How to Remove Ring Worm

You may have heard of ringworm before or have dealt with the circular-shaped infection on yourself, family or pets. Ring worm is actually a misnomer for this common fungus, which results in a circular, scaly, reddish shape on the skin. Left unchecked, ring worm can be passed back and forth between your loved ones and pets (via touch, clothing and common areas such as showers). Fortunately, there are several methods to deal with ring worm, some of which involve common household items--many of which work by removing moisture from the area.

Things You'll Need

• Tea tree oil
• Vegetable oil
• Nail polish
• Iodine solution
• Vinegar
• Antifungal lotion

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Instructions

Home Remedies

• 1

  Treat the infected area with an oil-based product such as tea tree, olive, walnut or vegetable oil. Apply oil to the infected area four to six times per day.

• 2

  Apply nail polish to the infected area every two to three hours. Peel off the old layer of nail polish (to remove moisture and a layer of skin) before applying a new layer.

• 3

  Treat the infected area with a water-based solution such as vinegar or Iodine solution once daily until the infection clears.

Medications

• 4

  Purchase an over-the-counter anti-fungal cream to treat the ringworm infection. Look for a product that has miconazole 2 percent (Monistat or Micatin) or clotrimazole 1 percent (Lotrimin and Mycelex).

• 5

  Visit your doctor to obtain a prescription for multiple or extensive ringworm infections. Your doctor may prescribe a more powerful topical solution as well as medication to help relieve any itching the infection may have caused, or a pill form of anti-fungal medication. In extreme cases, your doctor may surgically drain the infection.

• 6

  Follow the full course of instructions (either from your doctor or the medication packaging) to fully treat the ringworm infection.