Ringworm doesn’t really care who it affects – you, your dogs, or your cats. And since it spreads easily, if you’ve got kids in school, you may find yourself treating it.

It’s not really a worm. It’s a fungal infection of the skin that usually shows up in humans as raised red patches with defined edges… looking like a worm curled under the skin. It doesn’t always look like a ring when it affects your pets, but it does make their hair break off over the affected area.

Ringworm can be transferred back and forth between pets and humans – pets and pets – or humans and humans. The fungal spores can live for a long time in the environment, so it’s important to do a good anti-fungal cleaning if your home has had it.

But – I promised some home remedies, not a lecture on house cleaning, so here they are. Use most several times a day.

1. Aloe Vera
2. Tea tree oil
3. Honey and olive oil in melted beeswax
4. Apple cider vinegar
5. Listerine mouthwash
6. The oregano herb – mix with olive oil
7. Epsom salt solution – soak once a day
8. Nail polish – if you use it on pets, make sure it’s dry before you turn them loose
9. Chewing tobacco – any wet tobacco. Use as a poultice and wrap it.
10. Diluted lime sulfur – one part to 16 to 32 parts water. Will stain!
11. Grapefruit seed extract
12. Raw papaya
13. Fresh garlic
14. Bleach – one part bleach to 6 parts water
15. Bag balm
16. Pure virgin coconut oil – also good for diaper rash!

Remember that everyone – pets and people alike – has a different system. Watch for allergic reactions and discontinue if they appear. Remember that allergies can take many forms – including headaches and muscle aches.