Ringworm on the scalp of children is
always a cause for concern because of its contagious nature. Children are
particularly susceptible to ringworm as contact among children is more frequent
between the ages of four and 14 years than in early childhood.
Oftentimes, transmission of ring
worm is enhanced by poor hygiene, overcrowding, contaminated hats, brushes,
pillows and other inanimate objects. A local barber who used the same
barbing equipment has been identified as a major source of infection among
students.
In treating ring worm, mothers
resort to unsafe practices like the use of alcohol, lime, kerosene, oil and
insecticides.
However, herbal medicines and the
germicidal properties of certain plants, including the oil extracted from neem
seed, have been proven to be cheap and an effective remedy for ringworm.
In the study, scientists asked
pupils to apply the oil to the affected region on their head two to three times
daily in their homes with the assistance of their parents. The pupils diagnosed
with ringworm were randomly selected from public primary schools in Ibadan, Oyo
State.
For the period of the study, the
dermatologists monitored each of the pupils on who the treatment was
administered once a week for a month. At the commencement of the study, the
circumference of the skin of each pupil covered with infection was measured
with a tape rule before administration of neem oil.
They found a significant reduction
in the proportion of skin circumference covered by infection over the treatment
period that spanned four weeks. Its effectiveness in the management of the
diagnosed infections, however, depended on consistency in the use of the oil.
The scientists, who established the
therapeutic effect of neem oil on ringworm in the 2015 edition of the Journal
of Medicinal Plant Research, said their findings was consistent with past
suggestions that neem oil can effectively control the fungus that causes
ringworm.
Given the reduction in the
circumference of skin covered with infection before treatment to what was
obtained after treatment, they declared, “its use can replace some common
unsafe practices in certain parts of Nigeria.”
Given the global change towards the
use of non-toxic plant products, they suggested that development of products
from neem should be emphasised for the control of various diseases since neem
tree is common in our environment and its oil can easily be extracted from its seed.
Studies have shown that neem seed
oil has moisturising and regenerative properties, containing Vitamin E as well
as essential fatty acids. Some of its chemical constituents like the terpenoids
are considered to have antimicrobial and insecticidal properties among many
other actions.
Scientific research today validates
many of the traditional uses of neem oil. It is used to treat bacterial,
fungal, and viral infections, to boost the immune system and to treat many
specific health problems.
Among other conditions, neem oil has
been historically used to treat the following: acne, eczema, psoriasis,
scabies, gingivitis, lice, dandruff, ringworm, wounds, rashes, wrinkles,
athlete’s foot, worms, boils and warts.
Similarly, scientists have listed
plants that are useful remedies for ringworm in Cross Rivers State to include
Senna alanta and Borreria Ocymoides. Senna alata is commonly called ringworm
burn or candle bush.
The 2009 study reported in the
African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences that the local plants were
more effective than the conventional drugs used in the treatment of ringworm,
thus offering some hope of treatment and control.
These plant extracts were tested on
germs that cause ringworm, which were collected from 840 pupils that were screened
for ringworm in the communities involved in the study.
The researchers found that the local
plants were more effective than the conventional drugs used in the treatment of
ringworm, thus offering some hope of treatment and control.
Elsewhere in Nigeria, coconut oil
has been attested to as safe and effective for ringworm. Its magic ingredient,
especially Lauric acid, is capable of killing many species of fungi. Lauric
acid dissolves the fatty outer membranes of the microbes thus killing them.
SOURCE: TRIBUNENG
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