Ringworm is a skin infection caused by fungus, which grows into red rashes with characteristic ring shape appearance. This infection can affect skin anywhere on your body, feet, scalp and even nails.
Symptoms of ringworm infection:
Symptoms include raised, red and scaly patches of skin that cause severe itching. Over time, these patches may sometimes swell and ooze. The patches have sharp edges and are deep red on the outside appearing like a ring with normal skin in the center of the ring.
Causes of Ringworm:
This infection can occur to people of all age groups, but children are particularly more prone to this because of the activities they are involved in; e.g. Swimming or getting in contact with animals that already have it. It is also very contagious, spreading from one person to another; you may catch the infection if you touch someone who is infected with this condition or share items that are contaminated with this fungus. The ring worm can survive as a spore for many months.
The fungus thrives by coming in direct contact with keratin, which is a tissue on our skin, nails and hair and spreads because of the spores that the fungus produces. These spores can exist for months before they trigger the infection, some may become resistant to the fungus and become carriers of the infection without showing any signs of symptoms.Carriers are invariably adults who develop resistance to the fungus as they grow up, however there are a few who can develop this infection even at an later age. The reasons for this are listed below.
- Elderly people
- African and Caribbean individuals in case of scalp infections
- Obese or over weight individuals
- Medical conditions that weaken the immune system like HIV and AIDS
- Atherosclerosis that is the hardening of veins
- Poor blood circulation
- Medical treatments like chemotherapy that results in weakened immune system
Although this infection is very contagious – the good news about this infection is that it can be easily treated.
Ringworm Treatment
Below are the different ringworm cures that you can try.
Home Remedies:
Ringworm infection can be difficult to get rid off if it has been present for a long duration as it becomes more severe. So some home remedies may take time to work and based on the severity sometimes, they might not work even. If it doesn’t work, you need to visit a dermatologist to get prescribed anti fungal medications to completely treat this condition.
Home remedies are however ideal solutions if you have managed to spot this infection in the early stages.
Some of the home remedies to cure this infection include:
- Applying a cloth soaked in apple cider vinegar on the affected area for 15 minutes several times a day.
- The juice extracted from leaves of holy basil can be applied on the affected area several times a day.
- Applying garlic juice also helps to treat the infection, it may sting but the infection can be treated within a week.
- Tea tree oil is very effective to treat this infection.
- Use a extractor and extract some fresh turmeric juice. Apply this on the infected area till the fungus is cleared. Turmeric had great antibiotic properties!
- Make a paste of vinegar and salt. Apply this to the effected area for 7 days and your problem will be solved.
- Aloe Vera juice or gel is also an amazing remedy for ringworms. Apply this on the effected area everyday till the fungus is completely killed.
- You can use colloidal silver as a liquid or a gel to remove ringworms. Spray it on or apply on the effected area twice a day till the problem is completely removed.
- Lavender oil has strong anti-fungal properties. This oil not just stops the development but also kills the fungus that causes the infection.
- Once your done drinking you lemongrass tea, don’t throw the tea bag away. Apply this 3 times a day to the effected area and the results will amaze you.
- Another option is using chamomile tea instead. You can apply it directly to the infected area or use a cotton ball.
- Another tea that can used to fight away fungal infections is ginger tea. Boil ginger in water for about 20 minutes. You can drink the tea. And also apply a cold compress of the same on the infected area. Ginger has about 20 anti-fungal compounds.
- Licorice is another compound that has many fungicidal components. 25 to be precise! Add 6 teaspoons to a cup of boiling water and simmer for 20 minutes.Strain out the herbal matter and use a cotton ball to apply the tea on the effected areas. Do this till the infection clears.
- Myrhh also has good fungicidal properties. Add myrhh and goldenseal powder to water and apply it to the infected areas. Use this also till the infection clears.
Systemic and Topical Treatment:
In severe cases, i.e. when your infection is recurring or lasting for a longer time; it can be treated topically (externally) or systematically (with oral medications) with chemical compounds that are more potent.
- Topical treatments include usage of Over the counter antifungal creams and dry powders. Look out for products that contain miconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole or something similar as these ingredients help to clear out the area in about two weeks.
- Systemic treatments are used in most severe cases if the fungus doesn’t respond to topical treatment. These treatments include taking effective antifungal tablets that contain griseofulvin, fluconazole or something similar that is a strong anti-fungal antibiotic and this treatment may go on for about three months.
Self – Care for Ringworm:
The following tips will help you take care of the affected area during the infection.
- Keep the affected area clean and dry and ensure you wear loose and airy clothing that does not irritate or rub against the affected area.
- Wash your clothes, bed sheets and nightwear every day.
