5 Natural Ways To Treat Ringworm in Kids

A ringworm infection, contrary to what the name suggests, is actually caused by a fungus rather than a worm. The condition begins to manifest with the appearance of circular or oval spots with a smooth center and a red scaly outline that gradually expands. These ring-like patches generally grow to about 1 inch in width and can appear in different parts of the body.

The infectious pathogen, or fungus, also known as a dermatophyte, thrives in areas that are prone to excessive perspiration, such as the scalp, groin, buttocks, feet, legs, and particularly the upper thighs, and it can event affect the hands and nails.

* Apply Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil exhibits potent antifungal properties that can arrest the growth of the ringworm fungus. Not only does it target and eliminate the disease-causing agent, but it also helps alleviate the associated discomforts such as itching, inflammation, and skin discoloration.

* Use Tea Tree Oil Topically

You can also use tea tree oil to treat ringworm in kids. This essential oil has an antifungal activity that will fight the fungus that is at the root of the problem. It also relieves itching and inflammation when applied to the infected area. A 2003 study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology reports that most components of tea tree oil display potent activity against a range of fungi.This claim is further supported by another 2006 study published in the Clinical Microbiology Reviews, which also highlights the antifungal activity of tea tree oil.

* Moisturize Your Skin With Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another good remedy that you can try at home for banishing a ringworm infection. The fatty acids found in coconut oil help kill the disease-carrying fungi by damaging their cell membranes. Moreover, its moisturizing property helps reduce the itchiness in the affected area and promote the healing of the lesion-ridden skin.A study concluded that coconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of its effectiveness against drug-resistant Candida species.

* Smear Garlic Paste On the Affected Area

Garlic works as a natural antifungal agent and can help treat different types of fungal infections, including ringworm in kids. Its antifungal properties help stop the growth of the fungi and provide relief from the itching. A study published in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences revealed that while pure allicin (active component of crushed garlic) is more efficient in the inhibition of the growth in hyphal cells (building blocks of the branching filamentous structure of the fungus) compared with garlic extract, both could be used as alternatives in treating dermatophytosis (ringworm).

* Licorice Solution

Licorice, a common herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, has strong fungicidal compounds and can be used to treat fungal infections such as ringworm. According to a study published in 2015, licorice has potent antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and other activities that make it a worthwhile candidate in the treatment of infections such as ringworm.