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.
Bar Soap
Posted by Laurie (Daejeon, South Korea) on 01/24/2012
I got ringworm from my cat, and I've gone through at least 2-3 cycles of infection now over a period of 2 months. I tried anti-fungal creams. Since it's in Korean and my doctor has limited English, I wasn't sure what the active ingredients were. But I tried 2-3 different types of creams and none helped, one even made it much worse. I even desperately tried bleach... Very bad idea. Wounds festered. I tried apple cider vinegar-much the same as the bleach.
What works: Use bar soap, lather well so that a thick white foam appears over all ringworm spots, let air dry for about 10-20 minutes, gently rinse. Repeat at least 2x/day. I'm doing this plus taking anti-fungal pills once a week. I've ordered Absorbine Jr. at the recommendation of this site. I intend to apply that as well, but it is not available in Korea and I've had to order it online.
Bar Soap
Posted by Ruth (Glendora, Ca) on 01/25/2012
Try patting milk of magnesia on the ringworm and letting it dry for 20 minutes then washing it off. This remedy worked for me when I had Cheilitis on my lips when steroids and anti fungal cream did not! Thanks to Ted and this site for this wonderful natural remedy!
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Len (Florence, Sc) on 01/01/2012
The Absorbine is the arthritis rub. However, when you read the side of the box it does say it is for athletes foot/ringworm.
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Mataravj (Fremont, Ca) on 07/30/2012
Absorbine is a menthol pain reliever and it helps ring worm. So people please dont look for Absorbine Jr for Ringworm. It is the pain reliever that works.
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Benjamin (Las Vegas, NV) on 01/29/2015
The new Formula (Absorbine Plus Jr) does not say on the label it is meant to treat fungal infections such as jock itch or athletes foot. It does say for arthritis in the list. My local research tells me that the original formula is only online and the new formula PLUS is in all the stores. The original formula has all the same ingredients except a lower Menthol 1.27% vs 4% and the original has absinthium oil (Wormwood) as a main ingredient which the Plus formula has taken out.
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Catherine (Nc) on 05/17/2016
Wormwood is an ingredient listed on the Absorbine Plus. Just purchased it from cvs today.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Jqueen (Atlanta, Ga, 30309) on 06/20/2011
★★★★★
Try rubbing alcohol for ring worms. I got one a few months ago and was going crazy trying to look for fungus cream until I said forget it and tried rubbing alcohol. Gone in a few days.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Matthew (Berkeley, Ca) on 03/02/2010
★★★★★
I feel so lucky to have found this website! I had a nasty patch of ringworm that was getting out of control since I thought it was some sort of weird bug bite and was doing nothing for it except worrying. After a month of it getting larger and itchier, my friend finally diagnosed it as ringworm and found this website for me. What a Godsend! I immediately soaked a folded paper towel with Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)and layed it on the area. There was an immediate reaction and I could tell it was killing the ringworm fungus. The itching was gone almost instantaneously. I repeatedly kept the paper towel wet with ACV for a couple hours, then I lightly wet a large bandage with Tea Tree Oil, placed it on the sore and went to bed. I did the same thing the next night, only that time it really stung because the patch was all opened up and blister-y. Tea Tree bandage again, which also hurts. But those two treatments completely turned it around and its almost all healed less than a week later!! I've also been dabbing tea tree on it as it's healing, and I've been drinking little shots (1/2 oz.)of the ACV twice a day as well. All in all, this was an amazingly effective treatment and a real no-brainer (also completely natural and non-toxic!). I hope this info may help someone else. ACV goes to work immedietly and seems to kill ringworm on contact!!!
Fresh Pecan Hulls
Posted by Sabrina (Houston, Tx) on 02/07/2010
★★★★★
In November of 2009, my 6 year old daughter had a fingertip sized ringworm just next to her eye. Due to the delicate area the best choice for a remedy was the black walnut hull. But we had no walnut trees nearby, only pecans. I reasoned that since the pecan was a genus of the walnut family, it stood a great chance of success. I went outside and grabbed a pecan off the tree.
The outer green part surrounding the pecan in its shell is what is used. Wearing gloves (the tannin in the hull stains a lovely shade of brown), I cut a 1/4 inch piece. With my daughter laying down, unaware of the impending horror, I commenced. I squeezed the hull until the liquid appeared. I rubbed the liquid directly onto the ringworm and used tissue to mop any excess. After about 30 seconds my daughter began to cry out. The process burned terribly. I explained that the burning sensation most likely meant that we were killing the fungus, so at least the pain would be productive. I spent 20 minutes blowing on the area and my poor daughter went to sleep quite upset. However...
The next morning, the ringworm area had begun to scab. It was not pretty to look at. That night my daughter was afraid to let me touch her. I had to wait until she was asleep to apply the pecan hull. She awoke during the end of the process (quite angry and annoyed at my tactic). The next day the scab was huge and crusty. I had not read anywhere about the appearance after the application and I hoped that it would slough off quickly. The 4th night (taking a forced break on the 3rd night) I reasoned with my daughter that we would apply more pecan hull liquid and it would only sting if there was still live fungus under the scab, otherwise it should be painless. She weighed it out and realized that she wanted the thing totally gone, so we proceeded. This time, no sting and it lightly stained the skin surrounding the scab. That was it.
The scab lasted about 4 weeks. It was ugly and thick and showed no sign of leaving. We would cover it with a bandage coated with cornstarch to keep the adhesive from pulling on the sensitive skin near the eye. Finally the scab began to decrease. After about a month the scab totally came off, but a red scar remained. Now after 6 weeks, the scar has faded to a barely visible mark and I feel confident that the cure worked.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Azg (Toronto, On) on 01/10/2010
★★★★★
I had a tiny incidence of ringworm on the top of my foot last summer and applied Oil of Oregano to it 3 or 4 times a day. I also put about 10 drops in a shotglass with water and threw it back (and chased it with juice). It's so powerful I just wanted to get it over with! My foot cleared up within 2 or 3 days.
Bleach
Posted by Jacques (Marshall, Nc) on 12/04/2009
Hello Renee from Ray City Georgia, a most effective treatment for ring worms is colorless iodine, or bleach iodine, same stuff, I had rings worms and a dear friend told me about it, it is getting hard to find in drug stores but easily gotten on the net. This iodine will do short work of a long standing problem, I have done two applications at 12 hours intervals and that was done.
I love this site,
Jacques
Turmeric, Bicarb Soda, Coconut Oil Paste
Posted by Shine (Gabs, Botswana) on 05/10/2009
★★★★★
My 5 year old niece had ringworms on her knee (she had this one for a while, it just kept scabbing and growing) and thighs( this one was new) and I first rubbed both with lemon slice and then proceeded to rub with a mixture of tumeric, bicarbonate of soda and coconut oil (just form a paste no need for exact measurements). I left the paste on for about 10 min (please be careful with clothing, the paste will stain) washed it off and then applied castor oil on it. 2 days later the old one is gone just scar left and the new one is slightly visible but not itching. Am going to continue till all gone.
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Warren (San Diego, CA) on 04/26/2009
★★★★★
I have had reoccuring problems with ringworm for about 28 years, when I contracted it overseas in the military. For anyone who has ever had problems with ringworm, you know how irrating the itching and how fast the fungus can spread on your skin where areas stay warm and moist.
After using various antifungal creams off and on for many years, the ringworm would come back, and in the summer time, it would come back with a vengance.
Thank God I happened to find this website that suggested using Absorbine Jr. to address the spreading skin infection.
For the last week, I had a strong outbreak of ringworm in my groin area, and I guess I scratched it, and it got infected and started creating a hard mass under teh skin that was very painful and for obvious reasons, concerned me greatly. After reading several of your wonderful comments of using Absorbine Jr. to stop the ringworm spread, I went to my local CVS store and bought a bottle of the regular liquid with the sponge applicator on top.
I was amazed after applying the liquid on the affected areas, that the itch immediately went away, and within a couple of hours, I could actually see the angry red areas start to return back to the normal skin color.
The Absorbine Jr. did burn a bit on several areas that were pretty raw, but after fanning the area with a newspaper, the burning went away, as did the constant itching that I have had to endure for all these years.
The infected painful mass that was brewing under the skin also was smaller and the skin starting to return to normal color the next morning when I woke up, so with regular applications of this wonderful Absorbine Jr., I think I finally have located a product that will help me be more comfortable in the future. I am grateful for all the wonderful people who shared their experiences because as I type this sitting in my recliner at home, for the first time in about 28 years, I am not itching.
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Marnie (Battle Lake, Minnesota) on 05/30/2010
★★★★☆
last summer it took me 3 months to get rid of my ringworm....tried everything - i had 7 spots on my arm. This year i have gotten a large spot on the palm of my hand. I am diabetic and always are concern about infections.... Bleach, vinegar, anti fungal meds nothing was changing it this year, it just keep growing. bleach did do the trick last year but that took 3 months of constant care and bleaching. I saw the absorbine jr post ordered it immediately....i have been using only it non stop for about 5 days, every days it looks better....this is the best cure of ringworm - thank you for doing this post. I am a dairy farmer so we are going to try this on a 4-H calves if they get ringworm in the next month so they do not have it when fair times comes.........thank you so much for posting this....
Anti-Fungal Diet
Posted by Jas (Allen, Tx) on 10/19/2011
Hello Diane, I have been a ringworm sufferer for about 7 years. I just wanted to know how long did you have to stay on your anti-fungal diet before you completely got rid of your ringworm? I'm going to try it..... I desperately need something internally in order to completely rid this plague. Thanks so much for all of your help! jas
Over the Counter
Posted by Margaret Alice (Fl) on 08/01/2015
★★★★★
I was told to use athlete's foot cream. I think it is working. I tried lots of stuff but this is the best. No itch.
Over the Counter
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 08/03/2015
Hello Margaret,
Re "ringworm"....
The OTC suggestion is good...I've used Lamisil very successfully.
Liquid Bandaid With Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Kelly (PawPaw, MI) on 03/23/2009
★★★★★
I I had a small spot of ringworm on my wrist that I tried treating with iodine and antifungal cream while keeping it bandaged. Neither worked, and in fact the ringworm spot just got bigger. So, I got a no sting, liquid bandage spray at the pharmacy. This spray also has tea tree in it, but I added about 2 cc's to the .61 fl oz spray bottle. I sprayed the ringworm 2-3 times a day, adding a second coat when the first was dry, and made sure I sprayed a large area around the spot as well. I then covered the entire spot with a regular, non-stick bandage. After 3 weeks of other treatments that only made it spread, I saw a major improvement in just 2 days. In a week the spot had faded to nothing, but I kept treating it for an additional 2 weeks, and it's never been back!
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Janet (Richton, Ms. USA) on 03/25/2009
Jock itch cream will get rid of ringworm. Just apply cream on ringworm 2 or 3 times a day and about 2 or 3 days ringworm is gone.
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Tri (Columbia, Sc) on 01/12/2010
Cured1 from Zion, IL you are exactly right. Dab a cotton ball in some bleach and apply it to your ringworm twice a day and in about 2 days you will see your ringworm start to go away. The only thing is you have to continue applying it to the same area for about 2 wks because ringworm WILL come back if you stop the treatment too soon.
Listerine
Posted by Trina (Casa Grande, Arizona) on 03/17/2009
★★★★★
for a ring worm listerine mouthwash works wonders. you will notice immediate change just thought you might want to know.
Listerine
Posted by Toni (Pa, US) on 10/03/2014
You should see a doctor if you have had this for this long & have had little relief. I have dermatitis on my hands. You can get it many places on your body & have it not spread to other areas. It can easily be controled, but it is not a fungus. They gave me steroid cream for my hands.. & without it I don't know what I would do! Nothing else will take it away! Please see a doctor.. & good luck!
Listerine
Posted by Sp (Wb, NJ) on 10/03/2014
Please don't use topical steroids for more than one week.
White Vinegar
Posted by Sherry (New Orleans, Louisiana) on 03/13/2009
★★★★★
My Grandmother would always cure the family's ringworm with white vinegar and a penny. She would soak the penny in a cup of vinegar over night and then place the penny on the site with a bandage. The results are amazing in that the ring worm would began drying the same day and the itching would almost cease immediately. I reminded my brother of this remedy when my niece had a ring worm. He stated that he soaked the penny over night but only applied the penny periodically ( no bandage) and it worked just like always! Thank you grandma!
White Vinegar
Posted by Jojo (Nyc, Ny) on 11/04/2010
★★★★★
I had a small ringworm lesion on my leg about the size of a quarter. I doused it with tea tree oil and it dried up but did not go away, also did not spread which was a plus. Tried the same with iodine baths, no luck. Then, I decided to try this penny thing. I soaked the penny in white vinegar and dabbed vinegar on my sore. I then placed penny on the spot and taped it over securely. Left it on overnight. In the morning I removed it to find very good results. I cleaned it with iodine and removed some dead skin. I then repeated the penny/vinegar bit and left it on for the whole day. I changed dressing in morning and night and did this for 3 days (probably overkill) but I have a 15 month old and REALLY did not want her to get this too. Fourth day, I cleaned it really well with iodine and put tea tree oil on. And 5th day, I realized it was sooo very dead and now required a lot of moisturizing ;-)
As you can see, I basically did a few of these home remedies altogether and it worked. I did go to the doctor and got a prescription for the cream, but I am glad I could save my money.
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Lynn (Clay Springs, Arizona) on 04/21/2010
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I have been dealing with a skin condition since last October, it went crazy 10 days after I had some amalgm filling removed. At first it was not ring shaped just large crusty lesions that were itchy, raised patches of red skin. It quickly spread from one leg to the other then both my arms. It finally came up round and ringed in a few places then I knew it was ringworm. I finally read on Earth Clinic about the Absorbine treatment, yea finally it is starting to dry up. I have used it for several days, three times a day. My skin seems to be cracking open some and I am concerned. I put natural lotions on and it does itch some for a while them calms down. Does anyone have an idea what I can use to moisturize my skin that won't start up the ringworm again. Does anyone have scarring for the lesions? I am worried about this. I tried Aloe Vera gel and that was a huge mistake, I was in great pain for about 18hrs, untill I went to the store for Absorbine Jr.
White Vinegar
Posted by Lydia (Okemos, Michigan) on 02/21/2009
★★★★★
I have had ringworm for about 3 weeks now. I can't seem to get rid of it and have no idea where I got it from. Its absolutly disgusting. I have tried every cream possible, and nothing is working to stop the itch. I have used tea tree oil, and that seems to dry it up. I finally decided after reading many stories that vinegar helps fungus to use white vinegar. It stopped the itching, made my skin clear, and I think it killed that nasty mess on contact. I have been spraying my carpets and shower with vinegar and water mixed everyday to keep further fungus from coming near me. I hope this helps someone else with ringworm.
Bleach
Posted by morgan (constantia, NY) on 01/17/2009
★★★★★
Me and everybody in my family, a 12, 14, 9, 8, and 7 year old, got ring worm including the two family pets and we could not figure out how to get rid of it and someone recommended bleaching them with Clorox Bleach so have been trying it and the 7 and 8 year olds are gone afer four days of using it. the 14 year old and the 12 and the 9 year olds are somewhat gone so are going to keep using it but i totally recommend using the Clorox Bleach to get rid of ringworm it is the best and oo yea if your family pet has the ringworm go to the vet and get the pills for animals, not the cream, it doesnt work.
Ginger
Posted by Karen (Osage City, Kansas) on 01/10/2009
★★★★★
I got ringworm in the corner of my mouth. A bad place to get it. I have been using ginger on it. The ground ginger and the ginger root bought at Wal-Mart. Scrape the root with a knife apply to the ringworm. Then put on the powder. They say ginger has 23 anti fungus fighters.
Remedies That Didn't Work
Posted by GJ (Springfield, Ohio) on 01/04/2009
T3from Chicago, are you sure what you have is ringworm? I have a niece who was told she had everything from ringworm to dermatitis to eczema. Much like you she battled it for several years with it spreading to different areas of her body. Certain foods and heat and sun exposure made it worse. Finally one very alert Pediatric Rheumatologist recognised her skin condition as Skin Lupus, confirmed by a skin biopsy.
Menthol and Wormwood Oil
Posted by Ben (Denver, CO) on 12/19/2008
★★★★★
I had a spot of ringworm on the back of my hand, and tried treating it first with black walnut extract, which seemed to make it redder and incubate it more than anything. I then read about tea tree oil and tried that, applying it 3-4 times a day for a week and a half. This seemed to dry out the whole area, killing everything and seeming to take care of the ringworm. If I kept applying it, it seemed like the skin underneath would never heal so I lessened my applications down to 1 or none each day, and as the skin came back to life, it appeared as though the ringworm was rejuvenating as well, and not only that, but was now getting larger. I reverted to black walnut extract, which I'd forgotten hadn't really worked the first time, and had the same effect (seemingly spreading/incubating the fungus). I was getting a little frustrated after 2 weeks and no effects, so I tried ACV and wrapping the ringworm in garlic under a bandage for a night--in the morning it was as red as ever. Read about Absorbine Jr. on this website and got some from the pharmacy 1st thing in the morning. 4 applications a day for two days, it's now day three, and I don't want to be too optimistic but the spot is barely visible any longer and the ringworm appears to be dying out completely. There was noticeable improvement just within the first 12 hours after the first application, and each day I see progressive improvement, and no major skin death/drying out as with the tea tree oil.
Absorbine Jr. appears to be the cure my ringworm was asking for, and at $9 a bottle, well worth it. Thanks, Earth Clinic, for pointing me toward this.
(If for any reason this fails and the ringworm comes back within the next few days, I'll report back)
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by CAZZA (GLASGOW, Lanarkshire, Scotland) on 11/17/2008
★★★★★
My son was driving himself (and me) mad with his itchy skin patches, for which the doctor prescribed Cannestan, which is used for treating fungal infections, but has a steroid in it so can thin the skin. I wasn't very happy about it, but I would have done anything to stop my son's irritation. However, it wasn't working very quickly and I could see his itchy area spreading and going on for weeks and weeks. It was at this point of desperation that I found this web site and was astonished at the variety of natural remedies. I had some tea tree oil (diluted) in my medicine cabinet to treat spots, so I put it on my son and within days it was gone. I just put the tea tree on a cotton bud and spread it over the affected area, which was quite large. I have now gone out and bought a new bottle of tea trea oil for any future breakouts. I would try this again and would also try garlic and the apple cider vinegar.
Urine
Posted by Michelle (Mansfield, OH) on 10/09/2008
★★★★★
I haven't actually tried this myself but am quite sure it works, due to the fact that the fungus that causes ringworm is the same as athlete's foot. My reason for this conclusion is that my husband who was in the Marine corp from 94-98 was taught that if ever he was to get athlete's foot and could not get medical treatment to urinate on it. and he says it did work.
