Fact Check: Can garlic cure ringworm?

Can Garlic cure ringworm ?

Claim: A video on social media site YouTube claims that garlic cures ringworm. The video mentions pounding garlic  and rubbing it vigorously on ringworm twice daily can cure ringworm in as fast as 2 days. The link to the claim is here.

 FACT CHECK:

The claim is FALSE.

What is Ringworm?

Ringworm is a common infection of the skin and nails that is caused by fungus. The infection is called “ringworm” because it can cause an itchy, red, circular rash. Ringworm is also called “tinea” or “dermatophytosis.” The different types of ringworm are usually named for the location of the infection on the body. (1)

According to American Academy of Dermatology Association “Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus, not a worm. It is very common, and your risk increases in hot, humid weather. Ringworm is an infection caused by fungus. You can get ringworm anywhere on your skin. On most areas of the skin, it causes ring-shaped patches. What you see, however, changes when ringworm grows on the feet (bottoms and sides), palms, nails, groin, beard area, or scalp.” (2) Out of a total population of 6 987,237 (3.4%) were found to be infected by this disease. There was a high incidence of both scalp and foot ringworms among the infected children. (3)

The symptoms of ringworm often include: Itchy skin, Ring-shaped rash. Red, scaly, cracked skin, Hair loss

Can Garlic cure ringworm?

We did not find any significant evidence regarding to this. Garlic is known for its antimicrobial properties, which include antifungal effects. However, scientific evidence supporting garlic as a definitive cure for ringworm is limited.

A study published in "Phytotherapy Research" in 2019 evaluated the antifungal activity of allicin, a compound found in garlic, against Candida albicans, a common fungal species. The researchers observed that allicin showed promising antifungal properties, indicating its potential for the treatment of fungal infections.(4)

Additionally, a review article published in the "Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine" in 2014 summarized the antimicrobial activities of garlic and its bioactive components. The review highlighted garlic's broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects, including its activity against various fungi, bacteria, and viruses.(5)

Conversing to Medical Dialogues team Dr. Monica Bambroo, Head, Dermatology and Cosmetology at Artemis Hospital Gurugram ‘‘Tinea or ring worm infection is very common topical weather. It involves itchy red lesions usually like rings in the groins but not uncommon in other body areas too. Ignoring these rashes can often lead to large body surface area involvement and severe infections. Home remedies like Garlic has certain compounds like allicin, which show antifungal properties. While there’s anecdotal evidence suggesting garlic can help treat ringworm, scientific studies supporting its efficacy specifically for ringworm are limited. Though Allicin works by disrupting fungal cell membranes and inhibits their growth, but garlic application directly on skin can cause irritation, skin burns and rash, worsening the primary problem. Moreover, it’s essential to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment of ringworm. Medical treatment is simple and done properly can give complete relief within weeks”

Benefits of Garlic:

Garlic, from crushed to capsules, is consumed throughout the world. This review paper demonstrated some of the benefits of garlic for its potential uses in preventing and curing different diseases, and acting as antioxidant for many radicals.

Are there any side effects associated with using garlic as a treatment for ringworm?

Speaking to Medical Dialogues team Dr. Neha Khuraana, MD, a Board-certified Dermatologist and Founder House of Aesthetics clarified ‘‘Ringworm is a fungal infection, and while garlic has antifungal properties, it can actually worsen the infection instead of healing it. This is because garlic can be quite irritating to the skin, especially on sensitive areas. Applying it to an already inflamed ringworm patch can cause a skin problem called contact dermatitis. This leads to even more discomfort and delayed healing. Ringworm is highly treatable with effective creams and readily available medications specifically designed to help with ringworm. Consulting the right person, who is a dermatologist, helps you diagnose the issue properly and align your concerns accordingly for a quick, effective, and safe treatment.”

Medical Dialogues Final Take:

No Garlic doesn’t cure ringworm. Garlic does have some antimicrobial properties, which include antifungal effects but the claim that application of garlic can cure ringworm in as fast as two days is false.

References 

1.https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/definition.html

2. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/ringworm-symptoms.

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3990759/#:~:text=Out%20of%20a%20total%20population,ringworms%20among%20the%20infected%20children.

4.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8739926/.

5.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/.