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Natural Treatment for Ringworms
What caused ring worms and how do you get rid of them?
(12 Jan 2011)
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Ringworm, also known as tinea, is a fungal infection of the skin or of the scalp. Though its name is ringworm, it is not caused by a worm but by a fungus called dermatophyte. Ringworms affect feet, toes, skin and fingers.
Ringworms cause the skin to get itchy and inflamed in round, red rashes. There can even be round patches of temporary baldness. As the infection spreads, the center area of the baldness clears.
The causes of ringworms are largely due to the lack of hygiene which leads to a transmitting of the fungus from an infected person to a person who does not have the infection. These mold-like fungi cause a largely peripheral infection. They do not invade deeper organs and tend to grown on drier parts of the skin.
There are different types of ringworm infection. Tinea corporis which affects the skin; Tinea cruris which affects the groin and thighs; Tinea faciei where the infection spreads on the face; Tinea manus when the ringworm infection appears on the hands especially between the spaces of the fingers and the palm; Tinea pedis is scaling and inflammation between the toes and Tinea unguium which is fungal infection of the nails.
Ringworm infections can be passed on by animals too. There are many home remedies for ringworms in humans.
These home remedies for ringworms that use ingredients from your kitchen and do not have side effects. Rubbing a slice of papaya on the infected areas can provide relief. A paste of papaya seeds will also help.
Another beneficial natural treatment for ringworm is a paste of mustard seeds. Grind a paste, apply it on the lesions and leave on for some time. Wash with warm water. Repeat this till the lesion starts to shrink. The leaves of the cassia tree also relieve irritation and itchiness. The juice of holy basil leaves is another home remedy for ringworm. Raw turmeric has also proved beneficial. You can have a teaspoon of turmeric juice with honey to rid yourself completely of the infection.
Raw vegetable juices also help cure the infection of ringworm. Try combinations of raw carrot and spinach juice. You can use these natural treatments to get rid of the ringworms. If your symptoms get worse, do not continue applying the home remedy and show it to a doctor instead.
Another helpful home remedy is the application of coconut oil which keeps the skin moist, relieving the symptoms of itching and soreness. Tea tree oil has also been known to help the infected areas. Vinegar has also worked in some cases of ringworm. Seeds of lavender, in paste form, have also been known to relieve the ringworm symptoms in humans. Dip a slice of lemon in salt and rub it on the lesions. While it tingles initially, it has been known to reduce the ringworm infection.
Sunbathing has also been known to work but only in the mild light of early morning. The application of mud packs also works toward getting rid of the ringworm infections. You can also try rubbing castor oil on the infected areas as it has had good success as a home remedy. While taking care of the skin, do use organic soaps so that harsh soaps do not irritate the infected areas anymore.
In order to prevent ringworm from spreading, make sure you keep yourself clean and dry. Shampoo and clean your hair regularly. Avoid sharing clothing like towel, brushes and other personal items as sharing of these personal items are some of the main causes of ringworms. In case you do share the items, ensure that you wash and dry them properly before using the items again. Do not walk around barefoot in areas like locker rooms, gymnasiums and common swimming pools. A well-balanced diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts goes a long way in preventing continual recurrence of ringworm infection.
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answered by G R on 12 Jan 2011, 5:42:54
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