In this article:
1.
What is Ringworm (also known as Tinea)
2.
Ringworm Infection - at Greatest Risk
3.
Symptoms of Ringworm
4.
Preventing Cross-Contamination of Ringworm
5.
Conventional Chemical-Based Treatments – Reason to Go Natural
6.
Natural Remedies
7.
Natural Topical Remedies
8.
Natural Ingested Remedies
9.
Dietary Support - Provide an Immune System, Health Supporting Diet
1.0 What is Ringworm
Tinea is an alternate name for
ringworm...
Ringworm
is not actually a worm it is instead a disease of the skin that is caused by a type
of fungus called a dermatophyte . Dermatophytes also cause hair and nail
infections. The most common fungi responsible for causing ringworm in dogs and
cats are:
- Microsporum canis;
- Micorsporum gypseum;
- Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
The
ringworm fungus lives on the hair fibres and skin.
A
case of ringworm is not difficult to remedy when approached the right way. Conventional methods of treatment can be very inexpensive, and health damaging. You can treat this condition using simple, safe, natural remedies.
Ringworm
is a Zoonotic Infection...
Meaning that humans can also contract
it from non-human animals.
- Ringworm is highly contagious –
it can easily spread via the following means:
- Direct skin-to-skin contact with
an infected human or non-human animal;
- May be acquired from exposure
via wind-blown fungi spores.
2.0 Ringworm Infection -
at greatest risk...
Ringworm is more apt to infect
an animal - non-human or human, under the following conditions...
- Young, or:
- Has a suppressed immune system. Suppression
of the immune system can happen for many reasons, for example:
A
strong immune system is better able to defend itself from invasion of fungi. Time
to check your dog's and cat's diet and health care regimen...guidance on that
further below.
3.0 Symptoms of Ringworm
Typical symptoms of Ringworm
include:
- Hair;
- Skin;
- Red circular rash with clear
spot in the middle;
- Itchiness;
- Irritation - inflammation;
- Lesions – most common on the
head but may appear elsewhere on the body;
- Pustules;
- Scaly skin.
Some of the symptoms of ringworm are
similar to auto-immune diseases, other bacterial diseases, demodectic mange –
but the circular rash normally indicates ringworm.
Mild cases of ringworm may clear in a
week or two simply by applying a topical treatment;
Severe cases of ringworm may persist
and can require both topical and ingested treatment.
4.0 Preventing Cross
Contamination
The
ringworm fungi can live on:
- Moist areas of the skin but also
on – for example:
- Bedding;
- Clothing;
- Other fabric such as towels,
- Carpet;
- Carpeted cat trees,
- Collars, harness, leash, etc.
Washing or spraying with organic apple cider
vinegar (ACV) will help kill the ringworm fungus on these household items
safely – ACV is not toxic to dogs and cats.
In severe cases you may have to discard
some items.
5.0 Conventional Treatments –
Reason to Go Natural
In some very severe cases conventional
medicines may be required however it is best to intervene first by treating
with natural remedies and resort to conventional treatments only if 100%
necessary.
Conventional treatments for ringworm
used by allopathic veterinarians have many side effects that range
from mild to lethal. The following provides a few examples of these
conventional drugs and related side effects:
Griseofulvin
Used
to treat fungal infections of the hair, nails, skin etc.
- Side effects – common:
- Allergic reaction;
- Chronic Trouble Sleeping;
Confusion, disorientation;
- Dizziness;
- Fatigue;
- Hepatitis;
- Hives;
- Intestine or stomach irritation;
- Skin Rash;
- Sun-Sensitive Skin;
- Thrush;
- Numbness, tingling or pain in
paws;
- Urine – elevation of protein in
urine;
- Vomiting
- White blood cells – decreased.
- Side Effects – rare cases:
- Bilirubin in blood – high
amounts;
- Gaint hives;
- Liver function – abnormal;
- Lupus like-syndrome;
- Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis – in
most cases results in death;
Fluconazole (generic name
Diflucan)
Used
for yeast and fungal infections.
- Side effects - common:
- Appetite loss;
- Diarrhea;
- Dizziness;
- Heart – fast or irregular heart
beat;
- Hair (fur) loss;
- Nausea;
- Pale gums, nose and tongue;
- Skin rash;
- Stomach upset and pain;
- Urine – dark or jaundice due to liver
failure;
- Vomiting;
- Side Effects – rare:
- Allergic reaction (laboured
breathing, itching, swelling);
- Liver failure, liver disease.
6.0 Natural Remedies
The best remedy is one that
seeks to provide treatment and remedy using a three-point approach...
1.
Natural topical remedy, plus;
2. Natural
ingested remedy, plus a;
3. Dietary
means of boosting the immune system – provide
an immune system, health supporting diet.
7.0 Natural Topical Remedies
Remember, ring worm is highly contagious
so wear gloves when applying topical treatments to the areas of the skin
affected by ringworm.
For the following treatments use
organic products whenever possible.
Topical treatments should be used in
combination with an ingested treatment and an immune system boosting daily
diet.
Aloe Vera Juice
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^
- Aloe Vera Juice is
anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral.
- To Apply Topically
- Use a cotton ball to apply (dab)
aloe vera juice directly onto the affected area – rub gently;
- Repeat two to three times daily;
- Aloe vera juice can be used on
irritated, inflamed and broken skin (lesions) without fear of causing
pain;
- Use only 100% food grade aloe
vera juice or 100% human grade aloe vera gel.
Read
here for detailed information, cautions and interactions.
Apple Cider Vinegar- organic,
unpasturized, unfiltered
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^
Organic
unpasturized, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (ACV) is anti-bacterial,
anti-fungal and anti-viral.
- To Apply Topically
- Use a cotton ball to apply (dab)
the ACV directly onto the affected area – rub gently;
- Repeat two to three times daily;
- Do not use ACV on
broken skin/lesions open wounds as the ACV can sting, cause temporary pain
due to ACV’s acidic nature.
Read here for detailed information,
cautions and interactions.
Calendula
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^
Calendula
has excellent anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and wound healing
properties.
- Use:
- Calendula cream or ointment, or;
- Essential oil – 10 drops of
essential calendula oil mixed with 1 tsp of olive oil;
- Do not use undiluted essential
oil;
- Avoid contact with eyes and
mucous membranes.
- Tincture of calendula, or;
- Steeped and cooled calendula tea
bag or tea.
- To Apply Topically
- Use a cotton ball to apply (dab)
calendula tincture or tea directly onto the affected area – rub gently;
- Or just place the cooled,
steeped tea bag against the affected area;
- Repeat two to three times daily.
- Calendula can be used on
irritated, inflamed and broken skin (lesions) without fear of causing
pain. Calendula is non-toxic to dogs and cats when used as noted above.
- Cautions:
Coconut Oil (Organic)
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^
Organic
coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, has antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties and many other health benefits.
- To Apply Topically
- Use a cotton ball to apply
(spread) organic coconut oil directly onto the affected area – rub
gently; Repeat two to three times daily;
- Coconut oil can be used on irritated,
inflamed and broken skin (lesions) without fear of causing pain.
Read here for detailed information on coconut oil.
Colloidal Silver
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^
Colloidal Silver is a natural and
powerful broad spectrum antibiotic agent. It also has excellent
antiseptic, anti-fungal and disinfectant properties. As long ago as 400 B.C.
Hippocrates described colloidal silver’s antimicrobial properties. In addition
to having antibiotic properties, new studies have demonstrated that silver is
one of the most effective substances for fighting antibiotic resistant
super-pathogens such as MRSA.
- To
Apply Topically:
- Use
a cotton ball to apply (dab) Colloidal Silver directly onto the affected
area – rub gently;
- Repeat
two to three times daily;
- Colloidal
Silver can be used on irritated, inflamed and broken skin (lesions)
without fear of causing pain.
Read here for detailed information on colloidal silver.
Garlic – fresh
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ only
Garlic
is a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic that also has other very beneficial
properties – anti-allergen, anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogen, anti-fungal,
antioxidant, anti-protozoan and anti-viral.
- To Apply Topically
- Slice, or crush a clove of
garlic;
- Allow to sit for 10 to 15
minutes;
- Then gently rub the garlic onto
the affected area;
- Fresh garlic loses its medicinal
properties an hour after it has been activated:
- Activating the medicinal
properties of garlic is achieved by:
- Bruising, chopping, mincing or
slicing the garlic clove;
- This allows the medicinal
properties located in the garlic’s cells to be released and interact with
each other to create garlic’s health benefiting properties;
For detailed information on the many
health benefits, daily dosage, cautions, interactions of garlic read here.
Indian Strawberry (Mock
Strawberry)
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^
Indian
Strawberry has excellent anticoagulant, antiseptic, depurative
(detoxification), febrifuge (fever reducing) properties.
- Use
- Make a poultice of fresh leaves
and berries;
- You will need…
- Fresh Leaves;
- Fresh Berries;
- A cloth.
- To Make…
- Place leaves and berries in
the cloth;
- Crush the cloth to mash the
leaves and berries;
- Apply the moist mash directly
to the ringworm affected areas.
- Repeat two to three times
daily.
- Cautions:
Read here for detailed information on Indian Strawberry.
Lavender
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^
Lavender
has excellent antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory,
antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, analgesic, calmative, detoxifier,
hypotensive, and sedative properties.
- Use:
- 10 drops of essential Lavender
oil mixed with 1 tsp of olive oil;
- Do not use undiluted lavender
oil.
- To Apply Topically
- Use a cotton ball to apply
(dab) the lavender /olive oil mixture directly onto the affected area –
rub gently;
- Repeat two to three times
daily.
- Lavender can be used on
irritated, inflamed and broken skin (lesions) without fear of causing
pain.
- You can also try using cooled
organic steeped lavender tea bags.
- Cautions:
- Avoid contact with eyes and
mucous membranes.
- Don’t use lavender oil/tincture
if:
- Your dog or cat is pregnant;
- Has high-blood pressure;
- Has epilepsy.
Licorice Root
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^
Licorice
root has excellent anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and wound
healing properties.
- Use:
- Tincture of licorice root;
- Essential oil – 10 drops of
essential licorice oil mixed with 1 tsp of olive oil;
- Do not use undiluted essential
oil,;
- Avoid contact with eyes and
mucous membranes;
- or...
- Steeped and cooled licorice tea
or tea bag.
- To Apply Topically
- Use a cotton ball to apply (dab)
licorice tincture or tea directly onto the affected area – rub gently;
- Or just place the cooled,
steeped tea bag against the affected area;
- Repeat two to three times daily.
- Licorice root can be used on
irritated, inflamed and broken skin (lesions) without fear of causing
pain.
Read here for detailed information on Licorice root.
Oil of Oregano
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ
Oregano
has excellent anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-viral properties
that also make oregano useful for combating intestinal worms and parasites.
- Combine:
- 2 drops of oil of oregano with;
- 1 tbs of coconut oil or sweet
almond oil;
- Use a cotton ball to lightly apply the
mixture, to the affected areas.
Papaya – fresh
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^
For some milder cases of ringworm
papaya can work to eliminate the fungi. Papayina, the principal active
ingredient in papaya provides the fruit with antibacterial and proteolytic
(digestive enzyme) properties. Papaya also contains papain and chymopapain both
are powerful proteolytic enzymes.
- To Apply Topically
- Slice a piece of papaya and use
the exposed flesh side of the fruit to rub gently against the affected
area;
- Repeat two to three times daily;
- Papaya is non-toxic to dogs and
cats and can also be used as a healthful additive to the daily diet;
- Papaya is also helpful for combating internal parasites.
Read here for detailed information on Papaya.
8.0 Natural Ingested Remedies
Use in Combination with a Topical Treatment
 |
| Part of my dog pack |
All
of the items listed below as being 'a healthy addition to the daily diet' can
be used on their own or together. My dogs get all of the items noted as
'a healthy addition to the daily diet' every day as part of their normal diet.
You can choose one, several or all of these items. Items that are to be used as
a temporary remedy are noted.
Aloe Vera Juice - use 100% pure food
grade aloe vera juice only
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^ as a healthy addition to the daily diet...
Aloe
Vera Juice is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral.
- Aloe vera juice is non-toxic to
dogs and cats and can be used as an ingested treatment and healthful
additive to the daily diet;
- Daily Dosage:
- Small size dogs and cats
- 1 tbs;
- Medium size dogs - 1/8 sup
- Large size dogs - 1/4 cup
- X-Large dogs - 1/3 to 1/2 cup
Read here for detailed information, cautions and
interactions.
Apple Cider Vinegar – use organic
unfiltered, unpasteurized ACV only
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^ as a healthy addition to the daily diet...
Aloe
Vera Juice is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral.
- Organic ACV is non-toxic to dogs
and cats when used as a healthful additive to the daily diet in the
correct dosage;
- Daily Dosage:
- Small Dogs (and cats) up to 14
lbs - 1 tsp;
- Medium Dogs (and cats) 15 lbs
to 34 lbs - 2 ts;
- Large Dogs:
- 35 lbs to 84 lbs - 1 tbs;
- 85 lbs to 134 lbs - 1.5 tbsp;
- 135 lbs to 200 lbs – 2 tbsp.
Read here for detailed information, cautions and
interactions.
Coconut Oil - use organic coconut
oil only
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^ as a healthy addition to the daily diet...
- Organic coconut oil is
anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, has antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties.
- Coconut oil is non-toxic to dogs
and cats when ingested in reasonable quantities (over dosage of any fat
can lead to health problems). Coconut oil is a healthful additive to the
daily diet.
- Daily Dosage:
- ¼
teaspoon for every 10 lbs of body weight twice daily, or
- ½ teaspoon for
every 10 lbs of body weight once daily;
Read here for detailed information on coconut oil.
Colloidal Silver
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^ for use as a temporary treatment
Colloidal
Silver is a natural and powerful broad spectrum antibiotic agent. It also
has excellent antiseptic, anti-fungal and disinfectant properties.
For
information on using colloidal sliver as an ingested treatment read here.
Garlic – fresh
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ only! as a healthy addition to the daily diet...
Garlic
is a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic that also has other very beneficial
properties – anti-allergen, anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogen, anti-fungal,
antioxidant, anti-protozoan and anti-viral.When provided in the correct daily
dosage garlic is and excellent healthful addition to the daily diet.
- To prepare garlic for ingestion:
- Slice, or crush a clove of
garlic;
- Allow to sit for 10 to 15
minutes;
- Then gently rub the garlic onto
the affected area;
- Fresh garlic loses its medicinal
properties an hour after it has been activated:
- Activating the medicinal
properties of garlic is achieved by:
- Bruising, chopping, mincing or
slicing the garlic clove;
- This allows the medicinal
properties located in the garlic’s cells to be released and interact with
each other to create garlic’s health benefitting properties;
- Daily Dosage:
- 1 tsp fresh minced or finely
chopped garlic per day per every 30lbs of body weight
For detailed information on the many
health benefits, daily dosage, cautions, interactions of garlic read here.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^ as a temporary treatment...
Grapefruit
seed extract (GSE) is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory,
anti-microbial, anti-parasitic and more. GSE has no side effects however it
does interact with some conventional drugs.
For detailed information on the many
health benefits, daily dosage, cautions, interactions of GSE read here.
Pumpkin Seeds (Pepita seeds)
For Dogs ᵔᴥᵔ and Cats ^._.^ as a healthy addition to the daily diet...
Pumpkin
seeds have excellent anti-fungal properties in addition to being
anti-microbial, rich in antioxidants (immune system supporting) and anti-carcinogenic
properties. Pumpkin seeds are also a natural dewormer.
- Use natural raw shelled pumpkin
seeds;
- Use a food processor, coffee
grinder or mortar and pestle to grind the seeds into a fine powder;
- Store the ground seeds in a jar
or BPA-free plastic container;
- At meal time add the ground
pumpkin seeds to the food once a day;
- Dosage:
- ¼ tsp for every 10 lbs of body
weight.
10.0 Dietary Support
Provide an Immune System,
Health Supporting Diet
If you are only relying on processed
dry dog or cat food/treats, your dog’s and cat’s immune system will not be
functioning at an optimal level.
The following options provide you with
guidance on how to better support your dog’s and cat’s immune system and
overall health with a better diet…
The Homemade Cooked and Fresh
Food Diet
A
good homemade cooked and fresh food diet is an excellent choice and much better
for your dog or cat than a dry processed food diet. You can use this Homemade Food Recipe, which also provides a full list of
supplements.
Raw Food Diet
A
good raw food /fresh food diet is an excellent choice and much better for your
dog or cat than dry processed food diet. There are some very good commercial
raw food products so you don’t have to make the raw food diet from scratch
yourself. But, just as with processed dry dog food – not all pre-prepared raw
foods are the same. Look for one that uses hormone-free, non-GMO fed,
antibiotic-free meat, blended with organic vegetables and fruit. Raw food diets
should also be supplemented with additional:
If your dog or cat has never eaten raw
food you must make the transition slowly from his/her existing diet to a raw
food diet. Start by giving a little piece of the raw food as a treat between
meals. After a week begin to replace a very small portion of food at meal time
with the raw food. Gradually increase the amount of raw food until it
completely replaces the former food. Raw meat requires much stronger stomach
acids for digestion than does processed dry food. If you do not
transition properly your animal will probably experience diarrhea and/or vomiting.
Dry/Wet Processed Food Diet
If
you want to continue to feed your dog or cat a processed commercially
manufactured dry food (kibble) or wet food then you need to supplement
the diet with real food and nutraceuticals (food and extracts from food that
provide health and medicinal benefits hat prevent illness and disease) is
required. At minimum the following should be added to the
daily diet…
- Omega-3 fatty acids;
- Viable probiotics either in supplement form or food form;
- Digestive enzymes:
- Choose a bromelian-based or
papain-based digestive supplement – either human grade or one made
specifically for pets. But be careful in your selection as the vast
majority of supplements are of poor quality;
- When choosing a supplement look
for one that is free of: fillers, sweeteners, food colouring and other
unnecessary and toxic ingredients;
- Bromelian is a naturally
occurring enzyme that promotes digestion;
- Typically obtained by
extracting the enzyme from pineapples.Papain is a naturally occurring
enzyme that promotes digestion;
- Papain is obtained by
extracting the enzyme from papaya.
- You can also use fresh
papaya – which is what I give to my dogs on a daily basis;
Fresh
cooked organ meat such as liver should be given in small amounts daily.
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