Ringworm is the infection on the skin which occurs due to a fungus. Ringworm commonly occurs in children and it can also affect people of any age. Though the name indicates something related to a “worm”, this condition is caused by a fungus. There are many fungi and bacteria that survive in the human body. Some of them are beneficial to the humans and some are harmful. The ringworm condition results when the fungus called Tinea multiplies and grows extensively on the skin.

Ringworm will affect the skin at the region of beard, feet, groin area, body and scalp. Ringworm spreads from one person to another by coming in contact with the person having infection. If the person comes in contact with the materials that have fungus growing on them like clothing that is not washed, combs and shower surfaces ringworm infection results.

The ringworm infection is also contracted from the pets that have the infection caused by this fungus. Ringworm mostly occurs when the body is damp and has small injuries on the nails, skin and scalp. If the person is living in humid, warm climate and develops contact with lesions present on another person or animal or possesses the weak immune system, then the risk of getting ring worm is higher. The people suffering from leukemia, diabetes or AIDS might have weak immune system and hence will have greater chances of getting ringworm.

The ring worm of the body is formed by Tinea corporis, Athlete’s foot by Tinea Pedis, Jock itch by Tinea cruris, Ringworm of the nail by Tinea unguium and scalp ringworm by Tinea capitis. The face ringworm is formed by Tinea faciei and the ringworm of hands by Tinea manus.

The ringworm appears as red, round or oval shaped scaly patch having pink borders. The scales are mostly less red in the middle or healed in the middle. This region might consist of pus or fluid or it may be dry or crusted. The fungus looks like ring shaped and the new ring will start forming inside and the old ring outside. In serious cases, the rash will become itchy.

Symptoms of Ring worm

• Itchy rash.
• The ring is formed with a certain pattern.
• Red, silvery, round and itchy rash is observed sometimes.
• The rashes in the skin folds of groin called as Jock itch. This might get distributed to inner thighs or buttocks.
• The ringworm that forms on the hand will be similar to the Athlete’s foot.
• The palm of the hand will have thickened skin which is scaly and dry.
• The skin that is present in between the fingers might be wet and might have sores that are open.
• The skin might develop blisters and appear raised.
• The scaly skin that remains as patches on the scalp might exist as sores.
• The scalp ringworm will create patches in the scalp that is itchy.
• The hair loss is patchy.
• Severe condition of ringworm.
• The tiny and pus containing sores on the scalp.
• Crusts present on the scalp.
• The scalp will consist of a sore that is swollen known as kerion.
• The scalp wound will release pus and the person might have a fever and the lymph glands are swollen.
• The body ringworm will appear as red rash and irritating surrounding the rash.
• The small rings will join to form a big ring in the case of severe body ringworm infection.
• The rings of body ringworm will rise on the skin and will be itchy.
• The skin appears cracked in the case of foot ringworm.
• The foot ringworm in severe cases will form blisters, swelling in the skin, skin burning and scales around the side of the foot.
• Reddish brown sores are observed in the symptoms of groin ringworm. These sores might have pus filled sores surrounding the edge. The area around the inner thighs and bottom becomes red and itchy. The genitals at the time of groin area infection will not be affected much. The skin near the groin area might become flaky and scaly.
• The nail ringworm can cause thickened nail which is whitish.
• The nail might become discolored as it may turn into black, white, green or yellow.
• The nail might fall off as it becomes weak and brittle.
• The skin surrounding the nail ringworm might be irritated and sore.

Causes of Ring worm

• Ringworm is not caused by worm.
• Ringworm is caused by fungus.
• The fungal types that make the ringworm live and spread on the skin top layer and even on the hair.
• The ringworm fungi will grow in moist and warm regions like in skin folds, locker rooms and swimming pools.
• This fungus will spread when the person comes in contact with another person having this infection.
• This fungus will also spread when the healthy person share the towel or clothing with the infected person. The exchange of sports gear and coming in contact with the infected dog and cat can spread the ring worm fungus.

Home remedies for Ringworm

• Papaya: The papaya in raw form is considered more effective for the treatment of ringworm. This fruit has to be sliced and rubbed on the patches of the ringworm. The papaya seeds are dried and made into paste and applied on the ringworm patches.
• Mustard seeds: The mustard seeds are used for the effective treatment for ringworm. The patches have to be washed with hot water and washed thoroughly. After that, the paste made from the dried mustard seeds is applied externally on the patches.
• Butea seeds: The Butea seeds are found to be beneficial for the treatment of ringworm. The seeds are grinded as paste and mixed with lime juice and then applied on the ringworm patches.
• Cassia leaves: The skin irritation can be reduced by using the cassia leaves and in decreasing the pain and swelling. The juice prepared from these leaves or paste made from them can be applied on the ringworm patches which might give good results.
• Holy basil: The holy basil leaves are beneficial in the ringworm treatment. The leaves of basil are used for its application on the ringworm patches.
• Turmeric: Turmeric is very much useful in the management of ringworm. The skin that is infected by the ringworm has to be applied with the juice of the turmeric that is raw. The turmeric juice is taken as one teaspoonful and mixed with equal amount of honey. This is taken orally to bring relief from ringworm infection.
• Raw vegetable juice: The treatment of ringworm is carried out by using carrot juice along with spinach juice. The volumes of these juices that are beneficial in the ringworm management are 300ml of carrot juice and 200ml of spinach juice.
• Coconut oil: The application of coconut oil on the affected ringworm patches is healed by usage of coconut oil. The skin can be smoothened as well as the scaly, dry and infected skin can be softened. The skin irritation can be brought relief due to the application of coconut oil immediately.
• A paste is prepared from the oregano herbal mix along with olive oil. This paste can be applied on the patches for getting relief.
• Calendula ointment or cream or tincture mixed with warm water can work as astringent, antifungal. It can also heal the fungal infection that is present as ringworm in the body. This is used as external application for about two to three times in a day.
• The drinking of chamomile tea about three times in a day or direct application of it on the infection for few times can help in the treatment of the infection.
• The garlic can be taken as extract daily in six teaspoons. Garlic paste can be prepared by grinding in a blender and can be applied on the fungal patches by using a cotton ball dipped in the garlic extract. Garlic has antifungal properties.
• Ginger tea: The ginger tea is prepared by adding two ounces of ginger root into eight ounces of water. This is done for 20 minutes and it is known to have antifungal properties. The tea can be taken orally for three times in a day or it can be applied externally with the help of cotton compress soaked in the tea.
• Goldenseal is another herb which is used efficiently for the ringworm treatment. This herb can be made into a juice and drink for at least three times in a day or the tea can be prepared from it by boiling six teaspoons of this herb in dried form in water for about 20 minutes. This tea can be prepared by straining the leaves and the water can be applied on the fungal patches three times per day. The feet, shoes and socks can be cleaned by using goldenseal powder two times in a day.
• Lemongrass tea: The lemon grass tea can be taken for three times per day. The tea can be taken orally while the used tea bags can be applied externally on the patches of ringworm with the help of cotton balls.
• Myrrh: Myrrh is the herb that also has antifungal properties. The goldenseal powder and myrrh powder can be mixed with water and a paste is made. This is applied on the rashes for three times per day.
• Olive: The leaf extract of the olive plant is taken which is known to strengthen the immune system. This leaf extract is taken for three times per day at a volume of 250 milliliters.

The diet that is essential for the treatment of ringworm

• All-fruit diet, milk and curd: The person has to use all-fruit diet for initially five days. The daily three meals should consist of fruits that include pineapples, pomegranate, oranges, papaya and apples. These fruits are given at five hours interval. The fruits intake will eliminate the dirt from the body and helps in the improvement of the digestion and health. The raw fruits and steamed vegetables without taking salt accompanied by whole wheat tortilla can be eaten after completing the all-fruit diet course.
• The curd and milk can be taken after the all fruit diet is followed for certain period.
• Well-balanced diet: The all-fruit diet has to be followed by intake of well-balanced diet such as nuts, cereals, slightly cooked vegetables or raw vegetables, seeds and fresh fruits.
• The food to be avoided: The food that has to be avoided in eating are coffee, tea, flavored dishes, sugar, white flour products, and bottled foods.