DEAR DR. GOTT:
My young son has two areas of ringworm on his arm. Since we’ve never had experience with this before, I would like some direction as to how I can best treat it.

DEAR READER:
Ringworm (tinea) is an infection of the skin caused by a fungus, not by a worm as the name implies. There are several forms that present with itchy, red, scaly patches that can blister and ooze. Areas commonly affected are arms, legs, nails, the scalp, groin, and feet. Those that occur around the groin area are commonly known as jock itch; those of the feet are commonly known as athlete’s foot. Bacteria and fungi live on the body. While some are useful, others are not; those that aren’t have the ability to multiply rapidly and form infections. [Read more...]

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have another home remedy for you to add to your list.

I had an experience more than 60 years ago with ringworm. I suffered for months and months with it. I had seen several dermatologists and tried several medications but nothing seemed to work. It continued to itch and grow.

An acquaintance then told me of an old remedy she knew of after seeing the growing rash on my arm. She told me to apply sap from the brittle stem of a common nasturtium flower. Simply break the stem and dab the “goo” onto the entire affected area.

It burned like the dickens but I stuck with it. After a few applications and less than a week, the whole thing dried up perfectly. No more itching! It was wonderful. [Read more...]