Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection that can affect the scalp, the body (particularly the groin), the feet, and the nails. It's name is a bit of a confusion as it has nothing to do with worms. The name comes from the red ring that can appear on an infected person's skin. Ringworm is also called Tinea.

Causes of Ringworm

Ringworm can be passed from one person to the other by direct skin-to-skin contact or by contact with contaminated articles such as unwashed clothing, and shower or pool surfaces. Pets like dogs and cats that carry fungus can cause ringworm. The other causes of ringworm are prolonged wetness of the skin and the minor injuries of the skin and nails.

Is Ringworm Contagious?

Most humans have strong enough immune systems to fight it off. Even with young kittens, they seem to outgrow it before it becomes a problem as long as they do not have a compromised immune system. Cats do, however, lose their hair in patches, and if their immune system isn’t strong enough, the ringworm fungus spreads and becomes much more difficulty to remedy.

Raw papaya is one of the most effectivehome remedy for ringworm. The slices of this fruit should be rubbed on the ringworm patches. A paste can also be prepared from dried papaya and can be applied on the affected areas.

Turmeric is very effective in the treatment of ringworm. The juice of raw turmeric should be applied externally to the parts of the skin affected by ringworm. Simultaneously, one teaspoon of turmeric juice mixed with an equal quantity of honey should be taken orally

Take a few mustard seeds and powder them. Thereafter, make a paste using water. Apply the paste on the ringworm-affected area and see its wonderful effects.

Clip hair around the ringworm patch. Once a day dip a cotton swab into tincture of goldenseal and paint the entire affected area. Limit the treated area to a dime-size spot in cats and small animals and up to a quarter-size spot in larger dogs. If there is more than one spot, alternate daily treatments from one spot to the other.

Garlic– Cut a clove of garlic in half and rub over each spot a couple times a day for about a week. With that said, an antifungal cream is most likely to work if you have opted for home treatment rather than a vet visit. You might also use apple cider vinegar and a rub of garlic before applying the antifungal cream. Remember that your cat will, of course try to lick the cream off. You will want to use a halo to keep her from being able to get at the spots.

Asafetida: Sometimes worms can be seen crawling in the rectum of a child. Soak a little bit of cotton in the solution of asafetida and place it on the anus. It will destroy the worms. Eating a minute quantity of asafetida will prevent the occurrence of worms in the stomach of a child. This isbeneficial for the treatment forringworm.