Ringworm in Children
Ring worm is usually a mild fungal infection that affects the skin, particularly the body, scalp, feet and groin. A ring worm rash would look like a red circular lesion on the skin with a scaly border. The area can be quite itchy. When it affects the scalp, it may cause hair loss and dandruff like scaling. When it affects the feet, patchy rashes that are itchy appear as fissures between the toes. Parents usually use topical steroids for the infection, but it is best that you resort to them only if the home remedies do not work and under strict medical supervision.
Before trying out home remedies, there are a few precautionary measures you must take. If you have pets in the house that your child usually cuddles, make sure that it does not have the infection as well. If it does, you must take your pet to the vet and get it treated lest your child get re-infected. Wash your child’s clothes separately and check if your partner or any other member of the family is suffering from the same condition. Also use a separate towel and comb for your child. The child can be allowed to go to school but with strict instructions to not share clothing, hats or hair brushes.
Home Remedies for Ringworm
- At home, you can make a pulp out of raw papaya and rub it onto the patches. A paste can be made dried papaya seeds and applied onto the infected areas as well.
- Make a paste out of ground mustard seeds and apply onto the ringworm patches. Leave on for about ten minutes and wash off with hot water.
- The application of raw turmeric juice to the area is known to cure ringworm infection to a large extent and the child can also be given a teaspoon of the juice mixed with a little honey.
- Grind dry butea seeds and mix with a teaspoon of lime juice till it is a thick paste. Apply onto all patchy areas and wash off in a half an hour.
- Apply a little coconut oil onto the affected areas once or twice a day. The antifungal antibacterial properties of the oil can aid in curing the infection.
- Avoid giving the child tinned or bottled food, sugar and white flour products. Lightly cooked vegetables, fresh fruits, seeds, nuts and whole grain cereals need to be a regular part of her or his diet.