1. Apply to the Skin to Win
Topical ointments are the most common treatment for ringworm. You can choose from the anti-fungal creams Monistat, Mycelex, Nizoral and Lamisil, among others. Apply your cream of choice to the affected area twice daily for about 3 weeks. If the ringworm disappears sooner, continue to use the medication for a week longer to ensure the fungus is entirely gone.
2. Treating From the Inside Out
If you are suffering from a severe case of ringworm or it's in more than one location, you may want to see your doctor and get a prescription for an oral medication. You can choose from Lamisil, Sporanox or their generic counterparts. Take most types of this medication once a day for the prescribed amount of time and at the same time each day. Take the entire amount of medication prescribed even if your ringworm appears to be gone. Oral medications can damage your liver, so your doctor will probably require blood tests to monitor this.
3. Treating a Hairy Situation
If you get ringworm on your scalp, you must treat it orally rather than topically in order to reach the affected hair follicles. Fulvicin is one of the safest medications to use for this. You may have to take this medication for 6 to 8 weeks, and your doctor will perform liver and blood tests during this time to check for possible serious side effects. In addition to the oral medication, professionals recommend you shampoo with products containing selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione up to 3 times a week to prevent the spread of the fungus. You can find these in Selsun shampoo products and Head & Shoulders Intensive Care.
4. Don't Always Try to do it Yourself
Many people have their own methods for treating ringworm. Bleach is a popular choice of wrestlers hoping to get rid of ringworm before their next match. While this can be a fast and effective cure for ringworm, it can also damage your skin permanently. Apple cider vinegar, sea salts and tea tree oils are 3 natural remedies that are also effective in treating ringworm. Still others suggest applying a topical medication and wrapping the body part it in plastic wrap if possible to smother the fungus.
5. Fighting the Fungus on Fido
Different medications are available to treat ringworm in cats and dogs. Many veterinarian dermatologists recommend you give your pet the oral medication Fulvicin. It can take 1 to 2 months of medication to cure ringworm in animals, but, fortunately, the pills aren't very expensive. To prevent spreading the fungus through shedding hair, use a lime sulfur dip to treat the affected area on your pet and clean your home with bleach where possible and thorough vacuuming. You may want to confine your pet to a small area until the ringworm is gone to prevent spreading it further and make cleaning easier.
