Ringworm Treatment - Fascinating (and Effective?) Home Remedies

Ringworm treatment home remedies, will you use these? If you are one of the estimated twenty percent of our population who is infected with ringworm, chances are you have, at some point, considered using home remedies to treat ringworm.

In my search to find the most effective ringworm treatment that's available out there, I recently posted a question in Yahoo Answers about home remedies "that actually work," to find out from real people, like you and me, what cure they would actually recommend. The question drew quite a few answers and these only prompted me to dig deeper into this topic.

After some more research in the internet and asking friends for their ringworm treatment "family secret recipe," I got a better insight into what folks would consider as fast and effective remedies. Prepare to be fascinated and surprised. All of the ingredients mentioned are ordinary household items some of us would never remotely equate with anti fungal medication.

Oh, yes, before I show you the list, a quick reminder. Ringworm, despite it's name, is not caused by worms. It is an infection caused by mold-like fungi known as dermatophytes. It is contagious and can be spread through direct skin contact with an infected person, an infected pet, or an infected object or surface. So, if you have an itsy-bitsy spot of ringworm, refrain from scratching it. The fungi will cling to your hands and you're liable to spread the infection to other parts of your body or worse, to other family members. And about contaminated objects - never share personal items with anyone. Clothes, caps, shoes, brushes, anything can be a carrier of infection. A friend of mine who has a three year old cute little daughter named Tracy, once brought home a bunch of second-hand toys from some garage sale. She thought she made a juicy bargain - the toys were still intact and the battery-operated talking doll actually still talked. To her chagrin, little Tracy had a rash outbreak the very next day, which her pediatrician later diagnosed to be ringworm. Lesson is you can't see fungi (well except under black light or Wood's lamp - they glow), so be careful in handling unfamiliar objects.

But enough of this. On to the list. If you want to read more thoroughly about ringworm and ringworm treatment, just got to my site. Please click the link at the bottom of this page.

First home-spun ringworm treatment - use of ordinary kitchen vinegar and a penny. Soak the penny in the vinegar and rub on the affected area. Some even recommend taping the penny to the ringworm spot. Others use vinegar without the penny. The reasoning of those who use the penny-vinegar combo is that the vinegar reacting with the copper actually serves as an effective fungi-killer.

The next home remedy, and this was suggested by a girl named "loveme..." in Yahoo Answers, was to use diluted bleach. Using q tips, you apply the bleach solution to the affected area until it dries out. Some suggested the ratio of one part bleach to six part water as the ideal concoction err...solution. Other people rashly recommend pure bleach for the treatment but a lot of people correctly pointed out that unadulterated bleach from the bottle is a very powerful agent and may contain lye (sodium hydroxide) that can cause severe chemical burns and scarring. Just swim and soak in a chlorinated swimming pool, if you want to get the benefit of bleach in treating skin infections.

Another fascinating folk remedy is the "paper method." People who use this, burn a crumpled sheet of notebook paper in a porcelain plate, and use the ashes or residue as salve for ringworm treatment. Imagine that.

Still another bizarre home cure is the use of colorless nail polish. Directions: apply a thin layer of nail polish on the affected area. Allow to dry and peel off with tweezers or wash with soap. Those who practice this method believe it "suffocates" the fungi and attest that their infection dried up the next day. Others suggest colored nail polish work just as well as the colorless type.

A guy from Canada vouched for sea salt as the ultimate ringworm treatment. Evidently, this gent worked in an airport and caught the infection from the counter surface he usually leans on at work. The ringworm spread throughout his body, including his face, and the poor bloke suffered for one whole year with it. After repeated (and costly) visits to his doctor, the recommended antifungal creams finally managed to clear out the ringworm in his body but not the lesions in his face. That's when he discovered the remedy of using sea salt. He rubbed a handful of watery salt into the affected areas in his moistened face for thirty minutes and repeated the process several times. The guy swears his ringworm dried up the very next morning. Sea salt or sea water, that's the ticket, he said.

Other items mentioned as effective medication are tobacco and Vicks Vapor Rub (suggested by "Rosie" in Yahoo Answers). Of course, a lot of medicinal herbs and plants were cited as effective cure too, but I will discuss these in another essay. Black walnut, grape fruit seed extract, fig leaf juice, and tea tree oil are a few of these natural remedies mentioned.

Would I recommend any of these home-grown ringworm remedies? Not today. It's the human body we're talking about here, after all. Caution should be the rule of thumb. There's no denying that many of these simple home cures actually work - for some people. But each of us has our own peculiar set of physiological traits and allergies, quite different from the next John or Jane Doe. Our bodies, or to be more specific, our skins react differently to different substances. What I'm saying is that the home-spun ringworm treatment that worked for your neighbor might not actually work for you.

If there's anything that I'd use myself, apart from the usual over-the-counter anti fungal medications, it's the natural ringworm treatment method. Using plant extracts. Green all the way. One hundred percent natural, one hundred percent organic. Tea tree oil, in particular. Numerous scientific studies have already established the efficacy of tea tree oil in treating ringworm. Powerful antiseptic, peerless anti fungal agent. And because it's natural - lesser chance of adverse allergic reactions for you. For a discussion about a company that produces natural ringworm treatment products in a modern world-class facility, please visit my site, link shown below.

Or you can always take a one-week vacation and hit the nearest ocean resort (sea salt or sea water, remember?) and have a week of fun, relaxation, and ringworm treatment.

How to Treat Ringworm - Cure Ringworm Fast

Ringworm is something that most people have had to deal with at one time or another. Knowing how to treat ringworm is another story.

Ringworm is not a worm at all, but rather a fungal infection that can appear anywhere on the skin, especially in warm, moist areas. It will appear as a reddened ring on the skin, but can also be on hair shafts in people and animals. Knowing the proper way to treat ringworm is yet another issue.

In the early 1900s ringworm first appeared and was treated with compounds such as mercury and iodine. Some hairy areas were considered to difficult to treat with these compounds and x-rays and antiparasitic compounds.

Unfortunately, misdiagnosing ringworm as pityriasis rosea, can cause other issues. That particular ailment is treated with topical steroids and can cause the ringworm to mutate into tinea incognito which does not give the raised border you see with ringworm.

How to Treat Ringworm on the Feet

Ringworm on the feet is commonly called athletes foot. This can come from locker rooms, public showers or wet areas at your home if someone else in the home has it. Protection can be effective with shower shoes or water shoes. It appears that wrestlers are especially susceptible to ringworm.

There are numerous over-the-counter anti-fungals that can treat ringworm, but also have their side effects.

Other types of ringworm can appear in the groin area, (jock itch) or on nails. It is especially prevalent during the summer months. Dogs and cats can have it and transmit it to humans during normal interactions with your pet. This is especially true if your pet has any bald spots. Pets will need both topical and systemic treatment. Bathing twice a week will also help get rid of the spores which can last up to two years on the hair shaft.

Diagnosing Ringworm

Diagnosing ringworm can be done by several different methods. Most will not show up under normal diagnostic techniques and the search can continue. Black lights, microscopic exams and cultures can be done. All of these will be able to distinguish some types of ringworm, but none will diagnose all of them. Knowing the proper way to treat ringworm can be relatively expensive. There is not need for very expensive salves and ointments.

Final Word on Ringworm Treatment

Knowing how to treat ringworm is the key to success. Many people will reach for antifungal ointments such as miconazole, ketoconazole or other creams applied twice daily. This treatment can take up to two weeks to show improvement and then it should be continued for an additional week. Most of us do not want to have to treat what appears to be an insignificant spot on their skin for such a prolonged period.

Ringworm treatment needs to be continued until the spores are gone. This time frame will vary depending on the area of your body or your pets body that it appears. Some of the alternative, natural solutions on how to treat ringworm, will work just as well as costly creams that you can buy. Learning how to treat ringworm is the key. The method you use is your choice.

How To Find The Best Cure For Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal skin infection that is very contagious and that can affect both humans and animals. In many cases people got infected by touching an infected animal. Cats are known to be common carriers of ringworm.

The species of fungi that cause ringworm can grow on the skin and they feed on the dead skin and hair cells they find there. Like most species of fungi they love dark and humid environments.
The area of the skin where the ringworm fungus grows is usually round and more irritated towards its edges. In its center the skin looks almost normal. Because the infection has the form of a circle and it's also swollen it looks like a round worm, and this is why it is called ringworm, but in fact it has nothing to do with a worm as some people believe. The infected areas are very itchy and they can get worse if nothing is done to cure the ringworm.

The cure for ringworm can be creams, pills, or some say that it can be cured with natural home remedies.

The most commonly used medication is antifungal creams. This is what doctors prescribe in most cases because they give good results.
The antifungal ointments must be applied directly on the infected patches of skin until all the infection is gone and afterwards too because it can reappear. The whole treatment with antifungal cream lasts about 2 or 3 weeks.
The most popular ointments used as a cure for ringworm are Teribinafine, Miconazole and Ketoconazole.

If at the moment when the doctor has discovered ringworm it has spread to many areas of the skin and it has advanced too much then stronger medication is required. What is used in this case are antifungal pills. They are pills that must be taken once a day usually, for 7 or days. They are very strong and effective in curing the ringworm from all the areas. Once again one of the most popular antifungal pills is Terbinafine.

There are many home remedies for ringworm that people claim to be effective, but most of them are not scientifically tested.
One of these methods is to apply salted sea water on the spots with the ringworm fungus on them. This water will absorb all the moisture from that area and ringworm cannot live in dry areas. In order for it to work is should be kept more than 30 minutes.

Another home remedy that many people claim to be effective against ringworm is tea tree oil. If you apply it on the skin it is said to kill the fungi there.

Anyone can prevent getting infected with ringworm by always washing, cleaning and drying their skin and by not using items that were used by others that may be infected. If you follow these simple rules you can stay away from ringworm infections, but if somehow you just discovered that you have it, ask your doctor what the best cure for your ringworm is as soon as you can before it spreads too much.

Ringworm: Fungus or Real Worm Under My Skin

Most people don't get a mirror to look in the mirror to see the area back of their neck. My adult daughter teaches grade school and we were at a basketball game. Her long hair was in a ponytail and draped in front of her. The reddish patch of skin about the size of a golf ball was obviously not there as she grew up so I asked if it itched. "What? What are you talking about?" "No its not ringworm! That's gross!"

Most people have never heard of a yeast overgrowth in the body, or tinea, or dermatophytes. But they have heard of jock itch, athletes foot and women's yeast infection. These are all caused by fungus overgrowth. One of these is called ringworm.

When changes occur in the body such as stress, menstrual cycle, hormonal change, or sometimes the taking of antibiotics can cause the ph balance in the body to change so that fungus can grow in abundance. The fungus is present in our body at all times but is not allowed to grow out of control because our immune system will kill off most of the fungus. Fungus spores are present in every area of the globe.

Ringworm may itch, may spread to large areas, may infect pets too, may be eliminated by topical solutions or in extreme cases require antibiotics.

The characteristics of skin infected in circular patterns evokes the name "ring", the growing of the infection somehow was correlated to "worm". The center of the ring of skin that is infected may clear up leaving the outer circle to define ringworm. In some cases the infection is so large that no ring is noticeable. The fungus can cause patches of hair to fall out in the scalp, beard or pet. The hair will grow back.

Ringworm is prevalent in children as they spend a lot of time outdoors and in contact with the ground.

Inspect your pets for ringworm fungus infections, as dogs, cats and horses are hosts of ringworm fungus.
Prevent any member of the family from using communal hairbrushes and combs.

The ringworm fungus is described as expanding raised rings of pinkish inflamed skin, sometimes scaly on any location on your body, that can be a lesion, blistered or cracked skin. In most cases ringworm is described as a circular area of discolored skin that itches. Ringworm and all fungus overgrowth have had natural remedies attested to, on the World Wide Web, of tea tree oil, colloidal silver and oregano oil. These natural remedies will not further upset the ph balance of the body and will strengthen the immune support system. Going natural is no longer a Euell Gibbons "thing"; we now know that helping the body heal with natural support leaves fewer side effects and quicker healing time!

What Are The Ringworm Symptoms I Need To Know About, And What Can I Do To Treat Them?

Ringworm is a common infection among adults and children, but can cause great stress at times. Recognising these ringworm symptoms on your body can enable you to take the appropriate action for treatment. If you develop ringworm, you will want to find out what has caused it, whether it is serious and how you should treat it. Although the symptoms of ringworm don't usually cause you to feel feverish or unwell, it can prove extremely difficult to eradicate. The good news is there are now a great many treatments available to help control and cure the symptoms. This article discusses the different symptoms of ringworm and the appropriate action to take.

Ringworm can prove very distressing, for both adults and children, ignoring the symptoms in the early stages can only cause problems later on.

Scalp ringworm is more common in children than adults. The infected area is itchy with crusted scales, and the hair usually breaks off at the root. In more sever cases the area may become inflamed with flaky skin. Under ultraviolet light the affected scalp fluoresces blue-green, which is a useful confirmatory test. In mild cases, you should bathe the infected area daily, using a non-soap product such as emulsifying cream. This will loosen the scales and moisturize the infected skin. Pat the skin dry after bathing, and apply a topical antifungal lotion. This should be repeated four to seven times a day, and treatment should be continued for at least four weeks after the infected area has cleared. If the symptoms haven't improved within two weeks, you should see a doctor, where he may prescribe an oral antifungal medication in tablet form.

Body ringworm is very noticeable, and usually appears on the trunk. It can be easily recognized by circular patches on the skin, more that one patch may appear. These ring like patches usually become very itchy, with a red scaly edge. As the ringworm spreads, the centre of the patch usually clears to look like normal skin. There are many topical skin medications available, usually combined with antiseptic and a mild steroid to reduce the itching. If you don't notice any improvement after one week or the ringworm spreads to other parts of the body, you may need medication in tablet form from your doctor.

With nail infections, the nails thicken and become brittle, the ends usually break in a ragged margin and the nail may detach itself slightly from the nail bed. The toenails are more often affected than the fingers. The diagnosis is confirmed by examining nail clippings. Nails are the most difficult of all symptoms to treat, because they are slow growing. If only a few nails are affected, treatment is with an anti-fungal lacquer containing, for example, tioconazole or amorolfine. For resistant cases an oral anti-fungal such as terbinafine, should be prescribed by your doctor.. Recurrence is common and the nails may remain thickened, yellow and unsightly.

The most common of all ringworm infections is athlete's foot. The symptoms to look out for are cracking and itching between the toes, especially the fourth and fifth toes. Peeling or scaling of the skin. A scaly, red rash can occur, which may spread to the soles of the feet, and in turn could result in cracking and bleeding. Sometimes bacterial infection can set in, resulting in pus-filled sores or ulcers. Many anti-fungal creams with a mild antiseptic and a mild steroid are effective for treating the symptoms of the infection in its early stages. In really resistant cases, an oral anti-fungal such as fluconazole may need to be obtained from your doctor.

Symptoms of groin ringworm or better known as jock itch, produces a reddened, itchy area spreading from the genitals outwards over the inside of the thigh. It is best to keep the area well ventilated, because the infection thrives best in warm and moist conditions. An anti-fungal containing a mild antiseptic should clear the infection, it's important to continue treatment for at least a week after the ringworm has gone to ensure complete eradication of the fungus. If no improvement is noticed after two weeks, or the ringworm persists you should see your doctor.

The above article is about the common ringworm symptoms to look out for and a guide on the treatments available. Some of these treatments may produce a permanent cure; others may simply improve your symptoms or keep the ringworm under control. If you are unsure of your symptoms or don't understand how a treatment works, or are worried about any possible side effects, always talk to your doctor.

5 Easy Ways to Cure Scalp Fungal Infections

There are several ways to cure scalp fungal infections. The most popular method is by using topical applications or antifungal shampoos. Most dermatologists recommend the use of these chemicals which are really quite effective. However, these products can cost a lot and in this day and age, not many people are willing or able to spend a lot of extra bucks on skin care.

Fortunately, there are other less expensive ways to cure scalp fungal infections. You don't even need to use special shampoos or creams if you don't want to. Just follow these five simple guidelines and your scalp fungal infections will be completely cured in no time at all.

1. Wash your hair everyday.

Taking a bath is highly underrated. This very basic act is actually the most important part of scalp hygiene. When you wash your hair, rinse off the shampoo thoroughly. Leftover suds can pave the way for fungal growth in your scalp.

Make sure, too, that you dry your hair completely afterwards. Fungi thrive in moist and warm places. If you keep your head dry and clean, you can avoid turning it into an attractive breeding ground for these infection-causing bacteria.

2. Avoid scratching.

For people with scalp fungal infections, scratching is a definite no-no. Although the itch may be unbearable at times, try to restrain yourself. Scratching might give you a momentary relief from the itchiness but it will just worsen the infection in the long run.

3. Wear a hat outdoors.

This will not only shield your hair and scalp from the sun but also protect them from germs and bacteria that could worsen the scalp infection that you have.

Furthermore, a hat will cover the unattractive bald spots in your head that result from ringworm growth. It is also helpful in keeping your hands away from your head, thus preventing scratching.

4. Use your own comb.

Sharing combs, brushes or even hats with other people is a sure way of spreading scalp fungal infections. Make it a practice to use your own combs and other hair implements. This way, you can keep from contaminating others and you can avoid contracting their infections as well.

5. Take organic medication.

If you want to further speed up your recovery from scalp fungal infections, you can apply some natural substances to your scalp. The most popularly used are tea tree oil, coconut oil, and grapeseed extract.

These substances are very effective in curing scalp fungal infections but do not cost as much as their chemical counterparts. Other than that, these are completely natural which means you will not be experiencing any kind of unwanted side effects from using these medications.

Scalp Infections - Symptoms, Causes & Natural Options For Fast Relief & Treatment

There are many definitions and symptoms commonly described as "scalp infections". There are in fact quite a few quite different reasons why your scalp may be sore, itchy, inflamed burning red or infected. If you are like many people with chronic scalp issues - it may be driving you completely up the wall and not knowing what it is or how to treat the problem effectively after many unsuccessful attempts to eliminate it can make it seem far worse - like you are never going to get to the bottom of the problem. Well that need no longer be so! It can be simple to diagnose and treat it now and for good.

So if you are dealing with any of these symptoms lets first identify the problem and then some of the underlying causes.

Firstly, if you want to get to the root of your problems, so to speak, you need to be able to identify what your problem actually is. Of course, many scalp infections & conditions look alike, so here is a brief description of some of the most common scalp conditions:

Red Burning Itchy Scalp
Dandruff
Ringworm
Dry Scalp
Scalp Dermatitis
Eczema of the Scalp
Scalp Psoriasis
Folliculitis
Stress Related Itching

Red burning itchy scalp can be characterized as any tingling,burning, prickly, and sensitive to the touch or a fiery hot sensation. Often associated with an allergy, sunburn, chemical burn (sensitization of the scalp),or fungal infection.

Dandruff as most of us know is the process of continual shedding of skin cells on our scalps. Often the cause of dandruff is simply the result of toxins, pollutants and products that have built up on the scalp particularly products like silicone- a cheap commonly used artificial shine enhancer in conditioners sold in supermarkets.

When the natural balance of our scalps is disturbed, this creates the perfect environment for the yeast fungus Melassezia Globbosa to move in and thrive. This is when the natural process of shedding our cells gets a little out of hand resulting in an unsightly condition known as "Seborrhoeic Dermatitis" (fancy name for dandruff) and we see the highly visible tell-tale signs of flaking and crusting.

The accompanying itch and urge to scratch are often made worse by the multiplication of the fungal yeast pityrosporum-ovale (having one big party on your scalp). Another follow on effect of this is that the relentless scratching by the sufferer can cause small lesions which weep and ooze or become infected resulting in scalp infections.

Lumps bumps and sores are also common when the scalp is highly irritated or sensitivity has been aggravated. Candida can be an underlying cause of yeast infections of the scalp.

Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitols) is a superficial fungal infection of the scalp. Scalp ringworm is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. Ringworm infection occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies anywhere on your skin, scalp, or nails. It is far more common in children and symptoms include red, itchy patches on the scalp, leaving bald areas. The skin might itch and be red and peel or be scaly, have swollen blisters or a rash (that can spread) and looks like black dots. The rash is highly contagious. It is normally treated with over the counter products containing miconazole, clotrimazole, or similar. Sometimes prescription anti fungal skin medications, such as ketoconazole are needed to clear it up. There are also products direct from nature's factories that can aid the healing process and act as natural antibiotics, although it must be said that ringworm is an aggressive fungus which needs to be monitored closely and treated accordingly.

Dry scalp can feel "tight", a sensation that is sometimes accompanied by flakiness. It is often the result of natural oils being stripped from our scalps by the frequent use of shampoos, hair dyes and or other hair products.

Dermatitis of the scalp (Seborrheic dermatitis) is an inflammatory disorder affecting areas of the head and body where sebaceous glands are most prominent. It can vary from mild dandruff to dense flakey and greasy scale. Once again it is often an accumulation of toxins and products built up on our scalps that our body is trying to rid itself of.

Eczema of the scalp similar in appearance to Seborrheic dermatitis but instead has the name Atopic dermatitis.

Scalp Psoriasis commonly occurs on the back of the head however multiple areas of the scalp or the whole scalp may be affected. Scalp psoriasis is characterized by thick silvery white scales on patches of very red skin and can extend slightly beyond the hairline. Scalp psoriasis, despite being partially hidden by the hair is often a source of social embarrassment due to flaking of the scale and severe 'dandruff'. Scalp psoriasis may be extremely itchy or on occasion have no itch symptoms. It can also cause temporary baldness on the affected areas. It is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin disease and is associated with increased risk of melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma.

Folliculitis of the scalp is a superficial bacterial infection of the hair follicles. It is characterized by pustules around the hair follicles and symptoms include painful brushing of hair and tenderness when rubbing your scalp around the hair follicle sites. Treating with antibiotics for the particular bacteria is the usual course of action but can eventually cause resistance to the antibiotic used. Options include applying Evoclin Foam which is topical. Folliculitis is commonly caused by staph bacteria which also reside inside the nose and sinus cavity. Natural oils such as tea tree and lavender have good antibacterial properties and can also be used to treat this condition.

If you have a bump or lump under the skin (commonly a lump behind the ears with no broken skin or rash developing, then this could be a cyst. Cysts are liquid filled pustules which can be painful when they become infected. If you have such symptoms I recommend seeing a doctor to be safe. Doctors can also treat cysts with antibiotics if they have become infected or incise them as a further but uncommon procedure if the antibiotics are not sufficient.

Stress Related Itching Stress can contribute to or worsen scalp itching as it plays havoc with our immune system and hormones which have an effect on production of sebum from your sebaceous glands. Although it can contribute to the problem it is still somewhat of a myth. It may appear that you have a"stress rash", but it is more likely that the problem was already there in a less noticeable way, then aggravated by increased stress levels making it harder for your body to deal with the problem on its own and eliminate the problem. Many of the treatments below include stress relieving properties - like Lavender oil for example which calms the mind and soothes the body.

Solutions - what YOU can do about it

Going to your doctor may be the best way to get an accurate answer to diagnosing your problem, but I understand that many of you may have already done this, been prescribed some form of medication of cream (even "heavy duty" cortisone based ones where the cortisone potency may need to be increased after time).

Often the problem either doesn't go away from the start - or seems to subside but comes back with full a vengeance later leaving you wondering with more unanswered questions and a VERY unhappy scalp! Well the good news is if you don't like using these expensive and often impotent products- or even want to help them along you can use natural remedies and essential oils known to be super effective anti-bacterial busters such as tea tree oil for instance to inhibit or stop the growth of the infection and assist healing/re balancing of the scalp.

Something that is also important to understand in curing scalp conditions and scalp infections - a factor that is missed by so many doctors, and something not disclosed by companies who sell hair products and treatments is the number of people who are allergic or sensitive to commonly used ingredients in shampoos, dandruff treatments and other hair products. In fact MOST hair products (as many as 90%) contain at least one ingredient that is used in engine degreasers, another is a common ingredient in antifreeze.

These ingredients are cheap to produce foaming agents that make shampoo foam up, and do a fantastic job of stripping dirt and oily build up from hair. Problem is that they sometimes do SUCH a good job that they remove all of the natural oils and sebum from the scalp thus removing the scalps natural against bacteria etc. Another little known fact is that the most common ingredient (Sodium laureth sulphate) is used to induce skin irritation in test patients by drug companies to test the effectiveness of their itch relief skin creams. When first produced and for year's afterwards manufacturers did not know that skin was not a barrier but an absorber of ingredients & that they caused skin irritation in so many people.

So sometimes the beginning of a scalp condition can have originated from something as simple as an imbalance to the skins (scalps) sebum or an allergy to an ingredient that can easily be rectified.

Like your immune system, if your skin has an opportunity to rebalance itself and not be subjected to "incoming foreign matter" and the daily stripping of its natural oils that further aggravates the problem you can allow your body to re balance and heal itself. Obviously buying products that do not strip your hair and scalp is an obvious step in the right direction.

Fortunately there are a lot of manufacturers such as Aveda and Akin (Purist Company) who know what consumers are suffering from these issues so have addressed this problem. They have applied this knowledge to produce some amazing products with all of the benefits of natural ingredients, with none of the side effects at a price we can afford (Akin especially). It need not be difficult, nor expensive to make these choices and a move to healthy hair and scalp long term.

So yes you can eliminate harsh shampoos containing sodium sulphates and go for natural Sulphate and paraben free shampoos that contain ingredients such as macadamia, wheat germ or jojoba oils. These oils mimic our natural sebum to some extent to help to re moisturize and nourish our scalp.

Then there are lavender, rosemary and tea tree oils which contain antibacterial, healing properties. Neem oil great for its antiquing and stops itching. You can apply these topically to your skin for fast relief, to assist healing as well as looking out for shampoos with these natural ingredients in them.

Lavender calms the skin (as does chamomile tea cooled and used as hair rinse).
As well as buying quality shampoos containing these ingredients, you can
create your own combinations of remedy or remedies to soothe your scalp.
You can also help it along by using natural remedies to treat your scalp such as this scalp treatment containing natural oils to assist healing, detoxify and stimulate hair growth: (Add to
water (4 parts water 1part oil) and spray onto scalp and you can add to your shampoo and conditioners also).

Oils To Relieve Itching: Lavender, German Chamomile and Eucalyptus Oils
(Mixed together and dabbed locally on effected areas has a soothing effect).

Neem oil is also a very good dandruff preventative which can be added to any of the formulas detailed below and is excellent for psoriasis and eczema & scalp infections.

Scalp massage with lavender oil (not scented - the real oil) is another
wonderful way to relieve the tension from a sore scalp as well as treat the
issue. It also helps to re grow hair and repair the damage done to your
follicles by chemicals in shampoos causing thinning hair. (Lavender is known to stimulate hair growth too).

There are many more powerful scalp remedies you can use to treat your scalp as well as many shampoos that are excellent value, contain no nasties to aggravate your scalp and hair follicles. It can be really simple to treat scalp problems by treating yourself to your own pampering session using natural oils to help heal your scalp infection. And then be kind to your hair and scalp by using only products that nourish your hair and scalp such as Aveda or Akin brand shampoos. You can assist the healing process and help restore balance back to your scalp and you hair will appreciate and reward you for it too by becoming less brittle, stronger and shinier.
As with all natural remedies please patch test first. It is not intended for this information to replace a doctors medical advice, so please see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The responsibility of obtaining doctors diagnosis and using remedies is yours.

Understanding the Subtypes of Ringworm of the Scalp

Ringworm is an infectious disease caused by a wide range of parasitic fungal elements which localize and proliferate at different levels of the body: scalp, nails, hands, feet, crotch and armpits. When the fungal infections characteristic to ringworm are localized in the region of the scalp, the disease is referred to as ringworm of the scalp. Ringworm of the scalp is a very common type of ringworm among children, predominantly affecting the very young. However, in rare cases ringworm of the scalp can also be acquired by people belonging to other categories of age.

Ringworm of the scalp comprises three subtypes, each of them having distinctive features and requiring specific medical intervention. The most common form of ringworm of the scalp is responsible for causing more than 95 percent of the overall reported annual cases of ringworm. This type of ringworm of the scalp generally occurs in very young children, disappearing before the age of puberty even in the absence of the specific medical treatment. Being very contagious, this form of ringworm of the scalp is easily transmissible from one individual to another. Due to this fact, the affected persons should avoid entering in contact with other people until the disease is appropriately cured. Afflicted children should be instructed by their parents to restrict from physical contact with their playmates, teachers and other people they normally interact with. Under special circumstances, the young patients may even require to remain indoors until the disease ameliorates and loses its infectious character.

This common type of ringworm of the scalp is highly resistant to regular treatments, rarely being successfully cured with local antifungal medications. At first, the disease is manifested through the occurrence of multiple patches with diameters of approximately 1 cm. As the infectious progresses, the patches begin to grow in size, eventually involving the entire surface of the scalp. Also, the patches characteristic to this type of ringworm have a grayish aspect, mostly due to scaling of the superficial layers of the scalp. The affected patients rarely present symptoms such as irritation, itching and inflammation of the scalp, the disease triggering no other noticeable physical manifestations. However, this form of ringworm may sometimes lead to atrophy of the hair, causing visible damage to the hair follicles found on the affected regions of the scalp. Thus, temporary baldness can also be considered a symptom characteristic to this very common form of ringworm of the scalp.

The second type of ringworm of the scalp is referred to as kerion. This form of fungal infection is very different from the previously described type of ringworm, producing soft, moist excrescences at the superficial level of the scalp. Despite the fact that kerion is commonly diagnosed in children, the disease can also occur in adults. This type of ringworm of the scalp is rare, being responsible for causing less than 3 percent of all ringworm of the scalp cases. Although kerion is not considered to be highly contagious, the afflicted persons should avoid entering in contact with other people until the disease becomes non-infectious. Kerion is manifested through the following symptoms: the occurrence of various swellings (soft prominences that are filled with fluid), tenderness and inflammation of the scalp, inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Similar to the previously described type of ringworm, kerion also involves deterioration of the hair. In the affected regions of the scalp, the hairs become very fragile and may eventually detach from their follicles. Kerion often involves temporary or permanent baldness associated with scarring. However, this type of ringworm of the scalp is easier to treat, most patients responding well to local treatments with antifungal creams, ointments and lotions. Even in the absence of treatment, kerion generally clears up in 3-4 weeks, depending on the seriousness of the infection.

The third and last type is also a very rare form of ringworm of the scalp. Although it is not considered to be very serious, the disease is responsible for causing few noticeable symptoms, thus being more difficult to detect during medical examinations. This form of ringworm of the scalp causes the occurrence of tiny black spots which are sometimes spread over the entire surface of the scalp. The infection causes no inflammation or redness, and it rarely involves deterioration of the hair or scarring. This type of ringworm of the scalp is considered to be contagious and thus temporary isolation is recommended to all affected patients. However, the disorder can be easily overcome with local treatments consisting of specific antifungal agents. With appropriate treatment, this form of ringworm can be completely cured in several weeks or less.

Treating a Scalp Rash - What Causes Itchy Scalp Problems

Whether you have a scalp rash or your scalp is very itchy , it can be frustrating and make you self-conscious. First of all, it's important to see what the features are of the itchy scalp problem. Does it itch but have no rash? Are the red spots near your ears predominately? Do you have itching on other parts of your body or is it just on your scalp? Are you experiencing hair loss? Is your whole body skin area dry and do you experience dandruff and skin flaking?

There are several conditions that can cause a scalp rash, dry scalp itching, scalp flaking or hair loss. Let's review a few:

1) Ringworm: Ringworm of the scalp or tinea captis is a fungal skin infection. It needs to be treated as it can spread and it can cause hair loss that does not grow back. It can be crusty and scaly in patches. The patches can be circular and have raised edges. If the problem is severe oral medication. However, often for typical cases a shampoo that contains selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione is prescribed., Depending on the extent of the ringworm, the physician may recommend an over the counter anti-fungal for the scalp.

2) Head Lice: Lice can spread easily around schools and many schools will send out a notification if a child in the class or school has been diagnosed with head lice. There are one percent creams available that contain permethrin. This is used to treat and control the problem. The insects don't have wings. The nits (or eggs) can often be seen in the ear area or neck below hair.

3) Eczema: This is also called seborrhoeic dermatitis. Some attribute this to yeast growth. If you notice additional patches on your elbows and needs you may have psoriasis. These can be a darker color. Dandruff is a form of seborrhoeic dermatitis. A scalp problem due to seborrhoeic dermatitis can afflict teens going through the hormonal changes just as the t-zone on the skin can get more oily and develop acne issues.

Determining the cause of the scalp rash is the best way to figure out treatment. Try to avoid scratching the head to prevent exacerbating the problem or causing any bacterial infections.

Over The Counter Treatments For Ringworm

What do you do when you suddenly notice yourself scratching and itching an area on your body that won't stop, and then you see a strange red ring beginning to form? It can be a startling experience for sure, but what you have is most likely a case of ringworm.

Ringworm shows up as a red rash about the size of a silver dollar. Basically, it's a harmless skin condition if treated with common over the counter treatments for ringworm.

You can catch the fungus that causes ringworm in a variety of ways. Having direct contact with someone who is already infected is one way, as well as loving on your pet who has ringworm. Yes, your pets can easily get ringworm and then pass it on to you as you pet them and love on them.

Ringworm is contagious and easily spread, especially among young children. You should avoid sharing combs, brushes, hats, and other personal hygiene items with someone who is infected with ringworm.

There are several good over the counter treatments for ringworm available. A few of these include:

Micatin

Lotrimin

Mycelex

Miconazole works quite well

Ketoconazole has also shown to be very effective

Head And Shoulders works very well in treating ringworm of the scalp

Selsun Blue is another good scalp ringworm treatment

To relieve the itching, another over the counter treatment for ringworm is a topical corticosteroid. One such product is the hydrocortisone cream.

All of these ringworm medications work extremely well in eliminating the fungus that causes ringworm. With treatment, ringworm should go away within 7 to 10 days and leave you completely healed.

So, if you notice yourself with a red rash that is itching, don't get to upset. Get yourself one of these over the counter treatments for ringworm and get rid of it fast.

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Cure For Itchy Scalp

So you're looking for a cure for itchy scalp? Well, the good news is that, in most cases, an itchy scalp can be cured and soothed quite easily with a simple home remedy.

What Caused My Itchy Scalp?

An itchy scalp can be an irritating and annoying affliction and, without treatment, can become increasingly worse. Although there are many possible reasons for an itchy scalp, a lot of the time these days it can be due to the harsh chemicals placed in many of the off-the-shelf shampoos and conditioners on the market. These chemicals can dry out the skin, stripping it of its natural oils and thereby causing an itchy, flaky scalp. One of the worst of these chemicals is Sodium Laureth Sulphate - commonly known as SLS which is an aggressive cleaning and foaming agent commonly used as an engine degreaser. SLS has been proven to strip oils from and prematurely age your skin, damage eye membranes, retard healing, inhibit hair follicle growth and more, yet it's added to 90% of shampoos! Silicone is another harmful chemical used as an artificial shine enhancer in many leading brand conditioners.

Reactions to perm chemicals,and hair dye allergies are also very common these days. If you've recently been to the hairdressers and are suffering from an itchy scalp, this could be the reason, although they should always patch test any products before applying them to your scalp.

Other possible reasons could be stress brought on by exhaustion or emotional tension, an allergic skin reaction (contact dermatitis), viral infections, such as chickenpox and shingles or a skin condition, such as acne.

A fungus like Ringworm (tinea capitis) could also be causing your itchy scalp. Ringworm is a superficial fungal infection of the scalp and is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. Ringworm of the skin starts as a red, scaly patch or bump, and tends to be very itchy and uncomfortable. Over time, it may begin to look like a ring or a series of rings with raised, bumpy, scaly borders (the center is often clear), but not every person who's infected develops the rings.

How Can I Cure My Itchy Scalp?

There are loads of natural cures. Here I'll show you some of the best..

A quick cure for itchy scalp can be made at home by using a combination or Rosemary and Chamomile:

Get 3 sprigs of rosemary, chop them up and add to 3 tea bags of chamomile tea Boil gently, let cool, and strain Rinse your hair with this liquid for a calming anti-inflammatory effect for an inflamed, itchy or sore scalp

Fenugreek seeds are excellent for getting rid of dandruff:

Take 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds and soak overnight in water In the morning grind the soft seeds into a fine paste Apply this paste all over scalp and leave for half an hour Rinse off thoroughly with soap nut solution A teaspoon of lime juice on the last rinse will work wonders

It is important to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to avoid the build up of dead cells which will only aggravate the itchy scalp problem.

I would recommend trying to replace your current shampoo with a natural one, like a Tea Tree Oil based shampoo. Tea Tree Oil is a fantastic anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory natural ingredient which will help to soothe your itchy scalp and prevent infections. Other great natural oils to look out for when choosing a shampoo or conditioner are Zinc Pyrithione and Jojoba. Zinc pyrithione is great at combating dandruff and as a cure for itchy scalp conditions.

First synthesized in the 1930's, it is the most widely used active ingredient from a natural source. Having good anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties it's used to treat dandruff, itchy scalp, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema and numerous other skin and scalp disorders. Jojoba is excellent as a scalp moisturizer and helps to re-balance sebum.

The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness. The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground, and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head. Short or shoulder-length hair can be brushed right from the roots to the ends in one stroke. In the case of long hair, two strokes would be best to avoid stretching the hair.

The scalp should also be massaged thoroughly daily, to improve circulation, remove excess dirt and dead skin cells, and encourage hair growth. For a proper massage, spread your fingers fanwise and slip them through the hair. With your thumb pressed behind your ears, press down on your scalp with your fingertips. Now rotate your fingers so that they move the scalp over the bony structure of the head. You will feel your skin move and the scalp tingle. Move up an inch at a time until you have covered the whole head. It takes only a few minutes to perform.

Reducing stress will help your body in its natural healing process, and also go some way to preventing your itchy scalp condition from returning. Prevention is better than a cure, as they say. Use some natural bath oils like Lavender or Valerian Oil to help you to relax and de-stress after a hard day.

(As with all oils, consult your doctor first if you are pregnant. It is also recommended you patch test all oils/formulas before application or addition to your shampoos).