Tea Tree Oil Ringworm
Tea Tree Oil Ringworm
Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic. It is also a germicide, antibacterial, fungicide. It is used by many people for a wide variety of things. There is no end to the uses of tea tree oil. It is used to treat things like athletes foot, cold and flu, oral thrush, cold sores and canker sores, tooth ache and gum infections, ringworm, candida, head lice or louse, cleanser additive, gum problems, mosquito bites, bug repellent, cockroaches, deter flees, mouth ulcers, herpes, cuts, abrasions, after shave, sunburn, anorectic or vaginal yeast infections, unwanted body odors, acne, toe nail infections, and believe it or not, the list goes on.
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a multi-purpose herb that goes back to the Aboriginal people of Australia. For thousands of years now they have used theses leaves as an antiseptic and antifungal by crushing the leaves and creating mudpacks. In 1770, the name tea tree oil was given to the herb by the British explorer Captain James Cook and his crew. The Australian natives kept it relatively secret for years but their government considered tea tree oil a World War II essential ingredient in their armed forces’ first aid kits. Increased use of pharmaceutical antibiotics decreased tea tree oil’s popularity everywhere except in Australia after the war. Tea tree oil started to regain favor in 1960 and today is also grown in California.
As mentioned above tea tree oil can be used to treat fungal infections. Tea tree oil is an excellent antifungal agent and can be used to treat Candida albicans, athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, thrush, and onychomycosis, which are nail infections. When using a treatment of tea tree oil ringworm will respond favorably by putting a few drops of tea tree oil in a handful of water as a rinse after thoroughly cleaning the area with soap and water, or tea tree oil can be added to a liquid soap or shampoo. There are also shampoos and soaps available that already contain tea tree oil that can be bought just about anywhere.
For ringworm and nail infections, bath and laundry water can be disinfected by adding a few drops of tea tree essential oil to the tub and washing machine. Applying a tea tree gel, cream, or essential oil are other ways to use tea tree oil on fungal infections such as ringworm. Tea tree oil’s natural solvent properties make it a great product for washing cotton diapers; as a deodorizer, or disinfectant; to remove mold; and to treat houseplants for molds, fungus, and parasitic infections.
Griseofulvin Tinea Capitis
Griseofulvin Tinea Capitis
Tinea capitis, or ringworm of the scalp, is the most common dermatophyte infection among children. This is a problem worldwide but approximately 3 to 8 percent of American children are affected, and up to one third of in-house contacts are asymptomatic carriers, meaning they show no outward signs of the infection. Tinea infections are usually spread by humans but may also be passed to humans from animals. Adolescent and adult infections are uncommon.
The three primary dermatophytes most commonly seen are Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum audouinii and Microsporum canis. Anti-fungal medications, taken by mouth, are used to treat the infection. There are several different options that are often used to treat this condition. Griseofulvin has long been the standard therapy for tinea capitis. It is currently the only antifungal agent labeled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this condition. Griseofulvin is an antibiotic derived from a species of Penicillium.
Griseofulvin acts systemically to inhibit the growth of Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton genera of fungi. With the use of an anti-fungal like griseofulvin Tinea Capitis can be treated effectively. Fungistatic amounts are deposited in the keratin, which is gradually exfoliated and replaced by non-infected tissue. Griseofulvin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract varies considerably from one individual to the next. This is mainly because of insolubility of the drug in the upper G.I. tract. The peak serum level found in fasting adults given 0.5 gm occurs at about four hours and ranges between 0.5 and 2.0 mcg/mL.
As previously mentioned some individuals do not absorb at the same rate as others and tend to attain lower blood levels at all times. This may explain why some patients respond better to this type of treatment than others. Better blood levels can probably be attained in most patients if Griseofulvin is taken after ingesting a meal with a high fat content.
Some of the symptoms of tinea capitis or scalp ringworm to watch for are bald patched areas, where hair that has broken off from the scalp, itching of the scalp, pus-filled lesions or sores on the scalp, round, scaly lesions on the scalp that may be inflamed, and small black dots on the scalp. Tinea capitis may be extremely persistent, and it may return after treatment. It has been found that in many cases it goes away on its own as a person reaches puberty. Good general hygiene is a key factor to prevent and treat tinea infections.
Antifungal Tinea Corporis Ringworm
Tinea Corporis Ringworm Treatment
With the use of an antifungal Tinea corporis ringworm can be healed although there are instances of re-infection. Treating the fungal infection may be a long drawn out procedure, as different types of ringworm infections need different treatments. Pets should also be treated if infection is suspected. Be sure to use the products exactly as directed and to keep the skin area dry and clean. Always follow the directions for the specific antifungal cream you use. Unless your condition is not improving within a few days of use, you should continue to use the antifungal product for the length of time recommended. If it is obvious that a condition is not improving, a variation of strength of the active ingredient may be needed. Another option is try a different antifungal ingredient. Many have different strengths and will have recommendations for length of use. Discontinuing the medication too early may allow the fungus to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection.
What is Tinea corporis ringworm
is a superficial dermatophyte infection characterized by either inflammatory or non-inflammatory lesions on the skin. Tinea corporis ringworm occurs in both men and women. Women of childbearing age are more likely to develop tinea corporis as a result of their greater frequency of contact with infected children. Dermatophyte infections can greatly affect quality of life, but rarely do they pose serious or life threatening problems.
Ringworm is the more common term used for Tinea corporis infection. Tinea corporis ringworm looks like a rash that forms one-half to one-inch, ring-shaped, pink or red patches with a clear center. The rash may itch slightly. Jock itch appears around the groin area but not normally on the penis and appears like a red, ring-like rash. Jock itch can be extremely itchy and form small, painful blisters. Nail ringworm is more common on the toenails than fingernails, and makes the nail appear thickened and dull. Scalp ringworm may cause round patches of hair loss, broken hair, and/or an itchy, scaly scalp. Scalp ringworm is extremely contagious among children. Athlete’s foot appears between the toes as a scaly, itchy rash. It can range from mild irritation to cracking and peeling, making the skin very sore and more open to bacterial infection.
Tinea corporis ringworm Prevention
Tinea corporis ringworm can be prevented by keeping the skin clean and dry, changing socks and underwear each day, not sharing clothing or towels and wearing some type of shower shoe or sandal when in public showers or locker rooms.
