Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Natural Treatment for Ringworm

By writing this article, I hope that I save you a trip to your doctor's office.

Ringworm can be very annoying, especially with people who do not know how to treat it themselves.

 Interestingly enough, ringworm is actually not a worm, but instead a contagious fungal infection. It can affect the scalp, the body (particularly the groin), the feet, and the nails. Its name comes from the characteristic red ring that can appear on an infected person's skin.

Ringworm is usually an itchy infection, showing up differently on different parts of the body. Ringworm of the scalp begins as a small pimple that becomes bigger and leaves scaly patches of temporary baldness.  Ringworm of the body can show up as a flat, round patch (anywhere on the skin). It becomes larger and looks more like a ring as days progress. The area can be itchy. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the feet, another form of ringworm. Athlete's foot appears as a scaling or cracking of the skin, especially between the toes. You can also develop ringworm of the nails. With this infection, the nails become thicker, discolored and brittle.

One of the most successful home remedies I have seen to cure ringworm is Tea Tree essential oil. Tea tree essential oil is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral substance. You can easily buy Tea Tree essential oil from most health food stores or online (make sure it is 100% pure essential oil). Apply Tea Tree to the affected area 2-3 times per day until the ringworm fungal infection disappears.

For some people, however, tea tree is not enough to kill ringworm. Another successful 'at home remedy' is to soak a couple of pennies in apple cider vinegar for a few hours. You can then take a cotton ball and dip it into the apple cider vinegar and apply it to your ringworm. Do this for 3 to 4 days, or until your ringworm is gone!

And, WALLLAAAA!! You have successfully treated a Ringworm infection on your own!

UPDATE: As I have experimented with other remedies for ringworm, I have discovered another remedy that works (and more efficiently for some people, I might add). Organic, cold-pressed Coconut oil is also anti-fungal and kills ringworm within a day or two.  I have found that apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil feel uncomfortable when placed on ringworm on the skin, while coconut oil feels nourishing as it is working to kill ringworm.

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Svea is a traditional Naturopath, classical homeopath and holistic doula. Her private doula practice can be found here. Her Montreal Natural Fertility site can be found here

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