How to Kill Ringworm Systemically

Ringworm is a common skin infection caused by a fungus that eats the keratin in your skin. A ringworm infection is highly contagious. It can be spread from one person to another or from one part of your body to another. A ringworm infection can survive just about any place on your skin, including your lips, your stomach and your scalp. Although topical treatment is often used to treat a ringworm infection, when the infection site is in the scalp or fingernails, it is easier to treat it systematically with oral medication.

Instructions

• 1

  Identify the symptoms of a ringworm infection. The infection site will be itchy and appear red and scaly. The infected area may be flat, but it can also appear raised. Most of the time, a ringworm infection will form a circular infection site. In some cases, the infected area may form a ring, with a healthy looking section in the middle. If the ringworm infection is on your scalp, you may also experience patches of hair loss.

• 2

  Seek medical attention. Most types of ringworm infection can be treated at home, but over the counter medication is usually topical. Ring infection in the scalp, the fingernails or other inconvenient infection sites are best treated systemically. Oral ringworm medication is available through prescription drugs from your health care provider.

• 3

  Choose which form of oral ringworm medication that would best fit your situation. Tablets of griseofulvin are recommended for adults or older children. Babies or toddlers would probably be more likely to tolerate the liquid form of griseofulvin. In some cases, terbinafine hydrocline granules sprinkled on food is more effective for treatment.

• 4

  Take the medication for up to six weeks. You may not notice an improvement right away, but you should continue to take the medication as directed until it is completely gone.

• 5

  While you take the oral ringworm treatment, avoid irritating or spreading your ringworm infection. Avoid touching it with your hands. If you do touch it, wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching anything else. Wash any clothing or accessories that may have come in contact with the infected area and do not share clothing or accessories with others until the ringworm infection is gone