Ringworm is a fungal infection that grows on the top layer of the skin that appears on various parts of the body. Ringworm can cause athlete's foot (athlete's foot or tinea pedis), jock itch or tinea cruris and almost all fungal infections of the scalp (tinea capitis). Ringworm has nothing to do with worms, although the rash forms a circle and looks like a reddish worm. This condition is usually itchy (but not always) and can spread through skin-to-skin contact. Ordinary medicines cannot treat ringworm in a natural way, although some herbal remedies are worth trying. If these medications don't work, you can use over-the-counter lotions or creams that contain clotrimazole, miconazole, or other similar antifungal drugs.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Trying Herbal Medicine
Step 1. Apply tea tree oil on the rash
Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of the tea tree (a tree native to Australia). This oil has been used for generations in the form of an ointment to treat various wounds and skin infections, including bacterial and fungal. Research shows that tea tree oil applied to the skin is an effective remedy for ringworm, especially for athlete's foot (tinea pedis). A topical cream containing 10% tea tree oil can reduce scaly skin, inflammation, itching and burning sensation in athlete's foot. However, you will need a stronger drug (at least 25%) to treat the rash.
- You may have to apply tea tree oil 3 times a day for 4 weeks to get rid of ringworm. Keep in mind that this oil has a strong odor, similar to that of pine trees.
- A concentrated solution of tea tree oil does not seem to be as effective as antifungal creams containing terbinafine or clotrimazole.
Step 2. Try using grape seed extract
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) is made from the seeds, flesh and white membrane of grapes. This extract has antimicrobial properties, and has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sometimes GSE is very effective at treating Candida yeast (fungal) infections, although there are no studies showing that this ingredient is useful for treating ringworm infections. Apart from this, this ingredient is safe if consumed or applied to the skin. So you deserve to give it a try.
- GSE can be applied to the skin and scalp safely, and is usually used as an ingredient in natural shampoos. Let this extract soak into your scalp for at least 5 minutes before you rinse it off.
- Make your own grape juice and add some glycerol, or buy one at a drugstore that sells herbal remedies. Apply it on the ringworm 3 to 5 times a day for up to a week and see if your ringworm reduces significantly.
Step 3. Rub fresh garlic on the skin
Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which has medicinal properties, which can be used as a natural antibacterial and antifungal remedy. Several studies report that garlic oil/gel is very useful for treating various ringworm infections, such as jock itch and athlete's foot. Rub garlic oil on the rash 3 to 5 times a day for up to a week and see how it develops. If there is progress, but the ringworm has not gone away, continue for another week.
- You can make your own garlic oil at home by crushing fresh garlic. You can also buy them at drugstores that sell herbal medicines.
- The downside of using fresh garlic is its pungent smell. Garlic can also cause itching and irritation in sensitive people.
- Try putting it on your athlete's foot at night, then wearing socks to keep the garlic from slipping off your feet.
Step 4. Bathe with borax
Borax powder, also known as sodium borate, is commonly used as an insecticide and detergent. This material contains an important boric acid salt compound and contains a lot of the mineral boron. Borax has many uses and properties, including a powerful antifungal. Borax is used to treat Candida skin infections, so borax may be effective for treating ringworm. Put a few cups of borax powder in the bath and soak your whole body for 15 to 20 minutes. Add a spoon or two of a warm foot bath if you want to get rid of athlete's foot.
- Borax powder is made of soft white crystals that are easily soluble in water. Borax has a very mild chemical odor and is non-irritating to the skin.
- Make a more concentrated solution (or paste) and apply it to the ringworm infection on your scalp. Allow to soak for at least 5 minutes before rinsing.
Step 5. Experiment with colloidal silver
Silver solutions and compounds have long been used to kill microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Before penicillin was discovered, silver preparations were commonly used and were widely praised by doctors. Colloidal silver solutions are tasteless and odorless, and contain groups of silver atoms suspended in distilled water. Silver is highly lethal to a number of yeasts and molds, although there have been no studies on its effectiveness against ringworm. Given its long history of use and its extremely safe use, this ingredient is well worth a try.
- Colloidal silver can be purchased at health food stores. Purchase a solution containing between 5 and 10 ppm (parts per million) silver. Stronger solutions are not as potent, but are definitely more expensive.
- Apply or spray the silver on the rash 3 to 5 times a day for a few weeks, and see if it's effective.
- You can easily make your own colloidal silver at home and save money, although you'll need equipment costs between 650 thousand and over 1 million rupiah to get started.
- Colloidal silver will not make the skin turn blue if it does not contain protein.
Part 2 of 2: Keeping Clean and Taking Precautions
Step 1. Keep skin clean and dry
Ringworm is often spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Therefore, keep the skin clean so that the fungus does not grow and stick to the skin. Fungi also like damp and dark places, so it's important to keep your skin dry, especially the feet area after you shower. Regular bathing with soap and water is usually sufficient to prevent ringworm infection.
- Always wear protective feet (sandals or sandals) when you shower in public, such as at the gym or swimming pool, so you don't catch athlete's foot.
- After reproducing on the skin, the ringworm fungus digs deeper and forms flat, scaly areas that can be red and itchy. This spot then grows wider by forming a round ring.
Step 2. Wash clothes, towels and bed sheets regularly
Ringworm can also be spread through contact with infected clothing, blankets, and toiletries. Therefore, if you have come into contact with a person infected with ringworm, wash your clothes immediately. If your partner has a yeast infection, wash towels and bed sheets regularly to reduce the risk of contracting ringworm.
- Wash clothes, towels, and bed linens with borax powder in hot water to kill the mildew. Chlorine bleach and benzalkonium chloride are also good fungicides.
- Do not share personal items such as shoes, clothes, towels and combs to reduce the risk of contracting ringworm.
Step 3. Don't touch a pet whose hair is shedding and spotting
Ringworm can also be spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with infected pets and other animals. Usually, the fungus is often spread when you are around and caring for your pet dog or cat. This is also common in cattle and other livestock. Therefore, do not touch pets or other animals that have signs of ringworm: i.e., patches on the skin where their hair has fallen out. Infected skin will also be scaly, red and irritated.
- Always wash your hands after touching pets or other animals, especially before eating and before going to bed.
- Sleeping with pets increases the risk of contracting ringworm and other skin diseases because of their close proximity.
- If your pet has ringworm, wear latex gloves and a long-sleeved shirt when grooming the animal and vacuum the areas of the house that your pet frequents regularly.
Tips
- Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) and jock itch (tinea cruris) can usually be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams, lotions, or powders that are applied directly to the skin for 2 to 4 weeks. Some commonly used antifungal drugs include clotrimazole, terbinafine, miconazole, and ketoconazole.
- Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) is more difficult to treat and usually requires a prescription antifungal medication, such as griseofulvin, fluconazole, or itraconazole, which are oral medications that must be taken for 1 to 3 months. Medications in the form of creams, lotions, or powders usually do not cure scalp infections.
- Call your doctor if your rash doesn't get better after 4 weeks of self-medication.
