Keep the affected area clean and dry. Apply an over-the-counter antifungal lotion, cream or ointment such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF) or terbinafine (Lamisil AT) as directed on the packaging.
Over-the-counter antifungals can kill the fungus and promote healing. Effective medications include miconazole (Cruex), clotrimazole (Desenex) and terbinafine (Lamisil). After cleaning the rash, apply a thin layer of antifungal medication to the affected area 2 to 3 times per day or as directed by the package.
Terbinafine (Lamisil) comes in creams, sprays, and gels and can treat athlete's foot, jock itch, and other ringworm infections on the skin. The CDC says terbinafine seems to be the most effective treatment for tinea pedis. Possible side effects include: peeling.
Because the fungi can live indefinitely on the skin, recurrences of ringworm are likely. Treatment may need to be repeated. If you have ringworm symptoms, see your healthcare provider for treatment recommendations. It is important to note that common home remedies do not effectively treat this condition.
If left untreated, ringworm can spread to other areas of your body. You may also risk spreading the infection to someone else. Other potential complications include: hair loss and scarring.
Tea tree oil is quite effective for treating ringworm and other fungal infections of the skin (athlete's foot, jock itch) and nails. You just paint the oil on affected areas two or three times a day. It also treats boils and other localized bacterial infections, for which you can apply it full strength.
For infections that get worse or don't go away, there are prescription topical products that can treat ringworm, such as: Loprox cream (ciclopirox) Spectazole cream (econazole nitrate) Oxistat cream or lotion (oxiconazole nitrate)
You typically apply the antifungal twice a day for 10 to 14 days. To treat the itch, it often helps to apply a wet, cool washcloth to the area for 20 to 30 minutes. You may need to apply cool compresses 2 to 6 times a day.
Yes, vinegar can help with ringworm infection. Especially apple cider vinegar has strong antifungal properties, which can help to treat the ringworm infection when applied topically to the affected area.
Lemongrass oil or tea
Lemongrass oil extract, and to a slightly lesser extent lemongrass tea, both have antifungal properties that can be helpful in treating fungal skin infections like ringworm.
How Long Does Ringworm Last? Most mild cases of ringworm usually clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. But treatment might be needed for up to 3 months if the infection is more serious, or affects the nails or the scalp.
Topical antifungals
These include clotrimazole (Lotrimin), terbinafine (Lamisil), and miconazole (Desenex). However, a doctor may prescribe prescription antifungals. Antifungal medications kill the fungus by interfering with the fungus' ability to form cell walls.
When cleaning the area with ringworm, wash the affected area(s) and dry it (them) with a clean towel. Use another clean towel to dry the other parts of your body. Before using these towels again, wash them in hot, sudsy water. To keep the area dry, avoid wearing clothes, socks, and shoes that make you sweat.
In natural medicine, it is generally believed that the fungal (yeast) organisms responsible for infections such as ringworm thrive on foods containing sugar (including the sugar in fruit), refined carbohydrates (like pasta and white rice) and foods that are mouldy, yeasty or fermented (most breads, aged cheeses, dried ...
A pharmacist can help with ringworm
They can look at the rash and recommend the best antifungal medicine. This might be a cream, gel or spray depending on where the rash is. You may need to use an antifungal medicine every day for up to 4 weeks.
These fungi thrive where it's warm and humid. Ringworm is common in tropical areas and during hot, humid summers. It flourishes in warm, moist locker rooms and indoor pools. You can also get ringworm when the weather is cool because ringworm is extremely contagious.
Ringworm usually goes away within 4 weeks of treatment.
Eucalyptus oil is a great natural way to treat pesky fungal infections. The oil is great for your skin and its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties will kill the fungus – plus it has a wonderful fresh smell. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to some warm water and apply to the affected area.
A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs. Itchiness. A clear or scaly area inside the ring, perhaps with a scattering of bumps whose color ranges from red on white skin to reddish, purplish, brown or gray on black and brown skin. Slightly raised, expanding rings.
Heat (above 110°F) is also effective at killing ringworm spores. This means that clothing does not necessarily need to be washed with bleach, as long as it can be dried on high heat.
Ringworm scars are usually brown or discolored and flat. They may cover large or small patches of skin. Some scarring caused by ringworm can be permanent.
Over-the-Counter Treatments for Ringworm
In most cases, you'll have to use the medicines on your skin for 2 to 4 weeks to make sure you kill the fungus that causes ringworm. It'll also lower your chances of it coming back.
The fungus that causes ringworm can live in humans, dogs, cats, other animals, and soil. The fungus can survive on contaminated objects for long periods of time, sometimes up to 18 months.