If you have those rough, red patches characteristic of ringworm, you're probably searching for anything that will help.
Claims that a diet can reduce ringworm may seem too good to be true — because they are. While no foods have been proven to specifically treat ringworm, eating foods to boost your immune system when you have ringworm might help.
No worm or parasite is behind ringworm. A fungal infection causes ringworm, also called dermatophytosis or tinea. It gets its name from the red, itchy, circular rash it produces.
No evidence links vitamin deficiencies and ringworm risk, but if your immune system is weakened, you may be more likely to get it.
Is There a Diet to Treat Ringworm?
"Unfortunately, diet alone is not able to treat ringworm," says Kristi King, MPH, RDN, a senior dietitian at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. "Typically, with fungal skin infections such as ringworm, you’ll need to use topical medications to make sure you’ve completely removed the infection."
But your diet may still play a role in your healing. "Eating with the mindset to promote anti-inflammatory responses will help support your immune system while it is fighting off [a ringworm] infection," King says.
To reap anti-inflammatory benefits, she recommends consuming:
- Proteins, such as lean meat, eggs, and beans
- Omega-3 sources, like nuts, seeds, and fatty fish
- Whole grains, such as oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa
- Vegetables
- Plain yogurt
- Plenty of water
- Limited caffeine (to avoid dehydration)
For practical advice on incorporating these foods into your daily diet, consider the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) developed.
Although the NHLBI originally designed the diet to help regulate blood pressure, a review of 27 studies on the effects of diets on inflammation found that the DASH diet decreased inflammatory markers in the blood. This suggests that it might be effective for reducing low-level inflammatory processes.
Sugar and Fungal Infections
No evidence confirms that a low- or zero-sugar diet prevents ringworm or helps you get rid of an infection. However, King still recommends watching your sugar intake. "Fungus — just like bacteria — loves sugar, so you want to make sure to eat a diet that is lower in added sugar," she says.
But how do you find where that added sugar hides so you can avoid it? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated nutrition label requirements in 2020 and 2021 to include an "added sugars'' section under the line that reads "total sugars." For most Americans, the recommended daily intake of added sugars is approximately 50 grams. According to the FDA, the main sources of added sugars are baked goods, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
Can Herbs or Supplements Help Ringworm?
King advises against trying to treat ringworm with natural remedies, such as herbs or supplements. "There is no study that supports their use, and if you eat them in large quantities, you may find yourself uncomfortable, with gastrointestinal symptoms and bad breath," she cautions.
King says it's the same with other supplements that are sometimes touted as antifungal treatments for ringworm, such as caprylic acid from coconuts, vitamin B3, and olive leaf extract. "While there may be some laboratory and animal studies on these, I've seen no evidence that they have any real effects in humans with a ringworm infection," she says.
Instead, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends nonprescription antifungal creams, lotions, or powders, which tend to effectively clear up ringworm within two to four weeks when you apply them to the skin. Look for products containing one of these active ingredients:
- Clotrimazole
- Ketoconazole
- Miconazole
- Terbinafine
For ringworm on the scalp or an infection that doesn't go away with an over-the-counter remedy, you'll need a prescription medication. Speak to your doctor for advice.
