People often ask about natural remedies for ringworm, believing them to be safer than prescription or over-the-counter medications. They think natural remedies are less likely to cause side effects, and that is often true, but not always. Some natural remedies do cause side effects. Beyond that, they don’t always work, and trying to treat ringworm with something that doesn’t work can be harmful because your condition can worsen and spread while you’re not getting effective treatment. We don’t want to discourage you from using natural remedies when appropriate but we do want you to have the facts so you can choose a remedy that will work for you.
Popular Natural Remedies For Ringworm
Here are some of the popular natural remedies people use to treat ringworm. We’ll tell you which ones are backed by science and which ones probably won’t really work. We encourage you to talk to your doctor for more information.
Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar can be applied to the affected skin or it can be mixed with salt to form a paste and then applied to the affected area. Some people are big believers that apple cider vinegar can cure all sorts of things. We haven’t seen any scientific evidence that this is likely to cure ringworm, however.
Coconut oil – Applying coconut oil to the scaly, irritated skin associated with ringworm may relieve uncomfortable symptoms like itching and irritation. We haven’t seen any evidence that it’s a natural cure for ringworm, though.
Tea tree oil – Tea tree oil is an essential oil made from a tree native to Australia. It’s probably one of the most effective natural remedies for ringworm available. It’s been proven to be effective at treating some types of fungal infections, including athlete’s foot and toenail fungus (which can be caused by ringworm). It can be applied directly to the affected areas or can be used in creams or ointments used to treat ringworm.
Garlic – Garlic is believed by many to have antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It is often taken orally, in capsule form, to treat a wide variety of illnesses and infections. Some people also use it as a home remedy for ringworm, slicing it thinly or pureeing it in a food processor to make a paste and applying it to the affected areas. We haven’t found any evidence that garlic is effective against ringworm when used this way, though.
Lavender essential oil – Lavender essential is made from the lavender plant. It is believed by some to have antifungal properties and it can also soothe irritated itchy skin. We’re not sure lavender essential oil alone will cure ringworm but it may help treat some of the uncomfortable symptoms.
Turmeric – Turmeric is an herb often used in cooking but it has anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful in treating some skin conditions, as well. Ground turmeric (see picture) can be mixed with water to form a paste and then applied to the areas affected by ringworm or it can be purchased in capsule form and taken orally. While it may decrease the inflammation and swelling associated with ringworm, we haven’t seen any evidence that it actually cures ringworm. In addition, some people should not take large amounts of turmeric orally, including people on blood-thinning medications.
Our Favorite Natural Cure For Ringworm
Our favorite natural remedy for ringworm is not completely natural. We’ll admit that upfront. It’s called Phytozine and it contains an FDA-approved medication for treating ringworm called tolnaftate. It also contains a number of natural ingredients, though, including some of our favorite natural remedies for ringworm, like lavender essential oil and tea tree oil, which help relieve symptoms and boost the effectiveness of the medication. If you’re looking for a natural remedy for ringworm, we highly recommend Phytozine. To learn more and see if it might be right for you, just follow the link.
Additional Reading:
Ringworm or Ezcema – Pictures and information to help you tell the difference between eczema and ringworm.
How You Get Ringworm – How its transferred, prevention.
Hair Loss From Ringworm – How to prevent hair loss when you have ringworm of the scalp.
Ringworm Photos – On different parts of the body including the face, scalp, arms and legs.
Home Remedies to Treat Ringworm – Review of popular home remedies. What works, whats safe to try, possible side effects…..