Buni Treatment 101: How to Prevent and Deal with Ringworm

Hundreds of culprits can make your skin itch. In most cases, itching is not a cause for concern. However, it's a different story when the irritating sensation comes with a red, scaly ring-shaped rash – a telltale sign of ringworm. It's a contagious skin infection that may recur unless you follow proper buni treatment and prevention.

Despite its misleading name, ringworm (also known as tinea) has nothing to do with worms but rather a type of fungi known as dermatophytes. These sneaky fungi thrive in moist areas, particularly sweaty skin surfaces, and can spread from humans and animals. You can also catch ringworm by touching a contaminated object.

Buni can occur on any part of the body, typically on the scalp, feet, thighs, face, and hands. It typically starts as a circular rash with a red border around it, but more symptoms may show up depending on which area is infected. For instance, you may see blisters around the rash if the ringworm is between your toes. If it affects your scalp, it usually causes flaking that resembles dandruff.

Fungi can be found in public restrooms, your gym's locker room, or even on your pet's fluffy fur. But as long as you practice proper hygiene, buni treatment will be a breeze. Here’s what you can do if you develop this rash.

While putting a bandage on the rash might be tempting, doing so can prolong the healing process. Covering the affected area traps sweat and oil – and fungus loves to breed in this environment.

You shouldn't cover the ringworm with clothes, either. The friction from the fabric hinders the skin's ability to heal. So let your skin breathe by wearing loose-fitting outfits.

Washing the infected area regularly helps your topical buni treatment – which includes over-the-counter antifungal medication – penetrate the skin and work more effectively. Plus, it can reduce discomfort and itchiness while you treat buni.

When in the shower, clean the rash with LIFEBUOY Antibacterial Body Wash with Multivitamins+ Total 10. It's formulated with Activ Silver+, which kills 99.9% of germs, boosting your skin's natural defense. You can also pop a bar of LIFEBUOY Antibacterial Bar Soap with Multivitamins+ Total 10 inside your gym bag to wash away any fungal spores that may have come into contact with your skin.

Another important tip is to use two separate towels. One for your body, one for the ringworm rash. Pat the area dry immediately post-shower. Then, soak the towel in hot, sudsy water to disinfect it.

Ringworm is highly contagious. Fungal spores can stick to the skin and other surfaces like fabric for a long time. The only way to eliminate them is by washing contaminated items with hot water and a strong detergent.

Changing your garments helps stop the infection from spreading to other areas of your body or to other individuals. As an extra precaution, sleep on new sheets every night. Yes, this includes your blanket, bed cover, and pillowcases. Trust us, doing the laundry is a small price to pay for a buni-free life.

Public showers, swimming pool areas, and hotel floors are usually contaminated with fungal spores. Wearing proper footwear gives you some level of protection. If you have an active ringworm infection on your feet, open-toed shoes like sandals keep the area dry. Plus, they’re much more comfortable than boots or heels.

If the occasion calls for closed-toe footwear, opt for fast-drying socks. You can also wear compression socks with antimicrobial copper or silver yarn.

Long nails are more likely to harbor dirt, debris, and potentially infectious particles, including fungal spores. When you scratch the rash with your fingers, it breaks the skin’s surface, creating micro cuts through which fungus can enter. This can result in secondary infections.

In addition, dermatophyte fungi can enter your nails through cracks in the surrounding skin. This condition is called tinea unguium, which causes your nails to turn yellow, harden, and fall off the bed. Yikes. Lay off the gel or acrylic extensions while treating buni and trim your nails weekly to be safe.

On top of your buni treatment, maintain good personal hygiene practices and seek professional help if the symptoms don’t improve within a few weeks.