10 Best Natural Home Remedies For Ringworm Treatment

Ringworm is an itchy skin condition that has nothing to do with worms, unlike the name. It is a fungal skin infection caused by a fungus named tinea, that lives and thrives on dead skin, nails, and hair. Knowing how to get rid of ringworm with natural remedies helps effectively manage the infection. The name ringworm is given primarily because of the distinctive ring-like red scaly circular patches that develop on the skin in this infection.

It is a contagious disease. Therefore, it is important to maintain distance from the affected person and keep this infection under control.

Quick Tip

About 40 different types of fungi may cause ringworm. The condition goes by many names (like jock itch and athlete’s foot) based on the affected body part.

Causes And Symptoms Of Ringworm

Ringworm is highly contagious and is caused by the overgrowth of fungus that naturally occurs on the skin. Environmental factors like hot and humid weather may cause fungal overgrowth. Here are ways people may contract this infection (1), (2):

• Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or infected pets, like cats and dogs.
• Coming into contact with surfaces that have fungal spores may also spread the infection.
• Sharing personal items like towels, combs, or sports equipment with an infected individual.
• Lack of personal hygiene may cause fungal overgrowth as fungi thrive in moist, warm areas.

Also, people with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of developing this infection. A red, itchy rash that resembles a ring and may have a raised, red border and a scaly or dry center is one of the common signs of ringworm. The rash can arise anywhere on the body, including the scalp, feet, or crotch, and the affected area may also be slightly swollen and uncomfortable. While it’s important to consult a doctor and use anti-fungal medicines to get rid of ringworm, several home remedies may also help manage the infection. Scroll down and take a look.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Ringworms 

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties (3). These may help in combating the infection-causing fungus and aid recovery from the infection.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
• Sterile cotton ball

What You Have To Do

1. Dilute a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar using some water.
2. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it to the affected area.
3. Keep the cotton in place using a band-aid.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this about 3-4 times a day for a week.

2. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil contains bioactive compoundsⁱ  Components acquired by the human body through animal or plant food sources which impact body activity and promote good health. that possess antifungal properties

. It was found to be effective in treating tine pedisⁱ  Fungal infection characterized by itchy and scaly rashes between the toes. Also known as Athlete’s Foot. (4). Hence, it may also help in treating the symptoms of ringworm.

You Will Need

• A few drops of tea tree oil
• Sterile cotton pad

What You Have To Do

1. Dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil like sweet almond oil or jojoba oil.
2. Dab a cotton ball with the oil blend and apply it to the affected area.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this a few times during the day for 7-10 days.

3. Coconut Oil 

Using coconut oil for ringworm may be an effective treatment, as it has antifungal properties and can help in treating fungal infections like Candida (5). Its emollient properties may also soothe the irritation and itching that often accompanies ringworm (6).

You Will Need

Virgin coconut oil

What You Have To Do

Take some coconut oil on your fingertips and massage it gently over the affected area and leave it on.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply this oil 3-4 times a day until it heals.

Studies show that more than 1.5 million people die each year from fungal infections worldwide. A total of 666 235 fungal infections were identified in the 35.5 million inpatient visits recorded in the US in 2018, with a corresponding cost estimated to be $6.7 billion. 76.3% of identified fungal infections were caused by Aspergillus, Pneumocystis, and Candida infections.

Yaneece Cynthia Droz, a YouTuber, shared her experience with ringworm, and her journey from discovering the issue to finding a solution. Although she outlined a range of possible remedies, she only had coconut oil on hand. She recalls, “…I moved on to coconut oil because the coconut oil is supposed to be a fungus fighter and do all those things…. Coconut oil was my only option (i).”

4. Garlic

Garlic is rich in bioactive compounds like allicin and can be used for treating ringworm.

The compounds exhibit antifungal properties that can help soothe the infection and heal it (7).

You Will Need

3-4 cloves of garlic

What You Have To Do

1. Crush the cloves of garlic and rub the paste over the infected area.
2. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing it off.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this daily until the skin rash disappears.

5. Oregano Oil

Oregano oil exhibits antifungal activity (7). Hence, it can help in getting rid of the infection-causing fungi and treat the symptoms.

You Will Need

• 2-3 drops of oregano oil
• Carrier oil

What You Have To Do

1. Dilute a few drops of oregano oil with a carrier oil.
2. Apply this mixture to the affected area and leave it on.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this at least once a day until it is healed.

6. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil exhibits fungistatic effects

(8). Its topical application may help treat the infection and soothe the affected area.

You Will Need

• 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil
• Water

What You Have To Do

1. Take a few drops of eucalyptus oil and dilute with water.
2. Dab the gauze in this solution and secure it on the affected area using a band-aid.
3. Leave this on overnight.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat it every night until the affected area is healed.

7. Lavender Essential Oil 

Lavender essential oil has antifungal properties (9). Hence, it can prove to be an effective option to treat ringworm and stop it from spreading.

You Will Need

• 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil
• Carrier oil

What You Have To Do

1. Take a few drops of lavender oil and dilute it with a carrier oil.
2. Dab it on a cotton ball and apply it to the affected area.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this at least twice daily until it is healed.

8. Neem Oil 

The topical application of neem oil can help treat ringworm. Neem oil is enriched with phytochemicals that exhibit fungicidal properties (10).

You Will Need

A few drops of neem oil

What You Have To Do

Dab a few drops of neem oil on a cotton pad and apply it to the affected area.

How Often You Should Do This

You must apply this oil twice a day for about 7-10 days or till it heals.

9. Turmeric 

Turmeric exhibits antifungal activity against different strains of dermatophytesⁱ  A broad term for a group of fungi that causes infections in the skin, nails and hair. Examples include athlete’s foot and scalp ringworm. (11). This can help alleviate the symptoms of ringworm infection and also prevent further infection.

You Will Need

• ½ to 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• A few drops of water

What You Have To Do

1. Mix turmeric powder with some water to make a thick paste.
2. Apply this paste over the rash and leave it on for 15 minutes.
3. Wash thoroughly with water.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply turmeric paste twice a day until the rashes disappear.

10. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera is well known for its wound-healing and antifungal properties (12). This makes it the perfect natural remedy to eliminate ringworm infection and speed up recovery.

You Will Need

Aloe leaf extract

What You Have To Do

1. Extract the gel from the aloe vera leaf.
2. Apply it directly to the area with the ringworm infection and leave on.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2-3 times a day till it heals.

Quick Tip

You can mix holy basil leaves juice with aloe vera to make the remedy more effective. This blend heals the infection faster.

You can also try using other essential oils like lemongrass oil and calendula oil to treat ringworms as they have potent antifungal properties (13) (14). Using boric acid and hydrogen peroxide for ringworms may be similarly beneficial, as per anecdotal evidence.

Although home remedies for ringworm can be successful, it is important to follow good preventative measures to stay clear of infections in the first place and maintain long-term skin health. Scroll down to know more.

Prevention Tips

Maintaining proper hygiene is essential for preventing the spread of ringworm. Here are some simple tips you can follow:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, particularly after handling possibly contaminated objects or coming into contact with someone who has ringworm.
• Towels, clothes, and combs are some personal objects that need not be shared since they can host the fungus and contribute to its spread.
• Additionally, since dampness can encourage the growth of fungi, keep your skin and towels clean and dry.
• Make sure everything in your home is dry and clean and pay quick attention to any places where moisture accumulates, including your damp bathroom or sweaty exercise clothes.

Infographic: 5 Home Remedies To Treat Ringworms

Now that you know all the effective and natural ways to get rid of ringworm, check out the infographic below to go through the top 5 home remedies to treat the condition and provide relief from its symptoms. These remedies are easy to follow and safe to use. Scroll down to read more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I seek medical attention for ringworm?

You should consult a doctor for ringworm If over-the-counter medications do not relieve your infection or it spreads quickly or covers a wide area. If you have extreme itching or discomfort or a compromised immune system or other underlying medical disorders, it is best to check in with a medical professional. In addition, you need to consult a doctor if ringworm affects your nails or scalp, or if you experience any symptoms of a secondary bacterial infection, such as increased pus, swelling, or redness.

How long does it take to get rid of ringworm?

It usually takes about 2-4 weeks to treat a ringworm infection completely.

How can you stop ringworm from spreading?

You can stop the infection from spreading by applying an antifungal ointment or using any of the natural remedies listed above.

Is ringworm always itchy?

Ringworm can have a red and crusted appearance. An itchy sensation can accompany this scaly rash.

Is ringworm contagious by touch?

Ringworm is quite contagious and can spread very easily by touch. It can also spread to resources shared by people like towels, locker rooms, accessories, etc.

How fast does ringworm spread?

Ringworm usually takes one to two weeks to incubate in humans.

How do you shower with ringworm?

Wash the affected areas with soap and lukewarm water while showering, then pat them dry with a fresh towel. Use a new towel for other parts of your body.

Can ringworm live on clothes?

Ringworm transmits through contact with infected skin and fungal spores. Hence, the spores can live on various items, including clothes. As a result, it is critical to disinfect anything that has come into contact with an infected human or animal.

Is sun exposure good for ringworm?

Yes, UV light which is amply present in natural sunlight is highly effective for ringworm. However, more research is needed to back up this claim.

Does alcohol kill ringworm?

Alcohol can only eradicate it on the surface of the skin but does not stop the infection underneath. However, it effectively cleans the surface to prevent it from spreading further.

Illustration: Best Natural Home Remedies For Ringworm Treatment

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Watch this video for tips to prevent and treat ringworm rash. Get the best advice to maintain your hygiene and keep your skin healthy and free from infection.

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Dr. SabaBHMS, MD

   

Dr. Saba is a gold medalist with 6+ years of clinical experience. She specializes in treating both chronic and acute illnesses of all kinds. She also has three years of experience as a homeopathic editor, instructional designer, and subject matter expert.

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Sucharita MishraHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Sucharita Mishra has a Master’s degree in Biotechnology and two years of experience in writing on topics related to Health and Wellness. She has worked on determining various heavy metals present in green tea for her Master’s dissertation at CSIR- CFTRI, Mysuru.

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Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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