Ringworm

See also : Athlete’s Foot
Dermatophytosis or ringworm is a clinical condition caused by fungal infection of the skin in humans, pets such as cats, and domesticated animals such as sheep and cattle. The term "ringworm" is a misnomer, since the condition is caused by fungi of several different species and not by parasitic worms. The fungi that cause parasitic infection (dermatophytes) feed on keratin, the material found in the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails. These fungi thrive on skin that is warm and moist, but may also survive directly on the outsides of hair shafts or in their interiors. In pets, the fungus responsible for the disease survives in skin and on the outer surface of hairs.

Symptoms

There are several different types of ringworm, including infections that affect the skin on your body (known as "tinea corporis") and scalp (known as "tinea capitis"). Ringworm that affects the groin area is called "tinea cruris" (or "jock itch"), while ringworm that affects the feet is called "tinea pedis" (or "Athlete’s Foot"). Although symptoms vary depending on the type of ringworm, common symptoms include itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. Often featuring sharply defined edges with normal skin tone in the center, these patches tend to resemble rings.

Home remedies

Some natural treatments are used to cure ringworm, a skin condition that's particularly common among children. A type of fungal infection, ringworm is typically spread through skin-to-skin contact, contact with contaminated items (including unwashed clothing and pool surfaces), or contact with pets that carry the fungus. Standard treatment for ringworm involves the use of over-the-counter antifungal medications, but some preliminary research suggests that certain natural remedies may also help cure ringworm.

• Tea Tree Oil : Several small studies indicate that tea tree oil (a type of essential oil widely used in aromatherapy) may help cure ringworm affecting the feet. For instance, in a 2002 study from the Australasian Journal of Dermatology, researchers assigned 158 patients with athlete's foot to treatment with a placebo or a solution containing either 25 percent or 50 percent tea tree oil. Patients applied the solution to affected areas twice daily for four weeks. By the study's end, significant improvement was seen in 72 percent of the patients who received the 25-percent-tea-tree-oil solution (compared with 68 percent of patients in the 50-percent-tea-tree-oil group and 39 percent of patients in the placebo group). In a 1992 study from the same journal, researchers assigned 104 patients with athlete's foot to treatment with a placebo, a cream containing 10 percent tea tree oil, or a cream containing 1 percent tolnaftate (a synthetic antifungal sold in over-the-counter medications). While tea tree oil significantly reduced ringworm symptoms, it was no more effective than placebo as a cure for the fungal infection.
• Garlic Extract : Ajoene (a natural compound extracted from garlic) shows promise in the treatment of ringworm. For example, a 1999 study from the German journal Arzneimittel-Forschung found that a gel containing ajoene helped treat tinea cruris and tinea corporis. The study involved 60 adults with either condition, each of whom was assigned to receive a gel containing .6 percent ajoene or a cream containing 1 percent terbinafine (an antifungal agent). Sixty days after treatment, the healing rate was 73% and 71% for the groups treated with ajoene and terbinafine, respectively. Several small studies also suggest that ajoene may help treat athlete's foot.
• For help in preventing ringworm, the National Institutes of Health recommend keeping your skin clean and dry, shampooing regularly, and avoiding the sharing of personal-care items. You should also wear sandals or shoes at gyms and pools, and avoid touching pets with bald spots. When using any type of treatment to cure ringworm, make sure to keep your skin clean and dry and wash your sheets and nightclothes every day while infected. It's also crucial to treat infected pets.
• Mountain Laurel can be applied directly to the affected area to treat Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis), Psoriasis, Herpes and Syphilis.
• Bergamot essential oil shows promise in the treatment of dermatophytoses, a fungal infection commonly known as ringworm. In a 2007 study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, tests on several common species of dermatophytoses-causing fungi found that bergamot essential oil may possess antifungal properties.

Warnings

When not treated properly, ringworm can lead to a number of complications (including spread of the infection to other parts of the body, bacterial skin infections, and skin disorders such as contact dermatitis). In some cases, prescription antifungal medications may be needed to treat ringworm. While natural remedies may be of some benefit in treating ringworm, it's important to consult your physician before using natural ringworm treatments.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.