoene and terbinafine, respectively. Sixty days after treatment, the healing rate 73% and 71% for the groups treated with ajoene and terbinafine, respectively. These results and those obtained in previous studies confirm that ajoene is a new agent for the topic treatment of superficial mycoses, and for the first time show the therapeutic usefulness of an inhibitor of phospholipids biosynthesis in eukaryotes.