Ringworm -- how to treat? archived

I think you have to use an anti-fungal, like you would for athlete's foot.

No--nail polish is not healthy for you if painted on your skin.
Kris is right an anti-fungal works fine--the stuff for jock itch is good too.

Yes, you need the anti-fungal cream...and be diligent about it, even if it seems to be gone.

I found this:



"Lamisil is a common antifungal cream used to get rid of ringworm. You've seen the commercials. Thank the lord we have things like antifungal creams. As I mentioned before, ringworm, or the fungus that causes it, is quite closely related to athlete's foot. Thus, anything that will cure the tinea that causes athlete's foot should cure your average ringworm infection."

No mention of nail polish on that site. But of course, the lamisil people probably quashed it.:bigsmile:

It's also pretty contagious, so covering the affected area is usually recommended while at school or work.

I have used clear nail polish for chigger bites, and it was the only thing that stopped the ungodly itch, but ringworm's a fungus and needs to be treated differently. In some cases, oral medications are prescribed by doctors (can't get them over-the-counter).

When I was a kid (in the fifties), treatment of ringworm of the scalp involved shaving off the hair, painting the scalp with gentian violet (bright blue-purple in color) and making the poor kid wear a stocking cap to cover up. Wasn't a fun experience, that's for sure.

I think shaving the head should be done for anyone with any fungus anywhere.

I volunteer to be the first to shave my head to cure my athletes foot.

Will post results...

Ring worm, depending on wher it is, can be resistent to the otc creams...especially near the scalp area. It could be the lack of skin there..I'm not sure, but our ped calle something in for us.

Ring worm, depending on wher it is, can be resistent to the otc creams...especially near the scalp area. It could be the lack of skin there..I'm not sure, but our ped called something in for us.

Our only experience with it was mild, and it responded quite well to Tea Tree Oil, available at Whole Foods.

Posted By: jersey_boy

I think shaving the head should be done for anyone with any fungus anywhere.

I volunteer to be the first to shave my head to cure my athletes foot.

Will post results...

:shocked:

Haha! This is just one rash, on the foot. Thanks for the tips.

Growing up my mom used Aloe Vera on ring worm and dried it right up...just break off pieces of the plant and apply the gel to the site...worked every time

My son had ringworm twice within 4 months. According to our doctor, you can treat ringworm with OTC topicals, unless it is on the scalp. If its on the scalp, it has to be treated with a prescription topical.

I got some Lomotrin for my afflicted one today -- hopefully that will do the trick.

Posted By: deborahgI got some Lomotrin for my afflicted one today -- hopefully that will do the trick.

I would return it and demand Lotrimin.:wink:

Lotrimin it till that darn thing is gone.

Ahem do you have pets? If yes check them carefully because pets are carriers of ringworm and because of fur the fungus it is ususally hard to see. You can treat your kid till the cows come home if you kitten or puppy has it you kid will get it regularly... just a thought.

Oh and yes VERY VERY spreadable.

Don't forget to shave the head too.:bigsmile:

Yes shave the head of the ringworm ;-)

Um...thanks? :shocked:

Oh it was just a joke.

By the way wash your childs sheets and socks (if it's on his foot) with bleach. If he wears his shoes without socks I would wipe them out with bleach and water.

If you have a pet check them out and should you find a spot on your pet bring it to your vet for treatment.

This is what ringworm looks like on pets but if your pet has long hair or a full coat it might be a bit harder to see.

When my cats had ringworm I treated it, as per the vet, with a bleach and water solution. I never got it but I made sure I dunked my hands in the bleach solution too!

I wasn't joking about shaving the heads! Shave 'em!

Ringworm is not a big deal, maybe a pain in the arse to get rid off for the average person but for somebody with a compromised immune system it can become really a problem so treat it aggressively and keep it covered to minimize spread.

i prefer a hot branding iron, never fails

My doc said that lamasil and other OTC athlete's foot cures won't cure ringworm, that they only work for athlete's foot. I told him that I've used it successfully in the past, and he said I must have had something other than ring worm. Um, okay, like athlete's foot of the elbow?:confused:

Handling the rescue cats , we all got it at one time or another--- I once got it on my neck and belly (from a cuddle cat) and it WAS ringworm and the OTC stuff took care of it every time.

The doctor must have liked writing prescriptions...that is the kindest thing I could think of to say about him.

over the counter stuff works just fine for ringworm. just make sure to keep applying it to the affected area even after it looks like it's gone.
(i have waaaaay too much experience with this as the mother of a wrestler. it's really common and very easily spread.)

My old boyfriend told me that the Rutgers Wrestling team was not allowed to participate in the major championship many years ago due to a ringworm outbreak. They were really pissed. LOL