Ringworm

Ringworm is a common skin disease caused by a certain type of fungus that grows on the skin.

Symptoms
There is an appearance of ringworm patches on the body that are usually round or oval. They have an elevated pink and scaly rings that is cleared in the middle. When infected were scratched, the itchiness spreads through the nails to the other part of the body.

Infection may come in chronic form if not treated properly.

Causes
Infection usually occurs on the scalp, nails, body and the feet. It is more commonly found on children for they lack the presence of protective fatty acids in their scalp. It can spread deeper in the skin to the hair roots that results to dull hair and hair breakage near the roots. It can also leave a bald spot on the scalp.

This disease is highly contagious and is easily transmitted through direct and indirect contact.

Home Remedies
Papaya: Rub papaya slices on infected patches or apply paste made from dried papaya seeds.

Mustard: Make a paste from mustard seeds. Apply on patches and rinse well with hot water.

Butea seeds: Ground into butea seeds into a fine powder then mix little amount of limejuice to make a paste. Apply on the infected area.

Cassia leaves: Apply cassia juice and paste to affected area to alleviate swelling and relieve irritation and pains.

Holy basil: Make a juice extract from holy basil leaves and apply it on the patches.

Turmeric: Apply turmeric juice on the patches or take 1 teaspoon of turmeric juice mixed with 1 teaspoon honey.

Vegetable juices: Mix 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice to make ½ liter of these juices. Drink accordingly.

Diets
Start with a fruit diet for 5 days to eliminate toxic wastes from the body. Each day, eat 3 meals of fresh succulent fruits such as apples, oranges, papayas, pineapples and pomegranates every 5 hours. Eat fruits, raw or steamed vegetables with whole-wheat Indian flatbreads after the diet. Consume curd and milk for a few days afterwards.

Eat plenty of wholegrain cereals, seeds, nuts, fresh fruits raw or lightly cooked vegetables.
Avoid coffee, tea, white sugar and white flour products, condiments, and all canned or bottled foods.

Further Suggestions
Administer a warm water enema everyday during the fruit diet.

Drink plenty of water and take bath twice daily. Before bathing, vigorously rub the skin with the palms of the hands aside from the parts affected with ringworm.

Stay in places with fresh air as much as possible.

Applying coconut oil on the affected part will make the skin softer.

Take a sunbath early in the morning, preferably at the crack of dawn.

Apply a light mudpack on the affected area for 30 minutes. Do it twice daily.