Homeopathic Cure for Ringworm in Children

Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection that commonly affects children. It can affect just about anywhere on the body, but is commonly found on the scalp, feet, and nails. Ringworm can be transmitted through direct contact with the infected child, or by indirect transmission by contact with an infected object. There are several homeopathic remedies that can be used to treat the infection effectively, and safely in children.

Topical Herbal Remedies

• There are a handful of herbs known to be effective for safely treating ringworm in children. Most of these can be topically applied, either in the form of paste or a poultice.

  The most common topical herbal treatment is turmeric powder. Mix it with a little bit of water to form a paste and apply it directly to the infected area. Let it dry then wash it off. You'll notice that the skin becomes quite dry and tight feeling; this is because the turmeric powder will dry out your skin, depriving the fungus of its moisture. For a bonus effect, you can also make a paste of turmeric and honey, then take this internally.

  Papaya is also excellent for treating ringworm infections. Simply cut a fresh slice of papaya and rub the flesh side against the infection. Papaya contains enzymes that will soften and heal the skin. You can mix this with the turmeric treatment as a follow up to prevent excess dryness.

  If you have neither of these ingredients available, there are a couple of common herbs that you can try. Mustard seeds can be ground to a powder, then mixed with honey and applied directly to the infection. Holy basil, the most common type of basil, can be bruised and turned into a poultice then directly applied to the infection as well. Bruise them well, as it's the juices you're after. Likewise, you can extract the juice and wash the infected area if you feel the poultice is inadequate.

Homeopathic Non-herbal Topical Treatments

• Apple cider vinegar is known to help kill fungal infections, and you can apply it to the infection using a soaked cotton ball. You'll need to keep it on the infected area overnight, so make sure to bandage it well to keep it in place.

  Another popular remedy is a light mudpack, which can be applied twice daily for a half hour each. This will provide cooling pain relief and keep the area dry, making the environment hostile to fungal growth.

Managing Your Child's Diet

• Ringworms in children are commonly the result of an omega fatty acid deficiency. Fatty acids in the skin help to prevent against microbial infections such as bacteria and fungus by enhancing the skin's protective abilities. When they are lacking, the skin doesn't function as optimally and a person becomes prone to infections. Fatty acids are found in quantities in fish, dark leafy green vegetables, and flax.

  Managing your child's diet is especially important if he or she is prone to chronic ringworm infections. While most people will probably experience such an infection in their life, recurring ringworm is a sign that your child's body is likely lacking fatty acids. Introducing a fatty acid supplement into your child's diet will not only help treat ringworms, but also protect in the future.

  While affected with a ringworm, it's a good idea to keep your child away from caffeine, sugar, white flour products, and foods with an excessive amount of chemical flavorings or sweeteners. Opt instead for vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Make sure he gets lots of fresh air and drinks plenty of water. Juices such as carrot and spinach are excellent for helping to treat ringworm infections. You can have your child drink it, or apply an equal mix of these two juices topically on the infection.

  If you can manage it, you may also put your child onto a diet consisting of mainly fresh fruit and milk. Choose fruits such as apples, papayas, pineapples, pomegranates, oranges and grapefruit to be eaten at regular hourly intervals for five hours. After one day of this, introduce steamed vegetables and whole wheat tortillas. Milk or curd may be added on day three.