DIY Remedies to Treat Ringworm at Home

Ringworm (Dermatophytosis or tinea) is a fungal infection that commonly affects, skin, scalp, and nails. It is a contagious infection that causes round scaly patches with a darker border in the shape of a ring.

It causes redness, itching, irritation, and inflammation and if not treated on time, then it results in skin blisters. Remember that the fungus will thrive in warm moist areas of the skin.

Ringworm on the skin is called tinea corporis, on scalp called tinea capitis and on feet called athlete’s foot. Are you one among those people suffering from ringworm? Then stop worrying and start using many natural remedies rather than OTC medication or creams.

Home Remedies for Ringworms:

Here are some natural remedies to treat this ringworm on the skin at home. All you need is to follow these home remedies along with some personal skin hygiene to get rid of ringworm.

Remedy – 1: (Garlic)

The ajoene, an antifungal agent present in garlic helps to treat ringworm effectively. It also exhibits antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to relieve you from pain, itching, and irritation.

Here are some ways of using garlic for treating ringworm.

• Peel a clove of garlic and cut it into slices. Place these garlic slices on the ringworm affected areas. Wrap it using a bandage and leave it for overnight. Repeat it regularly.
• Make a thick paste by grinding few garlic cloves and apply it on the ringworm affected skin area. Repeat it few times daily.
• Crush 2 – 3 garlic cloves and mix 3 tablespoons each of olive oil and raw honey to it. Apply the paste on the ringworm affected area and rinse off with warm water after an hour. Repeat 2 – 3 times daily.

Remedy – 2: (Apple Cider Vinegar)

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has anti-fungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to heal pain, irritation, and inflammation. It has high acidic nature that makes the fungus can’t thrive into the skin and balances your skin pH levels.

• Clean the ringworm affected area and pat dry it.
• Dip a cotton ball in undiluted ACV and dab it on the ringworm affected area.
• Or you can apply ACV on the affected skin by using gauze or a clean cloth or a towel.
• Let it sit for few minutes and rinse off thoroughly with water.
• Continue doing the same process for 3 – 4 times daily till you get rid of ringworm.

Note: Make sure to do some skin patch test before using ACV to know whether it causes any allergic reaction on the skin.

Remedy – 3: (Tea Tree Oil)

Tea tree oil treats ringworm with its antiseptic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to restrict the growth of fungi and penetrates deep into the skin to clear it from inside the skin.

• Clean the ringworm affected area and dry it completely.
• Pour few drops of tea tree oil (or lavender oil) on a cotton swab and dab the swab on the ringworm.
• Be sure that the rash should be completely covered with the oil.
• Let it sit for few minutes and rinse off with water.

Note: If the application of undiluted tea tree oil is causing irritation then dilute 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil in 1/2 cup of warm water (or carrier oil) and apply it on the ringworm using a cotton ball. Repeat it 2 – 3 times daily.

Remedy – 4: (Raw Papaya)

Papain and chymopapain are two enzymes present in raw or green papaya. These enzymes are effective in destroying the defense shields of various types of fungus, yeasts, and virus and thereby clear the old dead cells from the outer surface of the skin.

They also cure inflammation and repairs the skin heal quickly from the damage of fungus.

• Cut a small piece of raw papaya and rub the piece on the ringworm affected areas.
• Or simply apply a paste prepared by grinding raw papaya piece, on the ringworm area.
• Let it sit for about 15 – 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
• Repeat the same process for 2 – 3 times daily till you get complete relief from the problem.

Note:

• Or grind dried seeds of fresh papaya to make a powder. Mix enough water to make a fine paste and apply it on the infected skin. Rinse off after 15 – 20 minutes with warm water. Repeat 2 – 3 times daily.
• Also, apply juice extracted from fresh papaya leaf on the ringworm infected areas to treat ringworm.

Remedy – 5: (Salt)

Salt has astringent and disinfectant properties that speed up the healing process of ringworm. it dries the skin and makes the fungus unable to survive on the skin’s surface.

Here are few ways of using salt for treating ringworm.

• Mix 1/4 – 1/2 cup of salt in a large bowl filled with warm water. Stir well and soak the ringworm affected area in this salt water for 15 – 20 minutes. Repeat regularly.
• Mix enough water in salt till it for like a scrub paste. Use this salt scrub to rub the ringworm infected area using a washcloth. Do the same process 15 – 20 minutes daily.
• The combination of salt and vinegar helps to balance the skin’s pH levels. Mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar in 1 tablespoon of salt to make a fine paste. Apply it on the ringworm and rinse off after 5 – 10 minutes. Do it once daily till you get complete relief from the problem.

Remedy – 6: (Lemongrass)

Lemongrass has antiseptic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that clear ringworm. When taken internally, it flushes out the toxins from your body and heals the problem.

• Crush or grind fresh lemongrass leaves by adding buttermilk to make a paste.
• Apply this lemongrass paste on the ringworm infected areas.
• Let it sit for 20 – 30 minutes and rinse off with water.
• Repeat the same process till you get complete relief from the problem.

Note:

• Or mix 3 – 6 drops of lemongrass essential oil in 2 tablespoons of carrier oil. Stir well and apply it on the ringworm infected area. Rinse off with 4 – 5 times daily till the infection disappears.
• Also, drink lemongrass tea for thrice daily to clear ringworm.

Do’s and Don’ts:

1. Apply virgin coconut oil (or) fresh aloe vera gel (or) licorice tea (or) basil juice (extract juice from crushed basil leaves) (or) colloidal silver gel (or) camphor oil (or) iodine tincture on the ringworm infected area to get rid of the problem.
2. Neem (or Indian Lilac) has an antibacterial and antifungal property that helps to clear ringworm. Mix 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of neem leaf powder in enough water to make a paste. Apply it on the ringworm rashes for 1 – 2 times daily. Or apply neem oil on your ringworm.
3. Drink plenty of water and consume a healthy diet to flush out the toxins from the body and thereby to prevent the recurrence of ringworm.
4. Make sure to rinse your clothes and towels with hot water by adding some antifungal or antiseptic cleaner.
5. Avoid touching or scratching the ringworm area and make sure to rinse your hands before and after touching the ringworm area.
6. Avoid public bathrooms or else wear sandals while using them. Also, don’t share your clothes or brushes or other accessories with others.
7. Always remember to keep your skin dry and cool, as moist will attract and enhance the growth of microbes causing infection.
8. If you’re suffering from ringworm repeatedly then consult your doctor for proper diagnose and treatment.

Try these natural remedies to treat ringworm at home. Do you know any other successful remedies? Then share with us in the below comments box.