How To Use Coconut Oil For Ringworm

Coconut oil is a common home remedy for managing ringworm (tinea corporis), a fungal infection of the skin. It has both antimicrobial and antifungal properties and is effective against several strains of bacteria and fungi. In this article, we explain why coconut oil may help manage ringworm and how to use it as an alternative medicine. Keep reading to know more!

What Is Ringworm And What Causes It?

Ringworm (tinea corporis) is caused by the fungi Microsporum canis. This strain of fungi feeds on highly keratinized tissues, such as the hair, nails, and skin, destroys the epidermis, and causes inflammation.

Ringworm looks like a red, circular, flaky, and bumpy rash on the skin. It is highly contagious and may itch.

An American survey from 2022 shows a high-frequency of ringworm self-diagnosis. The survey had 4156 respondents, of which 114 (2.7%) reported having a ringworm infection and 415 (10%) had a fungal nail infection in the preceding 12 months. 36% of the respondents with ringworm infection were women. About 55% of the infected preferred over-the-counter treatments, while 18.3% opted for alternative or natural treatment.

Quick Tip

Children and people with a compromised immune system are more prone to getting ringworm infection (8).

Is Coconut Oil An Effective Treatment For Ringworm?

Here are the reasons coconut oil may work as a topical treatment for ringworm:

1. Coconut shell oil has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, is effective against Microsporum canis, and may help reduce tinea corporis or ringworm (1), (2).
2. Coconut oil promotes wound healing as it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (3). It soothes skin irritation and flakiness and may also help reduce the other symptoms and discomfort caused by ringworm.

Here are some ways you can use coconut oil to manage ringworm.

How To Use Coconut Oil For Ringworm

1. Wash your hands and the affected area and pat them dry.
2. Apply coconut oil to the affected area with a cotton swab or ball.
3. Leave it overnight.
4. Apply coconut oil 3-5 times a day.

You can combine coconut oil with essential oils with antifungal properties (4), (5), (6), (7). They include:

• Tea tree
• Peppermint
• Oregano
• Marjoram
• Clove
• Garlic
• Myrrh
• Helichrysum
• Lavender
• Geranium
• Mastic
• Terebinth
• Santolina
• Turmeric

Quick Tip

Continue to apply coconut oil to the affected area for a week after the symptoms reduce or disappear. This will reduce the risk of recurrence.

Side Effects Of Coconut Oil

Avoid coconut oil if you are allergic to it as it may cause:

• Hives
• Rashes
• Dryness
• Itching
• Blistering

It may even worsen the rash. Therefore, to prevent any adverse reactions, perform a patch test on the back of your hand or neck. If there is no inflammation or irritation, you can apply coconut oil to the affected area.

If you are allergic to coconut oil, you may try other antifungal remedies for ringworm. We have discussed them in the next section.

Natural Treatment Options For Ringworm

Here are some more home remedies for ringworm besides coconut oil that you may try:

• Tea Tree Oil

Apply diluted tea tree oil to the affected area. Its antifungal properties can help clear the infection (9).

• Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel possesses antimicrobial properties (10). These may help soothe the irritation associated with ringworm. Apply it directly to the affected area.

• Garlic

Crush a garlic clove to make a paste and apply it to the ringworm. Garlic has natural antifungal properties that may help with the recovery (11).

• Apple Cider Vinegar

Dab a mixture of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar on the affected area. ACV possesses antifungal properties and may help treat the infection (12).

• Turmeric

Make a paste using turmeric powder and water and apply it to the ringworm. Turmeric has both antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties (13).

A blogger shared her personal experience about how she dealt with ringworm and the natural remedies she experimented with to treat the condition. She recounts in her blog post, “In June of 2009 our entire household (two adults, four children, four cats and one dog) got ringworm from a kitten we had brought home for our oldest daughter’s 8th birthday (i).” She then proceeds to talk about the simple recipes she tried to combat the issue and shares, “Finally I got out all of our herbal and essential oil books, composed a list of some anti-fungal ingredients that we already had on hand and went wildcrafting for the one plant I really wanted to include- usnea.”

While the remedies may be effective in varying degrees, the best course is to prevent ringworm in the first place. Preventing ringworm is all about good hygiene and simple habits that reduce the risk of spreading or catching the infection. By staying consistent with these measures, you can protect yourself and others from this contagious condition.

Preventive Measures

Here are some simple tips:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after touching animals or contaminated surfaces.
• Avoid sharing personal items like towels, clothes, or hairbrushes to prevent the spread of the infection.
• Keep your skin clean and dry, particularly in areas prone to sweating, as ringworm thrives in moist environments.
• Wear breathable clothing to reduce moisture buildup on your skin.
• Change and wash your clothes, socks, and underwear daily to minimize contamination risks.
• Disinfect commonly touched surfaces, like gym equipment or shared furniture, regularly.
• If you have pets, check them for signs of ringworm and take them to the vet for treatment if necessary.
• Avoid walking barefoot in communal areas like swimming pools or locker rooms to reduce exposure.

Infographic: Coconut Oil For Ringworms And Its Side Effects

Coconut oil is known for managing severe fungal infections, including ringworm. It has antifungal properties that help heal and treat ringworms and lighten the marks as well. Below is an infographic on how to use coconut oil to manage ringworm and also some possible side effects to look out for. Scroll down to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a ringworm to heal with coconut oil?

With regular application, you may see improvement in a few weeks. However, complete healing could take up to months, depending on the severity.

What cures ringworm fast?

Ringworm can be treated with over-the-counter antifungals. They destroy the fungus quickly and facilitate healing. In addition, aloe vera is the most effective home remedy for ringworm. (1)

Why do I keep getting ringworms?

There are numerous reasons why a person gets ringworms on their body. For example, a person is more likely to show symptoms if they live in a warm climate, have close contact with an infected person or animal, and so on.

Can I put Vaseline on ringworm?

No, an OTC antifungal medicine is the first line of defense for most ringworm cases that affect the skin. On the other hand, more severe infections may require prescription topical or oral medications.

How do you stop ringworm from spreading?

To stop ringworm from spreading,

• Don’t touch or scratch the lesion.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the lesion.
• Wash clothes, blankets, and towels in soap and warm water
• Do not share personal items.
• Avoid walking barefoot at home.
• Try home remedies like coconut oil and hydrogen peroxide for ringworms to control the spread.
• Seek veterinarian treatment if your pet has ringworm.

Illustration: Coconut Oil For Ringworm: How To Use It

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Satisfy your curiosity about coconut oil’s potential in treating ringworm. Check out the video below and explore the truth behind its effectiveness and learn whether it can indeed cure ringworm or not!

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Priya GillMBBCH, MRCP

 

Dr. Priya Gill is a consultant dermatologist in Klang, Malaysia, with over 16 years of experience. She specializes in the management of all medical and surgical dermatology issues and has a special interest in laser therapy and phototherapy.

Read full bio of Dr. Priya Gill

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

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.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

Read full bio of Ramona Sinha

Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.

Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti