Ringworm Article

Ringworm and Common Treatments

As we all know, ringworm is a fungal infection that should not be taken lightly, but should be treated seriously at first sight. Although the infectious skin rash ringworm is most common around athletes and those who participate in sports, it is also common in anybody else who either is susceptible to the rash, or comes in contact through skin to skin with anyone else that has the disease. For example, kids who have not reached the age of puberty yet are more susceptible than grown adults, especially if they are in contact a lot with many other kids their age or find themselves playing outdoors for much of the time. Fortunately, ringworm can be treated with a variety of methods and treatments, but the trick is to catch ringworm in the early stages so that either the rash does not spread on your body itself and it doesn't worsen any more than it needs too.

1. Topical Creams. This seems to be the most effective fight against ringworms, and doctors commonly prescribe these types of treatments for those who have the ringworm disease. A couple of the more beneficial creams that are sometimes even sold over the counter are Tinactin and Lotrimin. Both of these creams are known to be fast acting and known to stop the spread of ringworm. Usually when treating ringworm, if one or both of these creams are used, the application of them should be continued for 2 to 4 weeks for the disease to disappear completely. In some cases, however, ringworm will disappear after only a week of applying these creams, and treatment can cease at that time.

2. Wash the infected area, and all parts of your body, thoroughly. In other words, take a hot, long bath, or hot shower. The hot shower not only will clean the infected area, but it will also help whatever other treatment that you will apply to your skin. Washing your skin will get rid of the very outer flakes of your skin so that penetration of the creams or ointments can be more deep than if you didn't wash yourself at all.

3. Home Remedies: Papaya and Mustard Seeds. These may not seem to be common treatments for ringworm, but nonetheless, these treatments have been successful in treating the disease. Raw papaya that can be purchased at any store that has a produce section works well enough. The raw papaya should be rubbed on the skin where the ringworm exists, and should be done twice a day. If papaya is not preferred, then mustard seeds can be used. A cream can be made out of the mustard seeds and can be applied directly to the ringworm infection in that manner. This also, if being used to treat the ringworm infection, should be done at least twice a day. Usually ringworm will go away within a week with these types of treatments, and then one can stop using the papaya or mustard seeds.

No matter which remedy that you decide to use in treating ringworm, one should make sure that their action to counteract the infection of ringworm should be swift and quick. Because not only will not treating the ringworm disease make it more susceptible to being more infected, but other people will be exposed to it as well. Treat ringworm as fast as you can for the least possible consequences!