The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
General Feedback
Posted by Dolores (Roseburg, Oregon) on 01/09/2012
Ringworm is a fungus from hell. I first noticed what I thought was a bruise on my left hip area. Hmm, Few days later, I saw the horror and knew before going to doctor but wanted absolute confirmation and some antifungal. He put me on clotrimazone1%. Said should be gone in about 2-3 weeks. After three weeks, nothing other than seeing more red spots showing up. I kept using the clotrimazone but tried, ACV, Teatree oil, neem, oregano essential oils, mixed. No change after a week.
On 4th week and nothing has died out that I can tell. Tried Absorbine Jr and then today TKO, an orange oil cleaner. I'm desperate and afraid to have to go on prescription meds. I just bought some Terbinefine Hydrochloride 1% as someone suggested on a site. If this doesn't work, I will try the DMSO and Tannic acid if I can find it. There are some 3-day guaranteed products I've seen but expensive and I don't have that much faith because you have to use just as they say and with other products or they won't guarantee. I've read a lot about fungus, never had Candida in my life and now I'm battling this horror and am so health conscious.
It was likely the one time I had to use a public toilet with no protection. Was an emergency and I can't sit down to do... You know but can stand for the other. I have to be fanatic about changing clothes and don't want friends over unless I know clorox has been used on my toilet and I have to cover furniture with a special cloth to protect any contamination as this stuff is highly contagious. I could say where it came from on Public toilet but I won't. I'm so angry and wonder now if I will ever find a cure and if I can control the infection around my buttocks without it spreading onto more areas. OH BOY!!!!
Iodine
Posted by Gina (Martins Creek, Nsw, Australia) on 12/29/2011
★★★★★
from childhood I have always used iodine tincture for ringworm. I have never known it fail.
Iodine
Posted by Mike (Nyc, US) on 05/13/2014
I have suffered a terrible bout with ring worm I have tried many many things such as tea tree, wormwood, coconut oil, act. it is on my back and my arms; nothing worked until I ground to a paste garlic and ginger and a dab of water. Put it on for about one hour and removed it. Kicked the life out of it in one session but I now am continuing it. But it is definitely under controll. Two words of caution: only put it on affected area as it will make skin freakish red. And it is not comfortable for about 15 minutes
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Asolaria (Capt Cook, Hawaii) on 12/23/2011
Absobine jr seems to a prevelant effective remedy as l see on your site for ringworm, l called my pharmacy and they have absorbine for arthritis, does it need to be specifically for ringworm?
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Rose (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) on 04/19/2013
Mataravj, I believe you may be wrong about not using Absorbine Jr. It says directly on the label it is meant to treat fungal infections such as jock itch or athletes foot. So I would definitely get Absorbine Jr over the arthritis treatment...
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Drama-queen (Corpus Christi, Texas) on 07/05/2011
★★★★★
I used Tea Tree Oil on my 13 yr old and wash everything in his room in hot water, I have no idea where he got it; it was on his forearm and was bothersome to him, after a few days he finally let me know. I'm glad that I found out before we had a family outbrake!
Bleach
Posted by Barefoot2 (Phoenix, Arizona, Usa) on 01/18/2012
I adopted a kitten and I thought it had mange but the vet said it was ringworm. I wish I had found out sooner than I did because it spread to my other cat and me before I got it under control. I would not use bleach due to how toxic it is but I used Qtips and put food grade hydrogen peroxide on it. It hurt some but dried it up immediately. I then bought a flourescent black light and went into a dark room with both cats, they both had areas that glowed green and I had a couple of spots of it. My naturopathic doctor gave my allium (garlic) oil. It contains 40 mcg of allium per drop. It really worked on me. I rubbed 1 drop into the spots 3x a day for 2 days and mine are gone. I'm considering using it on my cats but since garlic is supposed to be bad for them I am hesitating to use it. The vet gave me a special shampoo and a bottle of liquid called pure oxygen and it has been somewhat effective. I will be taking them sunbathing to see if that helps.
Nail Polish
Posted by Sid Davis (Springfield, Missouri, Usa) on 07/21/2010
★★★★★
My wife had ringworm under her chin for about two months. She tried Calamine lotion for about a month and 1/2 because she thought she had brushed against some poison ivy, not realizing it was ringworm. When she realized it was ringworm, she painted it twice daily for a week with lugol's solution (5% iodine) and it started to noticeably clear. Then I read about clear nail polish, and she quit the iodine and applied nail polish twice daily for two days, and now it is gone. Looks like the nail polish worked the best.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Gina (Dover, De) on 08/10/2013
★★★★★
Thank you so much for sharing! I too had a nasty patch as I didn't know what it was for about a week. I first tried OTC but they weren't controlling itch, nor did they seem to help with spreading. So I found this and I'm so glad I did. The tea tree helped with the itch right away. When I was able to do the ACV application, I cleaned the area (my neck! ) thoroughly. Because it was on an add location, I couldn't let the ACV sit, so I applied it with a cotton round every 10 mins or so for an hour. Then washed again and did tea tree immediately and as necessary. Did the ACV 2x/day. In one day, the difference was dramatic and I can tell its not spreading. Thank you again!!!
Paper Ash Residue
Posted by Sheldon007 (Spring, Tx) on 02/21/2010
★★★★★
When I was a child I would get ringworm all the time. My grandmother would take a piece of paper burn it on a plate. when the paper was completly burnt she would blow off the ashes then use the residue left on the plate to rub over the ringworm. This would suffucate the ringworm and within days the ringworm was gone with no permanent scars.
Pennies in Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Star (Towanda, Pa) on 02/12/2010
★★★★★
The best way to get rid of ringworm is to take a few old pennies and place in a cup with about 5 tablespoons of apple cider vinager. let age for a day or two and rub directly on the ring worm. it will normally burn. but will work. i had ring worm so bad that it was larger than the size of a fifty cent piece. it had completely ate away all of my skin and itched terribly. it works. i have used this remedy for over 25 years, and it is yet not to work.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Paul (Laguna Beach) on 08/17/2013
Your comment is amazing. I see no other recommendation that even comes close to this. You can drink the essential oil? I know this oil is powerful and you apply it directly to your skin undiluted?
Oregano Oil
Posted by Katy (New York) on 10/10/2013
Re the question of applying oregano oil directly to skin. I've only used infused oregano oil topically and by mouth... Meaning I use a carrier oil like olive oil etc and dilute with that. Hope that helps! Katy
Clear Nail Polish
Posted by Sarah (Atlanta, Georgia) on 06/03/2018
Does top coat clear nail polish work? That's all I have.
Bleach
Posted by Renee (Ray City, Georgia) on 12/02/2009
★★★★★
When I was young, I used clorox or bleach on my ringworm and it went away after a couple of weeks. Now, my grandson has a ringwrom, but I'm afraid to use bleach. I will try the ACV to see if it works.
Bleach
Posted by Merryanne (Orange City, Florida, USA) on 12/06/2009 113 posts
To Jacques, I was looking for the clear iodine in Walmart yesterday, I asked the lady in the Pharmacy for it, they keep it behind in the Pharmacy precription area,,they were out of stock but ordered some and it will be in stock in 4 days,,, We should start asking our local Pharmacy's for the items we want,,if they do not have it, ask if it is possible they can order it, the same is true for some of the other food items we want from our grocery store. merryanne in Fl
Homeopathic Remedies
Posted by Joy (Chicago, Il) on 10/21/2009
If the ACV and walnut is not working you could try homeopathy. It would be too complex to suggest different remedies but if you went into a homeopathic pharmacy, they could help. There is a remedy made from ringworm (diluted) and it may go under the latin name Tinea.
Homeopathic Remedies
Posted by Tee (Chicago, Il) on 10/21/2009
Hi Joy I wanted to know where are a few homeopathic pharmacies? I noticed you were from Chicago I also live in Chicago. You can email me or post on the site if possible. I am a real person Thanks in advance
Borax
Posted by Bschmidt (Millet, Alberta) on 11/30/2011
I thought I'd reply to this thread because when I was younger my sister brought home a kitten with ringworm. Right away I had one on my leg where the cat sat. It was about the size of a dime. So I took After Bite and applied it to the area. (After Bite contains ammonia. ) The ringworm spot puffed up and went back down before my eyes. A couple days later I looked and it was totally gone and never came back.
Calamine Lotion
Posted by Kokila (Roslyn Heights, New York) on 06/10/2009
★★★★★
HI,
I had a terrible case of A. Lymphedma in my legs and B. Ringworm there as well.
Cured both.
Here's how:
Lymphedema: got this during my pregnancy and continued for almost 2 years thereafter.
I believe from Adrenal and kidney depletion...pregnancy is hard on the glands...adrenals control fluids in the body...so do kidneys.
Anyway..tried everything: Lymphatic drainage massage MLD, acupuncture, herbs, compression stockings, you name it.
Here's what worked: a. Wheatgrass juice daily and fresh celery and spirulina and parsley juice.
b. Epsom salt baths (1/2 pound in the hot water with some bubble bath ,,,natural of course). Soaked 20 minutes a night before bed.
c. trampoline work.
Guess what? I'm cured...the massage therapist said I'd never cure it...that there is no cure. Oh yeah?
I sure hated those compression stockings. UGLY!
Now for the ringworm: AGAIN! Tried everything!!! Spent lots of money on creams, etc. tried herbs, etc. NOTHING! WORKED! The itching was driving me crazy ...plus ugly oozing sores on my legs. In desperation I tried: YES! Calamine lotion. IT WORKS FOLKS!
In a few hours I found relief and now it's gone. Try it. The lotion cost me $1.99
Haha!
Best of luck.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Copper Penny
Posted by Cheryl (Petaluma, California) on 06/07/2009
I wanted to add to the post re: Ringworm Remedy with vinigar. My Mother treated my ringworm with apple cider vinigar and the penny has to be a brand new penny.
Another thing that works, you take unlined paper and it should be a very light weight paper, roll it very tight, put into a plate and burn it down so as to leave a oil in the plate. After this cools the oil is to be put onto the ringworm. Of course this was done to me in the early 1950's and I am sure the paper is not as good quality now as then.
Turmeric, Bicarb Soda, Coconut Oil Paste
Posted by Alex (Latin America) on 07/16/2017
★☆☆☆☆
Sadly this didn't work for me. Maybe because I've had it for a very long time.
I'm currently using a turmeric pomade (it has sandalwood and I bought it for something else) and it seems to be working when mixed with Derman fungus cream.
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Johana (Denton, Texas) on 05/22/2009
★★★★★
I had some kind of fungal infection, which might have been jock itch. I read women can get it too. The itching was just awful, night and day, and my skin was getting gray and hard. I tried everything to get rid of it, from hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, and Pau D'Arco to athlete's foot creams from the store. Tea trea oil seemed to work great at first, because it made my skin peel off, but in the end it just drove the infection deeper and the itching began to get worse. Sleep deprivation and not having time to shower also made it noticeably worse. Then I started showering every day and spraying on Apple Cider Vinegar and getting enough sleep, and it started to get a little better. Then I saw, here on Earth Clinic, about Absorbine. I had to order it, because my CVS didn't have it. Absorbine Jr. is an absolute miracle!! Complete relief from the itching--I cannot explain how good it feels to have no itching for the first time in a long, long time. And now my skin is healing, and I can go longer without applying it. Thankyou to the people who posted and to Earth Clinic for helping me to find a cure!
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Annoyed (Tampa, FL) on 06/01/2009
so i had a scaly sore on my back for atleast 2 weeks, not itchy just scaly, went to doc's said i had ringworm...now it spread. i have a few maybe 9 small (dot to dime size) red patches between my back and torso (still not very itchy). so far i dont think the perscribed fungal cream helps, so im trying ACV and vapor rub. ill respond in a few days to tell of my progress (lets hope theres some!)
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Pam (Huntsville, Alabama) on 06/02/2009
I have found that black walnut tincture clears up ringworm. My son had a bad case around Christmas time. Nothing was working so I tried the tincture. Put it on with a cotton ball twice a day and in less than two weeks,no more ringworm. I also used it on a spot on my leg that I got from working in the garden,gone in about a week. It does stain,but can also be taken internally or used externally in case of systemic infection. I got my tincture at the local health food store for about $10. A little goes a long way so it was really economical. This is a safe remedy,even on children. Also, I cut out sugar and most starches,ate garlic,tumeric,cayenne and had a cup of hot water with lemon juice every morning. Hope this helps.Pam
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Maddison (Bradford, Endland) on 07/05/2010
I am still battling ringworm, but to cure the itching I took the coldest shower I could bare and stayed in the shower for 3-4 minutes. The itching stopped immediately and has not returned.
Ringworm Vs Pityriasis Rosea
Posted by Tatsiana (Columbus, GA) on 04/24/2009
Hi everybody - this is a great site with probably very helpful advices on how to get rid of ringworm. HOWEVER, it might not be a ringworm you're fighting! There is a very very similar skin condition called Pityriasis Rosea, and the initial outbreak on the skin looks EXACTLY like ringworm (most often it's on the chest or back). But it is not caused by fungus - that's why none of anti-fungi medication helps to clear it up. I got it about a month ago, figured it was a ringworm, started applying over the counter anti-fungul cream, did it for a week with absolutely no change in condition, during the second week I got little spots all over the body, got scared, tried to get an appointment with dermatologist, but was told that next available would be in a month or so (for a new patient), so I went to emergency room where doctor confirmed that it was a ringworm (without any tests though), and prescribed stronger cream and also antibiotic. I took antibiotics and started applying new cream which seemed to aggravate my rashes even more, they became bright read in color. That's when I found this web site, and I started trying every remedy, one after another - tea tree oil, ACV, white vinegar, nail polish, liquid bandaid, garlic - which badly burned my skin. I was thinking about clorox bleach already but skin was already burnt by garlic, so I was pretty desperate - I went to dermatologist's clinic and cried and begged they get me an appointment. I finally got to see the doctor, who took a few scrapings, looked under the microscope, and told me it was not a ringworm but PITYRIASIS ROSEA which is very often mistaken for ringworm. So look up that condition on the internet, and if you are fighting uphill battle with what you think is ringworm, you might find that you have totally different condition, which is not contageous because it's not caused by fungus, and the treatment is a steroid shot (optional) and steroid cream. I hope this information will help somebody.
EC: Images of Pityriasis Rosea on Google search here.
Anti-Fungal Diet
Posted by Aly (Somewhere, Us) on 01/06/2012
★☆☆☆☆
I have to disagree with the diet method as a cure for ringworm.
Miconazole Nitrate 2% is the medicine needed for ringworm that treated it. No diet changes necessary. I have had ringworm 4 times in less than a year. I kept my pop, coffee, fruit, vegetables (yes, even potatos), meats, and occassionally junk food. Mine still healed using ketaconazole (sp?) from the doctor. My friend eats healthier than me (less pop and junk food), had ringworm, no diet changes, got medicine, and it healed. I've had other friends have ringworm and done nothing to their diets just medicine and it still healed. We all have a lot of varying diets also. (None of us knew about this site yet or was interested in natural cures) So I really don't believe a diet change done it.
Jas, 7 years? Is it reoccuring? Once you get it once then you have to be ringworm free (no outbreaks, not even a spot) for 18 months before you're completely cured from it. I was told this by a doctor but I'm not sure how right she is. This may be why. If you try another remedy on here say jock itch cream, after you put it on cover it with gauze so it doesn't rub off on something/someone else and is can get into the infected area. When you're awake you can take it off but absolutely no touching it, even if it is itching. Do this about 2 times a day and you should see improvement. Also sunlight! The very natural cure to ringworm! But sunlight alone can take longer.
Anti-Fungal Diet
Posted by KT (Lumberton, North Carolina) on 03/05/2012
What about when it's on your side? Can you give me a feedback?
Over the Counter
Posted by S (Nashville, TN) on 04/12/2009 3 posts
★★★★★
Ringworm is like athlete's foot and can be treated with any kind of athlete's foot cream. I had ring worm and the cream worked.
Over the Counter
Posted by KT (Usa) on 08/02/2015
Hi Margaret, Thought I would let you know our nurse practitioner told me I could use the OTC miconazole cream when our daughter picked up ringworm at a public swimming pool. It worked.
Over the Counter
Posted by Margaret Alice (Fl) on 08/03/2015
2 days almost clear no itch Just great. Athlete's foot cream I used Equate. I had a very large ring on my neck, now it is almost all gone I feel sure it will all be gone very soon. I was told to use it for 7 days. Good luck to you all.
Over the Counter
Posted by Ron (Verona Pa) on 08/30/2015
★★★★★
I have used Lotrimin many times for Athlete's Foot and recently Ringworm. It could possibly be that all the time that I had athlete's foot, it could have actually been ringworm. I've recently been battling ringworm. (twice within the last 6 months or so) I think that last time I just hadn't applied long enough. It was gone within a couple of weeks, but when it disappeared, I quit treatment. I have used it just as the directions explain, once in the morning and once in the evening. I really didn't wash the infected area every time and it still worked well.
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Cured1 (Zion, IL) on 04/26/2009
I know this sound crazy but bleach kills the bug instantly. Take a Q-tip and swab it down with bleach, it burns just a bit letting you know the bug is being killed. Cort-aid helps the itching, as it will still itch for a bit.
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Thanksful (Mesa, Az. Usa) on 07/19/2011
★★★★★
This thing worked in two days. I applied some on a Wed night and continued periodically applying until Thurs night. Friday morning, after my shower, the dark brown spots on my face pealed off, leaving a light pink skin underneath. I didn't apply on Fri. or Sat. because I didnt want it to get dark again and I had to go to a wedding. But by Sunday morning the pink area was gone and I had no flakes or itching. I can't say for sure if it was ringworm of psoriasis or something else but Absorbine cured it in less than 2 days. I love this site. I hope this helps others who find themselves desparate for a cure. God bless
Listerine
Posted by Mike (Hartford, Ct) on 11/02/2010
★★★★☆
I have been using Listerine for several weeks now... It has worked on some of the areas where the skin is thinner. But on areas where the skin is thicker or more constantly moist, not so well. I'll be off trying bleach next as I have already tried all of the Over the Counter stuff with no success.
Listerine
Posted by Jeff (Nashville, Tn) on 11/02/2010
Be careful with the bleach!! I tried it, and the "rings" cracked open and slightly bled. I was an obvious chemical burn that I feel set me back (and really hurt). Still trying Ab Jr and have almost given up on over the counter creams. After my burn scabs go away maybe it will be better. GOOD LUCK!
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by John (Piru, CA) on 03/05/2009
★★★★★
Absorbine Jr for Ringworm: Tried ACV, Tea Tree Oil and H202 as often as possible. Up to 5 times a day on each spot. Took away the itch, but didn't seem to be getting rid of them at an efficient pace. I made the thirty minute trip to get Absorbine Jr. and I'M GLAD I DID! I put it on at least twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. I do it more often when time allows. A few of the spots have completely vanished. The rest are fading. Earth Clinic came through yet again.
Mercurochrome
Posted by Brooke (West Ipswich, Queensland/ Australia) on 02/27/2009
★★★★★
Dab Mercurochrome onto Ring worm with cotton tip, do this daily for two weeks, careful of staining fabrics. If this fails, use laundry 'Blue Bags', wet bag or block and rub on affected area forming a little paste, leave to dry, will wash off when bathing next, reapply.
Shampoo Brush, Coconut Oil
Posted by Robyn (Abingdon, MD) on 02/02/2009
21 Month Old With Scalp Ringworm: My 10 yr old son had dreadlocks for 6 yrs of his life. Once we cut his locks, we noticed that he had ringworm. So, for the past 4 yrs, we've been going back and forth trying to get rid of these things. They never have spread to any other part of his body...I've had good results with the hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar shampoo and the tea trea oil, lavender oil, and sweet almond oil conditioner; however, my younger son (21 months) has recently had a few circular spots on his hair (short hair)...I began with the same thing I'd been doing for my son last night. Also, my daughter has scaly spots on her head every now and then, but if you go to scratch them, they come up very easity and the skin looks healthy underneath the scaliness. I don't know if thats related to what the boys are experiencing. She also has a few little bumps around her the front of her hairline. I use the acv on her head every week--she has very long thick hair. We're african american. But I was wondering if I should do something more. I don't know if it is now systemic. We don't use any other supplements, etc. Please help us!
Shampoo Brush, Coconut Oil
Posted by Pam (Huntsville, AL) on 02/03/2009
★★★★★
Robyn, my four year old had ringworm on his arm and black walnut tincture from the health food store has cleared it up in less than two weeks. As far as your daughter, are you chemically straightening her hair or pressing it? I was a stylist for many years and saw a lot of what you are describing. What I would say is go to the beauty supply store and get a shampoo brush. When you shampoo her hair use the brush on her scalp with light pressure in a circular motion. This will stimulate scalp circulation. Also coconut oil applied to the scalp overnight and before any straightening will help clear the dry patches. If you find the coconut oil is too heavy,try sweet almond. if you are using petroleum jelly on her scalp and aroud her hair line this could be causing the little bumps. Hope this helps.
Shampoo Brush, Coconut Oil
Posted by Mike (Amsterdam, Europe) on 02/25/2013
Try N___ shampoo containing ketoconazole. I heard they have taken it out of a lot of pharmacies, not sure why. I've been using it as by accident I found on a forum looking for tinea versicolor sures that it has a side affect of growing hair, and then found on hairloss forums a LOT off comments (and some research) that it can make hair thicker. I had dandruff for years, and also my hair grows so slow and it's so thin you can see my scalp right though my hair. Anyway: though it stings a bit, and you should look out for any side effects, it IS an antifungal also prescribed for ringworm! And so I reccomend trying it. For me: I got rid of my dandruff! My theory: some fungussus can just live there for years in your hair and in my case make my hair quality worse... Now I feel much better, even if I don't use it anymore for a while now.
Shampoo Brush, Coconut Oil
Posted by Zsuzsi (Ireland) on 07/21/2017
Hi Robyn, it s been a few years,, did you manage to get rid of it? We're now struggling with the same, big bald spot on my 5 year old son's head..working with nizoral shampoo, apple cider vinegar, neem oil with tea tree in it..didn't want to start giving him the drug that the doctor described.so just thought I d ask how the natural approached worked for your boys..?
