Ringworm is a fungal skin infection and is not really caused by a worm. All ringworm is highly contagious and is passed through skin-to-skin contact or through contact with objects an infected person has touched. It usually begins as a small pimple, growing to a small, scaly, round patch. As the patch expands the center clears and it looks like a round ring. Home remedies for ringworm can be found at the local pharmacy or health food store.
Medications
Once identified, ringworm can be treated at home with over-the-counter anti-fungal medications such as miconazole, tolnaftate, terbinafine, clotrimazole, says MayoClinic.com. These medications are available as topical creams that are applied to the affected area once or twice a day for at least two weeks. The medication should continue to be used even after the area appears to have cleared to prevent a recurrence, as the package directs.
Tea Tree Oil
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, integrative medicine specialist for 30 years, tea tree oil is a nontoxic alternative for external treatment of ringworm. It is safe to use while breast-feeding but not on the breast when the baby is nursing. Oil that is 100 percent pure can be painted on the affected area two or three times daily for three to four weeks. The product should be purchased from a reputable company to ensure purity.
Cleanliness and Moisture
According to MedlinePlus, bed sheets and night clothes should be washed daily while an individual is being treated for ringworm to prevent reinfection in other areas of the body. The skin over the area should be washed and dried daily to prevent any secondary bacterial infections in the broken skin. The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II also recommends putting on socks before underwear if the infection is in the feet. This will keep the infection from spreading to the genitals or thighs through contact. Because ringworm thrives in moist areas the body must be kept dry to ensure successful treatment. Use a blow dryer in crevices that may remain moist, such as the groin or under the breast.
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