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.
Fig Tree Sap
Posted by Alejandra (Templeton, CA) on 10/25/2008
★★★★★
I used the sap of a fig tree to heal my ring worm on my ankle. I had tried tea tree oil and it didn't work for me but the sap cleared it up by the next day! I used a knife to peel a piece off of the trunk and rub it all over the ringworm. It worked for me!
Garlic
Posted by Julie (Larose, Louisiana) on 09/30/2008
★★★★★
i work in a medical clinic and contracted a ringworm from one of my young patients. the nurse told me to buy some otc antifungal cream and it would be gone in about 3 weeks. i have been interested in alternative meds for sometime, so i grabbed one of my books and read that garlic is antifungal. i bought a head of garlic, sliced a clove of it quite thin, applied it to the ringworm,covered it with a bandaid, and waited. now the chemicals in garlic will burn the skin for a minute or so, but after applying the garlic 3 nights in a row, the ringworm disappeared. i recommend this remedy to everyone. garlic works for lots of things.
Garlic
Posted by Okarel (Houston, Texas) on 06/25/2008
★★★★★
Garlic works for ringworm. It smells bad, but it works. You should buy a cheese grater and then grate the garlic. Once the garlic is grated, get a cotton boll or a clean napkin and apply in the area. It's going to burn but it helps do this at least 3 times a day: once in the morning and one time during the day and last but not least, during the night. But make sure you clean your face first with warm water then dry with a clean towel.. =] good luck=]
Fig Tree Sap
Posted by James Lindon (Greenville, South Carolina USA) on 09/16/2007
★★★★★
re: Natural Cure Ringworm -- I tried the Fig leaf sap as someone suggested and I will tell you it was gone the next day!
Garlic
Posted by Brenda (San Antonio, TX) on 03/03/2007
★★★★★
Take a fresh clove of garlic. Cut it, rub the juicy piece on the ringworm 3 x day. It'll be gone in a couple of days. It does sting a bit, but not for long. Tried it on me and my neighbor kids with great success.
Nu Skin Liquid Bandage
Posted by Liz (NC) on 08/26/2006
★★★★★
My roomate and I both got ringworm from a stray cat. We tried all the creams (both prescription and drugstore brands), and hydrogen peroxide (which I assume, does the same as ACV = dries it out). Nothing was working. In fact, it was even spreading. I then was told to used the liquid bandaids. I chose the spray on one because you don't have to touch the infection. It does the same thing nailpolish is supposed to do (suffocates it), however it doesn't crack off. I just kept reapplying the bandaid, and tried not to rub it off after the shower. My ringworm dissapeared in no time at all. I must say that even though I was careful about not touching it, my roomate didn't use the bandaid and her's came back several times. Mine did not come back at all.
Vicks VapoRub
Posted by Sam (Paris, France) on 07/14/2025
★★★★★
Hi, I've been dealing with three stubborn ringworms — as persistent as chewing gum stuck under your shoe!
I've tried so many remedies: ozonated olive oil, Lugol's 5%, hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar (ACV)... The last one I used was ACV. It burned like hell and left open sores that oozed continuously.
After doing some research on natural treatments, I decided to try Vicks VapoRub on my ringworms — and guess what? It works! It's such a relief to see them fading day by day. I use this ointment on my skin twice a day.
Unlike ACV, which burns the skin, Vicks gives a warming sensation without the pain.
Vicks VapoRub contains key ingredients like camphor, menthol, turpentine oil, and eucalyptus, which studies have shown to be effective against certain skin infections.
Thanks to Earth Clinic, I initially considered trying Absorbine Jr., but it contains acetone, which I wanted to avoid.
If you're struggling with stubborn ringworms, give Vicks VapoRub a try — it's working wonders for me. I've included some study links below for reference.
Camphror : Is Camphor the Future in Supporting Therapy for Skin Infections?
Source : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11206849/
Menthol : Menthol Inhibits Candida albicans Growth by Affecting the Membrane Integrity Followed by Apoptosis
Source : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9635957/
Turpentine : Turpentine Ointment in Bacterial Skin Infections: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial
Source : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11078321/
Eucalyptus : A systematic and comprehensive review on current understanding of the pharmacological actions, molecular mechanisms, and clinical implications of the genus Eucalyptus
Source : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667031321000713
Benzoyl Peroxide
Posted by Teejay24 (Fort Worth, Tx) on 01/09/2025
★★★★★
I passed on some fungal spores from my nails unto my legs which caused me to have several itchy spots. I shaved both my legs then underarms and ended up passing spores to my underarms. My underarms became very itchy I would normally treat it with coconut oil mixed with tea tree and oregano oil but this time it was much more irritating and it wasn't helping much. So much so it would wake me up at night and it was very bothersome to feel the need to scratch. I tried another persons remedy for their jock itch on my underarms which was the benzoyl peroxide cream and I was so surprised at how fast it worked. I wasn't sure if me taking Zyrtec or applying the cream helped but the next day I continued and took no Zyrtec for itchiness and surely it was the cream that brought immediate relief! I'm still applying it 3x a day and also treating the several spots on my legs with it and keeping a bandaid over it to remember where to apply and basically to keep it coated with it. But it dries up either way. I will keep on applying this cream I hope it helps you guys out too.
Ozonated Olive Oil
Posted by Lou (Canada) on 05/11/2022
★★★★★
Ozonated Olive Oil for Ringworm/Tinea
I have had ringworm on my back for a few years and this past winter it exploded. The topical creams from my doctor stopped working. Finally went to see my naturopath and she put me on an anti-fungal protocol for a month. And she gave me ozonated olive oil to use topically. I use that twice a day and the marks have almost completely disappeared in 10 days. It smells strong (kind of rancid - but it's the ozone) but it works amazingly well. This is the one I have. https://www.shaughnessypharmacy.com/products/ozonated-olive-oil
Keep it refrigerated to keep it potent. Wear an old t-shirt while sleeping so you protect your bedding. Multiple thin applications are better than one thick one.
I have tried everything for this and am blown away by the effectiveness of the ozone. I hope it helps others.
Rubbing Alcohol, Clotrimazole Cream
Posted by Lin (Haverhill, MA) on 05/10/2022
★★★★★
I treated my ringworm with rubbing alcohol and clotrimazole cream and it cleared up in about two weeks. I tried cleaning the area before applying the cream with hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, then apple cider vinegar, but the rubbing alcohol seems to have been effective. After cleaning, I'd put a glob of the cream and cover it for 48 hours with a waterproof bandage (the Nexcare Max Hold Waterproof bandages are great), repeated for a few weeks and it's almost completely cleared up. Also tried the clear nail polish for a few days, to no avail.
Nail Polish
Posted by KT (Usa) on 07/17/2017
Dear Alex,
When our daughter picked up ringworm I was advised by our nurse practitioner that ringworm is the same fungus as ladies' yeast infections. Get some Miconazole Nitrate and try that.
KT
Nail Polish
Posted by Alex (Latin America) on 09/30/2017
KT, I sincerely appreciate it that you took the time to offer me advice.
I tried the Miconazole and, unfortunately, it didn't work.
I've been using undecilenic acid + zinc for almost two years (I know, I shouldn't be using it so long) to keep it “under control”, meaning that the infection is there but it doesn't spread.
After I started using the Miconazole Nitrate, I obviously stopped with the other one, that's when the infection spread, and within two days it covered my whole wrist as well as part of my arm.
So I went back to the undecilenic cream, and now it's back to “normal"; it's not visible, but the moment I stop applying it, it grows back.
I'm of course sad that it didn't work, but at least I tried.
DMSO, Oregano Oil
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn.) on 06/11/2016
HI U SUSEEQ,,,,,,,,,,,,, I'm not an expert in this area but use hydrogen peroxide in my water bed. The reason rain water is better for your plants is that it contains H2O2 it acquires by falling through Ozone in the atmosphere. I also use an aerator in my water bed where I start most of my plants and then transfer them to a pot or directly to the garden. You can over do H2O2.
Our Bill Munro healed himself and then began using H2O2 in his garden. He wrote up his trails on the internet.
http://proliberty.com/observer/20030112.htm
Wish you well. ======ORH========
Oregano Oil
Posted by Healwithn8ture (Katy, Texas) on 02/01/2016
★★★★★
I had a ringworm on my left thumb that was super itchy. I tried apple cider vinegar for a few days & it was working, but not as fast as I wanted it to work. It stopped the itch, but an hour later the itch would come back with a vengeance. I heard about "Oregano Oil" so I grabbed a band-aid & I applied 3-4 drops of oregano oil to the band-aid and I placed the ban-aid on the ringworm. I would do this in the morning & I would leave the band-aid on for 6-8 hours a day and in the evening I would remove the band-aid & re-apply a new one with 3-4 drops of "Oregano Oil" again. I did this for 3 days & the ringworm went away.
(**WARNING** It will burn your skin a little bit, but it actually felt good because of the itch.)
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Lady Mars (Lithia, Fl) on 04/10/2015
★★★★★
Hi, I live in hot and humid Florida so every now and then get a touch of athlete's foot or other form of ringworm. Have tried many things over the years, with aloe vera being one of the best at relieving the itch but so-so at curing it completely. Decided to try rubbing alcohol since that was the highest rated remedy on EC. Just rub it on a couple times a day. Cures the itching quickly and dries it up. Works the best of anything I've ever tried.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Laurel (Usa) on 05/13/2015
★★★★★
Aloe Vera also worked for me, after trying Absorbine, and a multitude of other things. I had it everywhere. I tried bathing in Selsun Blue-no results, but upon using Aloe Vera, in two weeks it was completely gone, and has not come back. NO side effects either. I use pure AV (clear, no color to it, nor lidocaine) Mine is 100% aloe gel.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Flagg (Fl.) on 08/10/2015
I had a ring worm when I was a little girl and grandpa put some black gun powder in some Vaseline and put it on the ring worm, than put a band aid on it. Since then I have done this many times to other people and it always works in about 3 to 4 days and with no pain and the ring worm never comes back.
Chloroxylenon
Posted by Tineacured (India) on 09/04/2014
★★★★★
Tinea can get stubborn depending on the fungal strain and the site of infection.
Had a Tinea for 12 years. Had tried all possible solutions/ointments/natural remedies, some of them at full strength and also the liver damaging oral anti-fungals. Want to share the simplest remedy that healed me.
Dettol Antiseptic Disinfectant contains the active ingredient CHLOROXYLENOL 4.8 % w/v and this is also called PCMX which is recommended at 1 % for hand sanitation.
So, about 1% or 1/5th dilution should help if applied thrice a day. Higher concentrations 1/4 or 1/3 or 1/2 is more effective but stings a lot and dries the infection faster and use your judgement while applying in the sensitive areas.
The first application makes the skin dark and dries the outer infected layers and this will fall off within 3-7 days. This can be hastened by the use of salicylic acid soap or ointment that sheds the old skin.
Then target the next layer.
Continue daily or bi-weekly application of the diluted Dettol Antiseptic solution even after cure to ensure continued protection. This is very easy.
Sceptics can google "Gordochom Topical Antifungal" to know how this works.
Among those affected by chloroxylenol are candida albicans, aspergillus niger, aspergillus flavus, trichophyton rubrum, trichophyton mentagrophytes, penicillum luteum and epidermophyton floccosum.
One MUST discuss with the health care practitioner before attempting any treatment.
Iodine
Posted by Toourlady89 (Hayward, Ca) on 09/29/2013
★★★★★
I have used Lugol's Iodine for ringworm. My nephew had it in his thigh. I had him apply Iodine to the area twice a day and it cleared in about a week. I googled how to use it, I used 4% Iodine.
Paper or Wood Ash
Posted by Red Robyn (Tx) on 07/26/2013
★★★★★
Ringworm was treated with ashes from burned paper and/or hard wood ashes from the fire place, both seemed to work very good and fast. Rub on morning and night and every time we thought about it in between. It also worked on our cats, we put it on their skin and their bedding.
Coconut Oil
Posted by David (British Columbia) on 03/20/2025
★★★★★
I found this to work very well, although I used regular, fractionated oil - the liquid part of the oil only, and it was refined and cheap. Fungus hates coconut oil!
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Itchy (Howell, Nj) on 08/15/2012
I replied on 8/9 to the warning post.
Since 8/9 I put it absorbine on 4 times a day... They forgot a few times here and there.... It actually got a little worse for a few days... Then... As of Today it is clearly going away. I dont own stock in absorbine... Lol..... As your skin scabs over and you wash dead skin off gently in the shower or bath... You will feel some intence pain when applying it.... I should have taken pictures. I will update once 1oo% .. So less than one week massive improvement. After taking steroids orally and topically... And keflex... And another antibiotic.... bleach baths and oatmeal baths.
3! Trips to the doctor... 1 to the emergency room because I was out of state. 3 months later this is the only thing that has worked...
NOT ONCE DID ANY OF THEM TAKE A CULTURE...I GUESS THEY LIKE RETURN CUSTOMERS!!!! DOCTORS ARE JUST AS BAD AS LAWYERS
Clear Nail Polish
Posted by Diamond (St Ann, Jamaica) on 09/11/2013
★★★★★
Clear Nail Polish really works miracle for ringworm, saw some testimonies and tried it and I was surprised. It really work.
