Contrary to its name, ringworm is not a disease caused by worms. Instead, this infection, also called ringworm, is caused by a fungal growth that gives the skin a round, ring-shaped rash. This type of infection can cause discomfort and often affects children. Read this article for some powerful tips for treating ringworm infections and/or reducing the risk of spreading them!
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Method 1 of 3: Performing Medical Treatment
Step 1. Use over-the-counter creams or powders
Most cases of mild ringworm infection can be treated with over-the-counter medications, either in cream or powder form, such as clotrimazole, tolnaftate, miconazole, and terbinafine. You can buy these drugs without a doctor's prescription at the pharmacy. If you want, you can also take your child to the doctor first to get appropriate treatment recommendations.
- The cream can be applied two to three times a day, for one to two weeks.
- If the rash has spread or the child's condition does not improve, take him to the doctor immediately!
Step 2. Purchase an antifungal medication
If your child's condition doesn't improve after using over-the-counter or natural medications, the doctor will likely prescribe a higher dose of antifungal medication that is more effective at killing the fungus. Generally, the drug is in the form of a tablet or liquid that will spread throughout the body and kill the remaining fungus.
- Chances are, your child will need to take medication regularly for several weeks.
- Oral medication may need to be taken by children who have ringworm infections of the scalp or nails. Generally, treatment needs to be done for six weeks to several months.
Step 3. Use a special shampoo
If an infection affects the scalp, which is common in toddlers and young children, try treating and preventing the infection from spreading with a special shampoo.
The same shampoo should also be used by family members who are at risk of infection. Instead, they should also see a doctor to detect the presence or absence of ringworm infection symptoms that appear
Step 4. Take the child to the doctor
Most ringworm infections can be treated with natural remedies. However, if the child's condition does not improve after one week of using over-the-counter or herbal medicines, the rash persists after one week, or does not go away after one month, see a doctor immediately. Although contagious and makes children feel uncomfortable, ringworm infection is actually not dangerous.
- Call your doctor immediately if the rash oozes pus.
- Also call your doctor if a rash appears on the scalp or if there are more than three.
- Because ringworm infection is highly contagious, keep your child away from other children before starting treatment. In addition, also change the sheets every day and provide separate towels for the child until the rash is completely gone.
- After treatment, children can return to school or hang out with their peers. To reduce the risk of spreading, try covering the area of the skin affected by the rash.
Method 2 of 3: Using Natural Medicines
Step 1. Use garlic
Garlic has antifungal properties that come from its two main components, ajoene and allicin. At least, one study showed that garlic was more effective than terbinafine when it came to treating ringworm infections.
- Crush two to three cloves of garlic (or more if the rash is severe), then mix it with a solvent oil such as almond or castor. After that, apply the oil and onion mixture to the rash, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Do the process two to three times a day, and be prepared to inhale the sharp and unpleasant aroma. If irritation occurs, try changing the type of solvent oil used. If irritation persists, reduce the amount of onion or try another method.
- Another method you can try is to use garlic oil. Mix four to five drops of garlic oil with 4 tbsp. solvent oil. Then, apply the mixture to the rash, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Do the process two to three times a day.
Step 2. Use tea tree oil
Did you know that Australian tea leaves contain an oil that, among other benefits, is effective at eradicating ringworm infection-causing fungi? For young children, be careful not to ingest tea tree oil, and always keep the child's mouth away from the area of the skin affected by the rash.
- Mix tea tree oil and castor or almond oil in a 1:1 ratio. For example, mix 1 tsp. tea tree oil with 1 tsp. solvent oil.
- Apply the mixture to the rash on the skin, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Do the process two to three times a day. Be prepared to inhale the sharp and unpleasant aroma, yes!
- If your skin is irritated, reduce the amount of tea tree oil. For example, simply mix 1 tsp. tea tree oil with 2 tsp. solvent oil, or try changing the type of solvent oil used. If the irritation doesn't subside, try another method.
Step 3. Try using apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has often been used as a natural remedy to treat various health problems. Its effectiveness for treating ringworm infections is also quite high, mainly because ringworm fungi cannot survive in an acidic environment.
- Try applying apple cider vinegar to a small area of skin first, to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction. If it turns out to be safe for your skin, don't hesitate to apply apple cider vinegar to all parts of the infected skin.
- Soak a towel in apple cider vinegar, and apply it directly to the rash on the skin for 30 minutes. After that, rinse with warm water and repeat the process twice a day. Don't worry if your skin feels a little stinging or stinging the first time you come into contact with apple cider vinegar; This condition is very reasonable.
Step 4. Try using lavender oil
Lavender oil is proven to have antifungal properties and is often used as a traditional medicine to treat fungal infections and various skin problems. This method is especially recommended for children who generally like the scent of lavender. After all, the scent of lavender can also have a calming effect on most children.
- Mix one to two drops of lavender oil with 1 tbsp. castor or jojoba oil. Apply the mixture to the rash on the skin, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Do the process two to three times a day.
- If irritation occurs, reduce the amount of lavender oil used. Try using one drop of lavender oil for every 1 tbsp. oil, or one to two drops of lavender oil for every two to 3 tbsp. castor or jojoba oil.
- Recent research has shown that a mixture of tea tree oil and lavender is a very effective combination for eradicating ringworm infections! To make it, you just need to mix two drops of lavender oil with 2 tbsp. tea tree oil. Then, dilute the solution by adding 2 tbsp. castor oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil. Apply the oil mixture to the infected skin, and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Do the process two to three times a day.
Step 5. Use coconut oil
Coconut oil has antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-viral properties. In particular, the antifungal substance in coconut oil comes from the content of medium-chain fatty acids which have been shown to be effective in killing various types of fungi.
- Buy coconut oil that is still raw and has not gone through the hydrogenation process.
- Apply coconut oil using your hands or a cotton swab to the infected skin while lightly massaging. Leave overnight.
- Do this method every day.
Method 3 of 3: Understanding Ringworm Disease
Step 1. Recognize ringworm infection
Ringworm is a type of fungal infection of the skin. Because the rash caused is round with red edges and a paler inside, the name ringworm has emerged. Ringworm infections can also occur in various parts of the skin.
- On the head, ringworm infection generally appears in the form of hair loss in certain areas. The funny thing is, the area of the scalp that falls out will be round and often feels scaly.
- The medical term for ringworm is Tinea. Ringworm infection that attacks the skin of the body is known as tinea corporis, while ringworm infection that attacks the scalp is called tinea capitis. In addition, there is also a fungal infection that attacks the genital area and is known as tinea cruris, and a fungal infection that attacks the feet (water fleas) is known as tinea pedis.
- Generally, ringworm infections are caused by the fungus Trichophyton rubrum. Other types of fungi that may cause ringworm infections are microsporum and epidermophyton.
Step 2. Understand the conditions that allow ringworm infection to occur
In fact, ringworm is a very common infection in children, especially those under the age of 15. However, this infection can actually happen to anyone and is very contagious!
- Some of the risk factors for ringworm infection are being in a humid environment, interacting directly with people who are already infected, doing sports that can make a child's skin come into contact with other people's skin, and wearing clothing that is too closed.
- Ringworm infections can also affect dogs and cats. Also understand that animals can transmit their infections to humans.
Step 3. Recognize the symptoms of ringworm
In fact, ringworm infection is very easy to recognize because the affected skin will appear to have a round rash with red edges and a paler interior. Generally, ringworm infection will make the skin itchy and swollen.
- In addition, the red edges of the rash will appear slightly raised, and the skin affected by the rash will generally look scaly.
- Because of the itching it causes, people with ringworm infection are often unable to resist the urge to scratch their skin. As a result, the skin will usually experience scratching scars.
