Characterized by a red circular rash with a clear spot of skin in the middle, ringworm is a fungal infection. It develops on the top layer of skin and is often passed from person to person with direct skin contact with an infected animal or person. There are several home treatments and medications that can be used to treat ringworm.

Use Beneficial Herbs

Chamomile

Chamomile tea can be used as both an oral and topical treatment for ringworm. It can be a drink three times daily, or you can apply the tea to the ringworm, three times a day, using a cotton ball.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal can be used in several ways to treat ringworm. You can add five drops to juice and drink it three times daily. A tea can be made by simmering six teaspoons of the dried herb for about 20 minute, then strain out the herbs and put the tea on the affected area three times daily. The powder of goldenseal can also be used to dust your shoes, socks and feet twice a day.

Licorice

With 25 fungicidal substances, licorice is a powerful remedy for ringworm. Make a tea by putting 6 teaspoons of powdered licorice root in a cup of boiling water and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the herbs and apply to the infection three times daily using a cotton ball.

Try Daily Food

Ginger

Ginger tea can also be used as a topical or oral treatment for ringworm. To make the tea, simmer 8 ounces of water with 2 ounces of ginger root for 20 minutes. You can either drink the tea or make a compress by soaking cotton in the tea and applying it to the affected skin three times daily.

Garlic

Garlic is amazing as an anti-fungal treatment. Studies have proven that people who take garlic have a large amount of anti-fungal activity in their blood. You can consume six teaspoons of garlic extract each day or you can put raw garlic in a blender and using a cotton ball, apply the paste directly to the infection three times daily.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a blood pressure treatment as well as ringworm. Use a cotton ball to apply the cider directly to the ringworm three to five times daily for one to three days.

Aloe Vera

Although aloe vera is best known for its treatment of sunburns, it can also be used as a treatment for ringworm. Just put the juice directly on the infection until it is gone.

Apply Essential Oils

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree oil has been used for years in the treatment of burns, infections and cuts. Use it as a home remedy by making a 50/50 mixture of tea tree oil and water. It can be applied two times a day and an improvement should be noticed within four weeks.

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil contains strong anti-fungal ingredients. The oil kills fungal infections that include athlete’s foot, candidiasis, and ringworm.

Take Medical Treatments

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is an anti-biotic that is natural and is also effective against many dangerous microorganisms. It can be used as a topical medication for ringworm by just spraying or rubbing it on the infection two times a day until the infection is gone.

Antifungal Drugs

Many topical treatments for ringworm are available without a prescription. These include Monistat, Bentax, Lamisil, Lotrimin, Tinactin, and Micatin. Medications like these contain clotrimazole, terbinafine, tolnaftate, miconazole.

Ketoconazole Medications

Medications that contain ketoconzole can be really effective when treating ringworm.

Oral Lamisil and Griseofulvin

If the ringworm infection has affected the fingernails, an oral medication must be used to destroy the infection. Both Lamisil and Griseofulvin are oral options to try.

Nizoral Shampoo

This shampoo contains ketoconazole and should be used two or three times a week to be sure the ringworm infection is gone. Use the shampoo on the scalp and the entire body to kill the infection.

Hydrochloride Cream

This cream, Lamisil, can be very effective in treating ringworm infections. It needs to be used daily and applied directly to clean, dry skin.

Preventive Measures

• After showering, be sure to completely dry your body and to dry your feet last.
• Do not share sheets, towels, clothes or any sports gear. If you suspect you may have been exposed, purchase a special anti-fungus soap and wash your clothes in hot water.
• Be sure to shampoo and shower completely after any sport that has skin-to-skin contact.
• When using public bathing areas, wear sandals or slippers.
• If your pet develops any patches of missing hair, this could be a sign of an infection and you should take it to the vet.
• At least one time each day, change your underwear and socks. Plan to wear loose-fitting cotton clothing.
• Put your socks on before you underwear, if you have athlete’s foot, so you do not spread the fungi to your groin.