Does Bleach Kill Ringworm on Skin?

Ringworm is a common skin infection characterized by a red raised rash that usually forms in the shape of a ring. The name of the disease is misleading. It is not caused by worms but rather a variety of fungi. The official name of ringworm is tinea, and it can develop on any part of the body including hands, feet, scalp, fingernails and toenails. Not only is it embarrassing, it is highly contagious.




If you develop an infection, you’ll want to get rid of it fast before it spreads to other parts of your body or members of your family.The standard ringworm cure is to use an antifungal cream prescribed by a doctor. There are a number of home remedies you can use to eradicate the infection. Putting bleach on ringworm rashes is an unusual one people do in lieu of using a regular ringworm medication.

Does Bleach Get Rid of Ringworm?

Bleach is an effective treatment for killing ringworm. People who use this remedy report achieving results within a day or two. However, there are disadvantages to treating ringworm with bleach. The major one is that bleach is a caustic chemical and using it on bare skin can lead to scarring. It is also poisonous. You should only use it for a very short period of time. If the infection doesn’t clear up within a day or two, then you should switch to a different treatment option.

How to Kill Ringworm Fast Using Bleach

If you don’t care about possible scaring and just want to kill the fungus, here is how to use bleach to treat a ringworm infection:

  1. Make a mixture of equal parts bleach and water
  2. Clean the affected area with soap and water. Dry thoroughly.
  3. Using a cotton swab or cotton ball, apply the diluted bleach to the infected skin. Be careful not to get the bleach anywhere else on the skin or let it drip on clothing or bedding. Bleach will stain.
  4. Let the bleach dry. Do not wash it off unless it burns or otherwise causes discomfort.
  5. Repeat the previous steps the next day.
  6. On the third day, check to see if the infection is gone. If ringworm is still present, switch to a different ringworm remedy.

ringworm-on-thighsAlternatively, a bleach bath for ringworm has also been found to be an effective treatment. This is particularly helpful if you have a ringworm infection on more than one part of your body. Add about 5 to 10 capfuls of bleach to a full bath of warm water. Soak for about 20 minutes and then wash and rinse thoroughly. Follow up with a moisturizing lotion to prevent skin dryness. Continue with this treatment until you notice the infection disappearing.

Natural Ringworm Home Remedies

As noted before, the major disadvantage to using bleach as a ringworm remedy is that it can cause scarring, which will look bad on photos you take. If you want to avoid this, there are a number of other natural ringworm home remedies that eliminate the fungal infection without causing unpleasant or dangerous side effects. Go to the homepage to read reviews of the top ringworm treatment and homeopathic medications like Phytozine that will kill the infection while keeping your skin healthy and clear for pictures. Don’t try anything that you are not absolutely sure that its safe, always consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions.