Ringworm: This scrouge of childhood is an extremely contagious infection that is caused not by a worm but a fungus called tinea. This kind of a fungus lives on dead tissues of the skin, hair, and nails. Ringworm can occur on the body, the scalp, the feet, or the groin. This fungal infection is characterised by a raised circular rash—like a ring with a flat centre (some ringworm infections do not have the raised ring). It looks like a raised red sore and is often accompanied by scaly skin.
This infection is very contagious and can spread easily from people to people or even from animals to people. Worse still, you can get an infection through things like furniture and clothes that have been touched by a ringworm infected person. The condition causes a lot of itching and looks scary. However, the rings are not as serious as they look and clear up with antifungal treatment in the form of ointments or oral medicines. Prevent ringworm by cleaning your hands and fingernails meticulously with soap. Keep your skin clean and dry; avoid walking barefoot in communal areas, change socks and underwear daily; avoid sharing clothes, towels or bed linen with an infected person; avoid touching animals with ringworm; shower after gym or a sports session.
Home remedies for ringworm
Some of the most common home remedies that have been used over the years used for ringworm are as follows. They are effectove in soothing the symptoms. Do consult a medical practitioner before using any home remedy. Also do a patch test on the inner side of your arm to see if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
Garlic: Use a paste of garlic topically for relief from symptoms. Garlic is also used as a remedy for other types of fungi like Candida, Torulopsis, Trichophyton, and Cryptococcus. Mix the paste with some olive or coconut oil and apply on the affected area and leave on for a couple of hours before you rinse. Use twice daily before till your symptoms reduce. Garlic has anti- fungal, antibiotic and anti bacterial properties. You could also eat garlic pods for your fungal infection.
Soap: This might be a simple remedy but it is pretty effective. Wash the ringworm-affected with soap and water thoroughly to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body. Don’t forget to dry the area thoroughly as fungus thrives in a moist environment. Do use an antibacterial soap that will disinfect your body and kill the fungal infection in its early stages. The drying effect of the soap will also help your condition.
Apple cider vinegar: Wipe the affected area with a cotton pad soaked in undiluted apple cider vinegar thrice a day for best results.
Aloe vera: Aloe vera will be soothing for your skin and will help treat your condition as well as it contains antiseptic agents that work against fungus, bacteria and viruses. All you have to do is apply the gel from an aloe vera plant to the affected area few times daily.
Coconut oil: This is an age-old remedy for skin infections and research suggests that coconut oil kills fungal cells. Apply liquid coconut oil on the affected area thrice a day and keep using it if you are prone to fungal infections.
Turmeric: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and anti-microbial benefits as well. Apply turmeric paste made with a little water or coconut oil and apply to the affected area.
Powdered licorice: Licorice or mulethi powder applied as a paste with water will reduce inflammation and work against the fungus. Apply it twice a day.
Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil has been used in many ancient cultures to treat fungal infections. Add a few drops of the essential oil to a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply this to the skin.
Oregano oil. This is a wonder cure that has strong antifungals in the form of thymol and carvacrol. Dilute a few drops of oregano oil in a carrier oil and apply to the affected area thrice a day.
Organic neem oil: Neem oil has been used in Ayurveda for centuries to treat fungal infections. Derived from the the leaves and bark of the neem tree, this oil has a potent antibiotic and anti-inflammatory action. Add need leaves to your bath water or make a decoction with neem leaves and apply it to the affected area. Dry the area thoroughly after use.