Tea Tree Oil: A Natural Remedy for Ringworm Treatment

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. It is not related to any actual worm, but is called ringworm because of the circular rashes that form on the skin of infected people.

If ringworm is on the scalp it is also known as tinea corporis – or tinea capitis. It is related to other fungal infections, including:

• Athlete's foot

• Jock itch

• Nail fungus

You can get ringworm if you touch a person, animal, or personal item that is infected with the fungus. Ringworm forms a red, itchy rash surrounded by a raised red circle that is shaped like a worm. However, ringworm is not caused by insects but by fungi.

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Tea tree oil has antifungal properties. It is helpful in killing the fungi that cause ringworm.

Several studies have been conducted on tea tree oil for treating fungal infections and the results are promising. Ringworm is particularly useful in treating fungal conditions such as athlete's foot.

In a controlled trial, 158 people with athlete's feet applied tea tree oil to their feet twice a day. After one month, about 70 percent of people who used tea tree oil had improved symptoms, while less than 40 percent of people in the placebo group had improved symptoms.

About two-thirds of people who used a 50 percent tea tree oil solution had completely cleared skin.

Both tea tree oil and tolnaftate improved symptoms such as scaling, itching, and swelling better than placebo.

Another study involving 60 people used a combination of the antifungal drug butenafine and tea tree oil and compared it with placebo. After four months, 80 percent of people in the treatment group were cured.

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Before applying tea tree oil — or trying any other ringworm treatment — check with your dermatologist to make sure it's safe for you. Wash and dry your skin before applying the oil.

Dilute tea tree oil by mixing it with a carrier oil. Use a cotton ball, Q-tip, or cloth to apply diluted tea tree essential oil to your skin. Apply thoroughly over entire shingles.

For ringworm on the head, apply a few drops of tea tree oil directly on the affected area. You can also add a few drops of it to your shampoo and wash your hair and scalp with it.

Keep an eye on your skin for any signs of irritation. If any new redness or bumps appear, stop using tea tree oil and see your dermatologist.

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The main treatment for ringworm is over-the-counter antifungal creams such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF) or terbinafine (Lamisil AT). Typically, you apply these products twice a day for about two to four weeks.

If ringworm covers a large area of the body, the doctor may also prescribe an oral antifungal pill.

Scalp ringworm is treated with a prescription medication such as griseofulvin, which is available in tablet, capsule, or liquid form. You can also use antifungal shampoo.

Antifungal creams or pills can cure ringworm within a few weeks. There's no harm in trying tea tree oil unless your skin is sensitive to it.

To best treat ringworm, take your antifungal medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to take it. If your skin does not improve or gets worse, see your doctor to discuss other treatment options.

Keep in mind that tea tree oil is available in different concentrations. Topical products typically contain 5 to 10 percent tea tree oil. Do not apply tea tree oil directly to the skin without diluting it with a carrier oil.

Even when diluted, tea tree oil can cause reactions and irritation. Do a patch test before applying it.

If you have been infected with ringworm, be careful not to spread the fungus. It can live on household items like clothes and bedding. Do not share any personal items with anyone else until the infection is completely cured.

You can usually get rid of ringworm permanently with over-the-counter antifungal medications. By adopting some other methods, you can protect yourself and the people around you from ringworm. There are some methods of treating ringworm-

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1. Using topical antifungal medication

Most cases of ringworm can be treated at home. Over-the-counter antifungal medications can kill the fungus. Effective medications include miconazole (Cruex), clotrimazole (Desenex), and terbinafine (Lamisil).

2. Let it breathe

To prevent infection from spreading, keeping ringworm covered with a bandage helps retain moisture and slows the healing process. It's important to keep the area dry, so wear comfortable, breathable clothing to speed healing and avoid spreading the rash to other people.

3. Wash bedding daily

Ringworm is highly contagious, your clothes and sheets should be washed daily to eliminate the infection faster. Fungal spores can transfer to your sheets and quilt. If you sleep on the same sheets night after night, ringworm may take longer to heal, and the infection may spread to other parts of your body. Contaminated bedding can also infect your partner. Use hot water and detergent when washing bedding and any infected clothes. Only hot water can kill the fungus. As an extra precaution, add borax or bleach to your wash along with regular laundry detergent.

4. Change wet underwear and socks

If you have ringworm on your feet or groin area, keep these areas dry. If you sweat a lot during the day, shower with an antifungal cleansing bar and then apply your antifungal powder or lotion.

5. Use antifungal shampoo

Sometimes ringworm develops on the scalp. Symptoms of scalp infection include severe itching, patches of hair loss, boils on the scalp, and severe dandruff. If you have a ringworm on your head, wash your hair with an over-the-counter medicated antifungal shampoo. These shampoos kill bacteria and fungus on the scalp and prevent inflammation. Use shampoos with antifungal active ingredients like ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, and pyrithione zinc.

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6. Take a prescription antifungal

Continue treatment with antifungal powder, cream or shampoo until the pain goes away. If you stop treatment too early the infection may return. A ringworm infection that does not heal or spreads may require a prescription-strength topical cream or oral antifungal medication.

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Don't ignore ringworm. Although this is a common skin infection, quick action is necessary to prevent the fungus from spreading.