How To Get Rid Of Ringworms In South Africa
Overview
Despite its name, ringworm isn’t actually caused by a worm or any type of living parasite. Instead, it’s a skin condition that’s caused by a type of fungus called tinea. It lives on the dead tissues of skin, including your nails and hair.
Ringworm causes a red, scaly, itchy patch on your skin. Over time, it takes the shape of a circle or a ring (or several rings). This is where the name “ringworm” comes from.
You can get ringworm on your skin and nails. It’s most common on the arms and the scalp, but you can get it anywhere on your skin, including your face. If ringworm develops in different areas, it may be called by a different name. For example, when it affects the groin area, it’s referred to as jock itch. When it affects the area between your toes, it’s called athlete’s foot.
Fortunately, ringworm can respond well to home treatments.
How To Get Rid Of Ringworms In South Africa
Treating ringworm
A ringworm rash can be uncomfortable, but it is common and treatable. Early intervention is critical to prevent spreading the infection to others. Here are six simple ways to treat ringworm.
1. Apply a topical antifungal
Most cases of ringworm can be treated at home. Over-the-counter antifungals can kill the fungus and promote healing. Effective medications include miconazole (Cruex), clotrimazole (Desenex) and terbinafine (Lamisil).
After cleaning the rash, apply a thin layer of antifungal medication to the affected area 2 to 3 times per day or as directed by the package. Spread the treatment beyond the border of the rash by a couple of centimeters and allow the medication to absorb into your skin.
Shop for the following products online:
- Antifungal cream
- Antifungal lotion
- Antifungal powder
2. Let it breathe
It may seem logical to keep ringworm covered with a bandage to prevent spreading the infection. However, bandaging the rash locks in moisture and slows the healing process.
Instead, wear comfortable, breathable clothes to speed healing and avoid spreading the rash to other people. This includes loose-fitting, long-sleeve shirts and pants.
3. Wash bedding daily
Because ringworm is highly contagious, you should wash your sheets daily to get rid of the infection faster. Fungal spores can transfer to your sheets and comforter. If you sleep on the same sheets night after night, it can take longer for ringworm to heal, and the infection can spread to other parts of your body. Contaminated bedding can also infect your partner.
Use hot water and detergent when washing bedding and any infected clothes. Hot water alone can kill the fungus. As an extra precaution, add borax or bleach to your wash along with regular laundry detergent.
Borax and bleach can be purchased from a grocery store, and they also kill fungal spores. Follow the directions on the package.
4. Change wet underwear and socks
If ringworm develops on your feet or groin area, keep these areas dry. If you sweat a lot during the day, bathe with an antifungal cleansing bar and then reapply your antifungal powder or lotion. Make sure the area is completely dry before putting on a new pair of underwear or socks.
5. Use an antifungal shampoo
Sometimes, ringworm develops on the scalp. Symptoms of a scalp infection include severe itching, patches of hair loss, scalp boils, and severe dandruff. If you have ringworm on your scalp, wash your hair with an over-the-counter medicated antifungal shampoo.
These shampoos kill bacteria and fungus on the scalp and stop inflammation. You can purchase them from a grocery store or drugstore. Look for shampoos with antifungal active ingredients, such as ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, and pyrithione zinc. Use shampoos according to the directions on the package.
However, be aware that scalp fungus is nearly impossible to eliminate without oral medications.
Shop for medicated antifungal shampoo online.
6. Take a prescription antifungal
Continue treatment with an antifungal powder, cream, or shampoo until the rash completely disappears. The infection may return if you stop treatment too soon. See a doctor if the rash doesn’t go away after two weeks of home treatment. A ringworm infection that doesn’t improve or that spreads may require a prescription-strength topical cream or oral antifungal medication.
Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or see a dermatologist. Take the prescription medication as directed by your doctor. You may have to take the prescription for weeks to months, depending on the severity of the infection.
Home Remedies for Ringworm
A note about essential oils
Several essential oils, listed below, can help treat ringworm. When using essential oils, test that you’re not allergic to them first. Dilute the essential oil by adding three to five drops per ounce of a carrier oil such as olive or mineral oil. Then, rub it onto healthy skin in an area the size of a dime. If you have no reaction in 12 to 24 hours, it should be safe to use on your infection.
1. Soap and water
When you have ringworm, you need to keep the area as clean as possible. This helps prevent the further spread of the rash and helps keep the affected area under control.
Wash the affected area with water and antibacterial soap daily before applying other home remedies on top of it. Dry the area thoroughly after showering, as moisture makes it easier for the fungus to spread.
Pine and coal-tar soap are older home remedies that might be an option, but they can be irritating to sensitive skin.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has strong antifungal properties, so it may help treat ringworm when applied topically to the affected area. To use it, soak a cotton ball in undiluted apple cider vinegar and brush the cotton ball over your skin. Do this three times per day.
3. Tea tree oil
Native Australians conventionally used tea tree oil as an antifungal and antibacterial, and it’s used today for the same purposes. It can be extremely effective in treating fungal skin infections.
Apply tea tree oil directly to the affected area two or three times per day with a cotton ball or swab. If you have sensitive skin, it may be helpful to dilute the tea tree oil in a carrier oil like coconut oil, which has its own antifungal benefits.
4. Coconut oil
Coconut oil has both microbial and antifungal properties that can help treat ringworm infections. It’s an extremely effective topical home remedy for ringworm and infections with other fungi, like candida. Because it’s easy to apply to the scalp and an effective hair conditioner, coconut oil could be an ideal treatment for scalp ringworm.
To use it, warm the coconut oil either in the microwave or in your hand until it becomes liquid, then apply it directly to the affected area. It will absorb into the skin quickly. Apply it at least three times daily.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric has numerous health benefits, including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also an effective antifungal that inhibits growth.
Combine fresh-ground turmeric, or the turmeric spice, with a small amount of water and mix until it becomes a paste. Apply it to your skin and leave it on until it dries. You can also drink turmeric water or turmeric tea daily to get the internal benefits.
6. Aloe vera
Aloe vera has long been used as a natural remedy for both bacterial and fungal infections, and ringworm is no exception. Aloe vera can treat the ringworm and may soothe symptoms of itchiness, inflammation, and discomfort. You can find ointments with aloe vera or apply aloe vera gel directly to the area. Do this at least three times daily.
7. Oregano oil
Oregano essential oil may be a more powerful antifungal than other commercial products that are available, and can inhibit and treat fungal skin infections, including athlete’s foot and ringworm.
Oregano oil is an extract that you can purchase online or at stores like GNC. Mix a few drops with a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil, and apply it to the affected area three times per day.
8. Lemongrass oil or tea
Lemongrass oil extract, and to a slightly lesser extent lemongrass tea, both have antifungal properties that can be helpful in treating fungal skin infections like ringworm.
To use lemongrass oil, mix a few drops of lemongrass oil with a carrier oil. Apply it directly to the skin twice per day. You can also apply a brewed tea bag directly to the ringworm.
9. Powdered licorice
Licorice has strong antimicrobial properties, and research has found that the extracts of licorice could be used as alterative treatment for fungal infections.
Mix eight teaspoons of powdered licorice with a cup of water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for ten minutes. Stir until it makes a paste. When the mixture is cool enough to touch, apply the paste to the affected area twice daily. Leave it on for at least ten minutes.
OTC antifungals
While all-natural ingredients are great, sometimes you need something a little stronger. OTC antifungal topical remedies are available and effective for mild cases of ringworm. Look for the active ingredients clotrimazole and terbinafine. You can apply these ointments twice per day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you get rid of ringworm fast?
Ringworm is treated with antifungal medicines that you either rub on the skin or take by mouth. Ringworm of the scalp is treated with a special shampoo and an oral antifungal medicine. You may have to keep using whatever medicine you’re prescribed for several weeks to fully get rid of the infection.
How long does ringworm last?
How Long Does Ringworm Last? Most mild cases of ringworm usually clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. But treatment might be needed for up to 3 months if the infection is more serious, or affects the nails or the scalp.
What causes ringworms on the body?
Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection caused by common mold-like parasites that live on the cells in the outer layer of your skin. It can be spread in the following ways: Human to human. Ringworm often spreads by direct, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
How do I stop ringworm from spreading?
Wash your hands after touching any part of your body with ringworm. This can prevent the spread of infection to other areas. Keep all infected areas clean and dry. When showering, wash affected areas and dry them with a clean towel.
Does ringworm go away by itself?
There’s no set time limit for a ringworm infection. Without treatment, it may go away on its own in a matter of months in a healthy person. Or it may not. Ringworm on the body is usually treated with a topical ointment such as terbinafine.
Can ringworm make you sick?
The risk of any serious illness is very small. However, without treatment, ringworm can spread from one part of the body to another. If the skin is broken, bacteria may enter and cause an infection.
What does a ringworm look like?
Ringworm of the Body (Tinea Corporis)
When fungus affects the skin of the body, it often produces itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches often have sharply defined edges. They are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center, creating the appearance of a ring
What happens if ringworm goes untreated in humans?
If left untreated, ringworm can spread to other areas of your body. You may also risk spreading the infection to someone else. Other potential complications include: hair loss and scarring.
Is ringworm caused from being dirty?
Ringworm is an infection on the surface of the skin that is caused by a fungus. It is common in children but can also occur in adults. It is usually passed by direct skin contact with another person who has ringworm or by touching a contaminated surface such as dirty clothing or towels.
What food causes ringworm?
In natural medicine, it is generally believed that the fungal (yeast) organisms responsible for infections such as ringworm thrive on foods containing sugar (including the sugar in fruit), refined carbohydrates (like pasta and white rice) and foods that are mouldy, yeasty or fermented (most breads, aged cheeses, dried
How serious is ringworm?
Despite its name, ringworm doesn’t have anything to do with worms. Other similar fungal infections can affect the scalp, feet, groin and nails. These fungal infections, medically known as “tinea”, are not serious and are usually easily treated. However, they are contagious and easily spread.
How long will ringworm last if untreated?
Without treatment, most cases of ringworm would disappear on their own within several months, but they can become chronic. Ringworm symptoms usually disappear quickly with treatment, but the treatment may need to be continued for two to four weeks to eliminate all of the fungus.
What can be mistaken for ringworm?
There are a variety of ringworm imposters that could be causing you or your child’s rash. The two most common conditions are nummular eczema and granuloma annulare. Nummular eczema causes circular patches of dry skin that can burn or become dry and scaly.
Does ringworm leave a scar?
Ringworm is a round red or discolored rash caused by a common fungal infection. While most people heal from ringworm without any lasting effects, a few people may experience permanent scarring. While these scars usually fade over time, there are several things you can do to prevent or minimize their appearance.
Why are ringworms itchy?
Ringworm attacks dead tissues in places like the hair, nails, and leftover dandruff. But our bodies’ immune reactions and local bacterial infections enable ringworm to turn healthy, living skin red and itchy.