Ringworm, Symptoms & Home Remedies for Ringworm Treatment
Ringworm, also called as tinea , is an infection caused by fungus and not by worm. It can affect the body, scalp, nails and even the feet. It names come from the red ring that appears on the infected skin of the person. There are four common types of ringworm: the ringworm in the body or tinea corporis , that can be acquired when you touched item that is contaminated; the ringworm in the feet or tinea pedis (also called athlete's foot), can be acquired when fungus multiplies and grows in the feet; the ring worm in the scalp or tinea capitis is caused by dermatophytes, a mold-like fungus; and the ringworm in the groin area or tinea crusis (also called jock itch), that usually thrives in moist and warm areas. It is spread by direct contact to infected person or pet's skin, or indirect contact to the thing that the infected person has touch.
Symptoms and Signs of Ringworm
Ringworm in the body is often itchy and had a ring shape, but sometimes it is just itchy and red. Skin with ringworm may appear unusually light or dark. Its edges are sharply defined. The infected nails may look thick, discolored and it will even look crumble. The ringworm may appear 10 to 14 days after the contact to the infected person. The athlete's foot may appear as cracking or scaling of the skin.
Causes of Ringworm
Many fungi and bacteria lives in the body, some of these are good in the body and some are not. It multiplies rapidly and can be infectious. Ringworm only occurs when a particular fungus multiply anywhere in the skin, nails or scalp. Cats are the most common carrier of ringworm. Ringworm is growing best in a wet place like skin folds, locker rooms and swimming pools.
Home Remedies for Ringworm Treatment
There are lots of beneficial and effective natural home remedies for ringworm. These are natural home remedies which are safer, cheaper and can easily be found in your own kitchen and garden. Plus it doesn't have any long-term or immediate side effect. You can try the following home remedies for ringworm:
- Papaya - applying raw papaya directly into the infected area is proven to be effective. It helps in drying out ringworm.
- Turmeric - is another effect home remedy for ringworm. Simply apply fresh raw turmeric directly on the infected skin; simultaneously drink fresh turmeric juice with honey to relieve itchiness and dries out your ringworm.
- Mustard seeds - finely grind the mustard seeds and apply directly to the infected area. This is another effective remedy for ringworm.
You can also do these following suggestions:
Apply directly a vitamin E to the affected area, it is said to be an excellent home remedy. Another effective home remedy for ringworm is licorice. Boil 1 cup of water mixed with 5-7 tsp of dried herb and for 20 minutes, simmer. Apply directly using a clean cloth cotton ball to the affected area. Wash clothes and sheets everyday while infected.
Prevention of Ringworm
Keep yourself clean; change socks and underwear once a day. Avoid wearing tight pants, panty hose and underwear. Completely dry yourself after shower. After drying with towel, allow yourself to be air dry before putting on your clothes. Wear sandals or slippers in the showers or locker rooms. The infected person should not share her/his things. If you suspected that you have been exposed to the ringworm, wash your clothes with fungicidal soap and hot water. If you play a skin-to-skin contact game, wash shampoo and shower thoroughly. Do not touch pet that has bald spots because they often carries fungi.
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