Despite its name, ringworm isn’t a type of worm. Rather, ringworm is a fungus that feeds off the dead tissues of your hair, nails, and skin. The infection typically causes one or more itchy rings to appear on your skin. Ringworm is highly contagious, and you can get the infection from another person, your pet, from objects, or from the soil. While it is unpleasant, there are several home remedies for ringworm you can use to effectively treat the fungal infection.
Our natural home remedies for ringworm will help you get rid of the itch in no time!
1. Garlic
Garlic contains antifungal properties while the allicin and ajoene in garlic make it one of the most effective home remedies for ringworm. You can also eat raw or cooked garlic, and follow the procedure below to help treat ringworm.
Instructions
- Create a paste with crushed garlic cloves and olive oil.
- Rub the paste onto the affected area.
- Cover the area with gauze for two hours.
- Then rinse with warm water.
- Repeat three times each day for the duration of three weeks.
2. Myrrh
Myrrh is a resin that comes from the Commiphora myrrha tree, commonly found in the Middle East and Africa. It is a powerful antioxidant and has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. Myrrh is also moisturizing and can help relieve cracked or chapped skin. Therefore, these properties make it one of the most effective natural home remedies for ringworm.
Instructions
- Add a few drops of water to equal parts myrrh and goldenseal.
- Use a clean cotton swab to apply the mixture to the affected area.
- Repeat three times each day until the infection is gone.
3. Neem
Neem has been used in traditional medicine to treat worms, cardiovascular disease, skin conditions, and malaria. Also, it is reported to have fungicidal, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties, making it a good choice as a ringworm home remedy.
Instructions
- Combine one-half teaspoon neem oil and one cup aloe vera gel.
- Use a clean cotton swab to apply the mixture to the affected area.
- Apply the mixture daily until the ringworm infection clears.
4. Papaya
Papaya contains papain and chymopapain. These two enzymes are known to help fight against fungus, therefore making papaya one of the most effective home remedies for ringworm.
Instructions
- Cut a fresh papaya into slices.
- Rub a slice of raw papaya on the affected area.
- Rinse the juice off with warm water after 15 to 20 minutes.
- Repeat three times each day until the infection is gone.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of the tea tree, a tree native from Australia. It has antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, making it one of the best natural treatments for ringworm. Therefore, tea tree oil is effective for treating acne, bacterial infections, and fungal infections.
Instructions
- Mix equal parts water and tea tree oil.
- Apply the solution to the affected area with a clean cotton ball.
- Leave the solution on.
- Repeat about twice a day for the duration of four weeks.
6. Olive Leaf
Olive leaf has numerous health benefits. It is effective in fighting osteoporosis, it can prevent the formation of blood clots, helps stop irregular heartbeat, and helps fight the formation of LDL (bad cholesterol). Additionally, olive leaf helps strengthen the immune system and contains antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, making it one of the best natural treatments for ringworm.
Instructions
- Eat a fresh olive leaf three times each day.
- Repeat every day until the ringworm infection is gone.
7. Mustard Seeds
Mustard seeds are small, but they have a lot of health benefits. They are effective in the treatment of psoriasis, contact dermatitis, sinus problems, and ringworm. Mustard seeds also reduce inflammation and itchiness on your skin while they fight ringworm. As far as home remedies for ringworm go, mustard seeds are an effective one.
Instructions
- Grind mustard seeds into a powder.
- Add some water to the powder to form a mustard seed paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected areas of your skin.
- Leave the paste on for 45 to 60 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
- Repeat daily until the infection clears.
8. Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice often used in curry. It is also used in traditional Indian medicine. Turmeric will reduce inflammation on the skin while destroying the ringworm infection.
Instructions
- Combine one teaspoon turmeric powder with a few drops of water.
- Use a clean cotton swab to put the mixture on the affected areas of your skin.
- Leave it on your skin for 10 minutes, after that rinse it off with warm water.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has a multitude of uses and health benefits. It contains astringent and antifungal properties, making it one of the best home remedies for ringworm. Also, apple cider vinegar is safe to use multiple times a day.
Instructions
- Use a clean cotton swab to apply undiluted apple cider vinegar directly on the affected area of your skin.
- Leave the apple cider vinegar on; do not wash it off.
- Repeat two to three times each day until you see improvement in the infection.
10. Licorice Root
Licorice root grows in Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean and has been used for thousands of years to treat various conditions. While it is helpful in treating nausea, heartburn, indigestion, PMS, it also treats muscle and joint pain. Also since it has fungicidal components, it is a great choice as far as ringworm home remedies go.
Instructions
- Bring one cup water and five to six teaspoons licorice root powder to a boil in a saucepan on the stove.
- Simmer for 20 minutes before straining.
- Allow the solution to cool.
- Use a clean cotton ball to apply the licorice root water to the affected area.
- Apply the licorice root water three times a day until the infection disappears.
11. Iodine
Iodine is a good choice as far as home remedies for ringworm go because it contains antiseptic and antifungal properties. You can purchase a two percent iodine solution from your local drugstore. You should not use it more than three times each day.
Instructions
- Use an antibacterial soap to clean the affected area.
- Pat the area with a clean towel until it is dry.
- Use a clean cotton swab to apply iodine to the affected area.
- Repeat two to three times each day for the duration of three to four weeks.
12. Lavender Oil
Studies have shown that lavender oil destroys fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, and candidiasis. The antifungal properties of lavender oil make it one of the most effective home remedies for ringworm. Moreover, as an added bonus, many people find lavender oil effective for relieving stress, anxiety, and depression.
Instructions
- Combine 10 drops of lavender essential oil with one teaspoon olive oil.
- Use a clean cotton swab to apply the solution directly to the affected area.
- Repeat three times a day until you see improvement.
13. Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass tea is another one of the most effective home remedies for ringworm. It has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. Lemongrass oil applied topically helps relieve itchiness while drinking lemongrass tea flushes toxins out of your body.
Instructions
- Drink lemongrass tea three times each day.
- Apply lemongrass oil topically.
- Use a clean cotton swab to apply the solution directly to the affected area of your skin.
- Repeat three to four times each day until the infection clears.
14. Aloe Vera
As far as home remedies for ringworm go, aloe vera is an excellent choice because it has antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Aloe vera helps relieve irritated, itchy skin. Also, aloe plants are easy to take care of, and you can find them at your local nursery.
Instructions
- Cut open a leaf from an aloe plant, and squeeze the gel out.
- Apply the gel directly to the affected area of your skin.
- Repeat three times each day until the ringworm infection clears.
- You can use fresh aloe juice if you don’t have an aloe plant.
15. Coconut Oil
The lauric acid in coconut oil contains antifungal and antiviral properties. These properties help fight against ringworm and inhibit its growth. Coconut oil also soothes the skin, helping relieve pain and itchiness.
Instructions
- Wash the affected area and your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and warm water.
- Apply coconut oil directly onto the affected area of your skin.
- Massage the oil in.
- Repeat four times each day until you see improvement in the infection.
Ringworm is a fungal infection which is highly contagious, it can be uncomfortable and unpleasant. When you get it on the toes, it’s called the athlete’s foot, when it spreads to the groin, it’s known as jock itch. Here you can read more about home remedies for athlete’s foot. Hopefully, our home remedies for ringworm will help you get rid of the infection. If you know any other remedies, please feel free to comment bellow!
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