25 Proven Home Remedies for Ringworm

What is Ringworm?

You’ve most likely heard of ringworm, but what does it look like?

Ringworm is a type of fungus that can appear on the surface of your body.

It can range in size, but in most situations, you will notice a red ring on your skin that looks scaly, almost like the skin is peeling in that specific spot.

This fungal infection only affects your skin, and it is actually something that can easily be spread by skin to skin contact with an infected individual.

Sometimes ringworm can go by different names when the fungus is located on specific parts of your body.

For example, when you get ringworm on your feet, it is simply called athlete’s foot, and ringworm in your groin area is referred to as jock itch.

You can also get ringworm on your scalp; the fungus will be covered by your hair, but males can also get this fungus in their beard or mustache, which can be more difficult to cover up.

It can also develop in your fingernails and toenails, and it can thicken and potentially discolor the nails if it is not treated properly.

 

Signs and Symptoms

One of the first things that you will notice if you contract ringworm is the ringworm rash that forms at the site of the infection.

It is not a pretty sight, and it is basically a red ring that has itchy red patches in the center of the site.

The skin will appear to be peeling, and blisters can also form in the area that will ooze a clear liquid that can spread the infection.

The rash and the red patches can vary greatly in size and shape, but it will almost always be extremely itchy.

In fact, you may even experience some sensitivity around the area that is infected.

Depending on where your infection site is located, you may notice a slight discoloration of the area, as well as a loss of hair, especially if your scalp is infected.

 

How to Prevent Ringworm?

Ringworm is a fungal infection, so it only makes sense that reducing your exposure to the fungus is going to be the best way to prevent it.

That means minimizing contact with individuals who may have ringworm and with things that they use that could spread the infection.

This means that you should refrain from sharing personal items like towels and hair brushes.

Fungus thrives in warm, wet conditions, so you will want to minimize sweating to help prevent ringworm.

Wearing tight constricting clothing and undergarments can increase your chances of contracting the fungus, so you should wear breathable fabric when you are working out to safeguard yourself.

Pets can also contract ringworm, which means that when you are taking care of them, holding them, or cleaning up after them, you can get ringworm.

To prevent this, you will need to wear gloves when you are handling your pet, their bedding, and their toys.

You will need to vacuum your home often and disinfect the areas where your pet sleeps until a veterinarian can treat your pet.

 

Conventional Methods of Dealing with Ringworm

Once you find out that you have contracted ringworm, the next question is how to get rid of it.

Well, since you are dealing with a fungal infection, the most logical way to get rid of the ringworm rash is to use an antifungal treatment on the surface of your skin at the site of the infection.

These over-the-counter creams need to be applied on a daily basis for a period of at least two weeks before the fungal rash clears completely.

There are also systemic treatments that you can use when treating ringworm.

This form of treatment is only required if the fungal infection does not respond to the application of the topical antifungal cream.

These oral medications are typically only used when the scalp or the nails are infected, and they need to be taken for a period of three months to ensure that the fungus is completely gone from your system.

 

Home Remedies for Ringworm

Antifungal medication is not always the best way to treat ringworm, so there is a wide range of home remedies that have been found over the years to help minimize the effects of ringworm, inhibit further growth of the infection, and kill the fungus altogether.

Let’s take a look at some home remedies for ringworm.

 

Lemongrass Tea

If you want to know how to treat ringworm without using a topical paste or cream, then lemongrass tea is a great way to relieve your symptoms.

Lemongrass is naturally going to minimize the irritating itch caused by ringworm, and all you have to do is drink the tea three times a day to help.

You are going to want the tea to be strong, so make sure that you steep it for about three minutes.

You will also want to place the tea bags on the affected area for about 10 minutes, to help soothe your skin directly.

 

Garlic

Garlic is a spice that is good for your heart, your skin, and your body in general.

It has antifungal and antibacterial properties that will help heal and relieve your skin from the ringworm that is plaguing it.

In fact, the ajoene that can be found in the garlic is actually a very effective treatment that will help to prevent the fungus from infecting your skin in the first place.

You can simply slice a clove of garlic and put the freshly cut section on the affected area.

If you choose this method, you should cover the area and allow your skin to rest with the garlic on it overnight.

You can also mash the garlic in a garlic press before applying it to your skin.

 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an acid that is well known for its antifungal properties.

When you apply it directly to the infected area, it prohibits the fungus from growing, and will eventually eliminate the fungus completely.

Use a cotton ball to apply a few drops of apple cider vinegar to the area about three to four times a day.

You can also soak a small cloth with apple cider vinegar and place it on the area that is infected twice a day for at least half an hour at a time.

Since apple cider vinegar is very acidic, some people may have skin that is too sensitive for this home remedy application.

If you experience any burning or excessive itchiness after applying the apple cider vinegar, you should stop using it, and search for a solution that’s less harsh for your skin.

 

Garlic, Honey, and Olive Oil

Garlic, honey, and olive oil are all known to have antifungal properties, so it only makes sense that combining these three powerful ingredients into one mixture is going to be a great option for treating ringworm.

To make this mixture, you are going to need two cloves of fresh garlic.

The garlic will need to be peeled and crushed until it takes on a paste-like consistency using a mortar and pestle.

Once the garlic is the right consistency, you can add about three tablespoons of olive oil and three tablespoons of honey to the paste.

Apply the paste to the area on your skin that is infected, and cover it with a bandage for at least an hour.

Repeat this process at least two times a day over a period of two weeks.

 

Aloe Vera

If you have an Aloe Vera plant in your home, you know that the gel that is inside the plant can be used to heal burns, scrapes, and other skin ailments.

It has antifungal, antiseptic, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties that will help get rid of the itch and irritation that you are experiencing, as well as heal the ringworm itself.

All you need to do is cut a small section of a leaf off of your Aloe Vera plant, remove the gel from the leaf section, and apply it directly to the area that is affected by the ringworm.

Leave the gel on your skin for at least 20 minutes, and then wash with warm water.

This should be done three times a day, and if you do not have an Aloe Vera plant, you can also purchase Aloe Vera leaves or bottled gel at the store.

 

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is well known for its antiseptic and antifungal properties, which makes it a great option for a home remedy for someone with a ringworm infection.

This method requires you to place the essential oil directly on your skin, but tea tree oil can be quite strong when it is not diluted.

Mixing this oil with other oils will make it less effective against the fungus, but if you combine about a tablespoon and a half of the oil with a cup of warm water, it will still be an effective home remedy.

If the tea tree oil does not bother your skin, you can place a few drops on a cotton ball and rub it directly on the infected area.

This oil will need to be applied over a period of three to four weeks.

 

Goldenseal Tea

Goldenseal is an herb that has been used since ancient times to speed up the healing process of fungal infections and illnesses.

It can also help relieve the inflammation and the itch that can be caused by ringworm.

To create this home remedy, you will need to place five to six teaspoons of the herb into about a cup and a half of water.

Boil the water in a small pot for about 10 to 15 minutes, and then remove it from the heat until it reaches room temperature.

When the mixture is cool enough to put on your skin, you can apply it to the affected area using a cotton ball or a small cloth.

This mixture should be applied to your skin two to three times a day until the ringworm disappears.

 

Raw Papaya

If you are looking for a quick remedy, green papaya is going to be quite effective at healing a ringworm infection.

Raw papaya has enzymes in it that break down the old layers of skin where ringworm grows.

Papaya will also relieve the itching and inflammation that is often a symptom of ringworm.

This is a mild treatment, so you can use it on pets and children who have become infected, as well.

To use this method of treatment, you need to take the raw papaya and grind it into a paste.

Once the fruit is the right consistency, you can place it on the infected area for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Apply this paste two to three times a day.

You can also rub the papaya directly on the infected area.

 

Licorice

Licorice powder is a substance with antifungal properties that can help treat a fungal infection.

If you combine about six teaspoons of the powder with a cup of water, you will be able to create a paste that you can apply to the infected area.

When you combine these ingredients, you will want to do so in a small pot, because the mixture needs to come to a boil and simmer for a period of 15 minutes to create the right consistency.

Make sure to stir the mixture as it simmers.

Once the mixture cools to room temperature, you can apply it directly to the infected area three times a day.

 

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is a natural substance that is designed to help your body heal more efficiently, so it is a great option to fight against a fungal infection.

It can be purchased in either a gel or a liquid form, and regardless of which kind you choose for your home remedy, you will be able to apply it to the infected area with ease.

The gel can easily be rubbed onto the area that is infected, and the liquid can be poured onto a cotton ball and rubbed on your skin.

 

Vinegar and Salt Paste

White vinegar and salt can be combined to create a paste that will promote skin healing.

It is a home remedy that works great for anything that damages your skin, like sunburn and ringworm, and it will also help minimize the itchiness as it heals.

To create the paste you will combine a tablespoon of white vinegar with two and a half teaspoons of table salt.

Once the paste is the right consistency, you can apply it to the affected area and leave it for a period of five to ten minutes.

After the time has passed, you can rinse the paste off with warm water.

This treatment does not require many applications, but it should be done once a day for about a week.

 

Lavender

Lavender is a soothing essential oil that can be used to heal and restore the skin affected by ringworm.

It is gentle on your skin, so it is safe to use on children, though it should still be diluted with a carrier oil before applying it.

Jojoba oil is a great option to combine with lavender because it is also effective against fungal infections.

You only need five to 10 drops of each oil, and it can be applied to the infected area with a cotton ball, or you can also add the mixture to your bathwater.

 

Mustard Seed Paste

Mustard seeds are not going to cure your ringworm, but when you grind the seeds down into a paste, it can prevent the itch and the irritation that is typically associated with it.

When you scratch the infection, you have a higher chance of spreading it to other areas of your body, as well as to other people, so minimizing this risk will reduce the irritation that you are experiencing and help protect your skin.

All you need to do to create the paste is grind about a tablespoon of mustard seeds.

Once the seeds are ground up, add two tablespoons of water to create a paste-like consistency that you can apply to your skin.

Make sure to cover the infected area with a bandage for at least an hour after the paste is applied; this can be done two times each day.

 

Turmeric

Turmeric is more than a spice that flavors your food; it is also a very effective treatment that you can use to heal ringworm and keep it from spreading.

With this home remedy, you can grind turmeric root down into a powder, or simply use the powder to create a paste that you apply directly to the affected area of your skin.

Once it is in powder form, mix it with half of a teaspoon of water.

Use a cotton ball to apply the paste to the affected area, leaving it on your skin for about 15 minutes.

This should be done two to three times each day.

You should wash the turmeric off after the time has passed because turmeric will stain your skin.

If you are using turmeric oil, you can simply apply the oil to your skin.

 

Olive Leaf Extract

The leaf of an olive plant has a number of antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties that will encourage healing within your body and boost your immune system through the healing process.

For this home remedy, you are going to need to mix together a tablespoon of powdered olive leaf extract with a half of a teaspoon of olive oil.

You will need to combine the mixture thoroughly until it makes a paste.

Once it is the right consistency, you can apply it to the infected area.

This process should be done about two to three times a day for a week until the ringworm is gone.

If you prefer, you can take 250 mg of the olive leaf extract orally three times a day.

 

Myrrh

This is an herb that dates back to ancient times for its antifungal properties.

It also has antibacterial, antiviral, and astringent properties.

If you want to enhance the effect of the myrrh, you can add a bit of goldenseal to create a paste that will work well on the spot that is infected with the ringworm, but if you want to create a remedy using only myrrh, you can simply use myrrh oil.

Mix eight to 10 drops of the oil with about a half of a cup of water to dilute it before applying it to your skin.

Then, use a cotton ball to rub it on the infected area; this should be done two to three times daily until the ringworm is completely healed, which should be over a two week period.

If you create the paste, it should be applied the same way.

 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is very good for your skin, and the fact that it contains lauric acid means that it also has antifungal properties that will work wonders against ringworm.

The coconut oil will be very gentle on your skin, so you will be able to apply it directly to the infected area.

In addition, this method of treatment is also safe for children and pets, because it is so mild.

Once the oil is applied, massage it into your skin until it is all absorbed, which should take about three minutes.

This should be done about four times a day over a period of three weeks.

After the ringworm is gone, you should continue to apply this treatment once a week so that there is no chance of it coming back.

 

Holy Basil

Holy basil is another herb that is great for healing skin-based fungal infections.

Holy basil can be used in the extract form, or you can grind down the leaves and form a paste that you can then apply to your skin.

This remedy uses the leaves, but all you are doing is grinding them down to extract the juice so that you can apply it directly to your skin.

Apply the juice two times a day over a period of 10 days using a cotton ball or a small cloth.

 

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed can be used to boost your immune system and help your body heal, but if you apply it to the affected area, you will be able to soothe your skin and prevent the ringworm from spreading more.

Start with about four or five drops of grapefruit seed extract in a small bowl, and mix it with three teaspoons of warm water.

Once you create the mixture, you can easily apply it to the area of your skin that is affected by the ringworm with a cotton ball or a small cloth.

This should be done about two to three times a day.

Grapefruit seed extract can be a bit strong for sensitive skin, so you can add a bit more water to the mixture if it irritates your skin, or makes the rash itch more.

 

Camphor

Camphor is a well-known ingredient that is used in Chinese medicine healing remedies.

You can apply the powder directly to the infected site, or you can combine it with a carrier oil to create a paste that will stick to your skin a bit more easily.

Typically, sesame oil is used in combination with the camphor powder, but you can use any carrier oil that you prefer.

If you make the paste to apply to your skin, you will only need to use a teaspoon of oil and a pinch of the camphor powder.

Apply the mixture to your skin using a cotton ball, and repeat the application about two to three times each day.

Camphor cannot be taken orally because it is toxic to your system if ingested, so make sure not to use it on your pets that have fungus.

 

Neem

Neem has been used for internal healing for centuries because it has antibacterial and antifungal properties that speed up the healing process.

The oil from the plant can be used as well as the leaves, so whichever form you have on hand, you can use.

If you are using the leaves, you can grind them down into a powder, and then mix the powder with a teaspoon of warm water.

This will create a paste that you can apply topically to the infected area.

This paste should be rubbed on your skin at least three to four times each day while you have a visible rash from the ringworm infection.

If you are using the oil form of the neem, simply dilute it with a few drops of carrier oil and apply it three times a day, as well.

 

Lemongrass Leaf Paste

Lemongrass is a healing remedy that is often used in Southeast Asia because of its antifungal and antiseptic qualities.

The lemongrass paste alone is great for soothing and healing the symptoms of ringworm, but if you add a bit of buttermilk to the paste, it will speed up the healing process.

To create this home remedy, you will need to grind a cup full of dried lemongrass leaves using a mortar and pestle.

Mix the powder with about two tablespoons of buttermilk to create a paste.

Apply the paste to the affected area of your skin, and leave it there for about half an hour before removing it.

This should be done about three times a day until all signs of the ringworm are gone.

Typically, this will take about two weeks to heal fully, but it will vary for each individual.

 

Iodine

Iodine tincture is a great way to treat ringworm, as well.

It has a number of antibacterial agents, in addition to the ability to minimize the inflammation that you experience with ringworm.

All you need to do to apply this remedy is to swab the iodine directly on the infected area.

You should only put it on your skin two times a day with a cotton ball or a small cloth.

Once the iodine is applied, cover the area with a bandage.

Iodine can be dangerous in high doses, so make sure that you do not apply it to your skin more than three times a day.

 

Oregano Oil

Oregano oil is a great remedy to use against ringworm because it has a number of antifungal and antibiotic properties.

This means that when you apply it to the infected area topically, it quickly clears up the rash and the underlying cause of the ringworm.

Oregano oil is 64 percent thymol, which is highly effective against fungal infections, so it should do the job.

However, oregano oil is quite strong, so you will want to dilute it a bit before you rub it directly on your skin.

Typically, you will want to combine 10 drops of oil with a cup of water.

You can also take the oregano oil orally if you prefer; the entire cup should be taken three times a day until the ringworm has healed completely.

 

Combination of Essential Oils

We just discussed using oregano oil as a home remedy for ringworm, but if you combine the oil with other essential oils, it can speed up the healing process quite a bit.

A good combination to try requires five drops of oregano oil, five drops of rosemary oil, two drops of wild thyme, and three tablespoons of sweet almond oil.

Coconut oil and olive oil can be used instead if you prefer.

Once the oils are combined, you will be able simply to dip a cotton ball into the mixture and apply it to your skin where the ringworm can be seen.

You should apply these essential oils to your skin three to four times a day until the rash vanishes from your skin.

If the oils are too strong for you, try diluting them a little more with the sweet almond oil.

 

Do’s and Don’ts

When you have ringworm, it’s important to keep up your personal hygiene.

Wash frequently and clean your clothes separately from others’ so that you don’t spread the fungus to them.

Additionally, intimate contact is not suggested; ringworm spreads easily, so avoid sex, general touching, and sharing items with others, so that you don’t cause them an uncomfortable infection.

Also, use antifungal cream to clear up the infection as fast as possible.

Some doctors may even prescribe oral antifungal treatments in order to clear up the infection.

This is a condition that requires the utmost care, so don’t simply cover up the infection site with bandages or gauze pads.

Additionally, never scratch the infected area; this is a good way to spread the condition to various parts of your body, and to others.

Also, never share towels or washcloths.

Finally, never shave the infected area, especially if other people in the family may be using the shaving implements.

 

Conclusion

Fortunately, there are a lot of effective home remedies for ringworm infection, and hopefully, this guide has provided you with tips on how to get rid of it.

Ringworm isn’t just a condition that affects kids, and a good part of the ringworm management process is the prevention of its spreading, so treat it as effectively and as quickly as possible.

When you have ringworm, it isn’t always as obvious as you might expect, so try these homemade remedies if you suspect you have the condition; each is safe and has a wide variety of health benefits.

You may even want to combine a few of these home remedies to get the most effective treatment.