Top 11 Home Remedies To Cure Hair Fungus Naturally

Top 11 Home Remedies To Cure Hair Fungus Naturally

Fungal infections can wreak havoc not only in the kitchen but also on your body. Any part of your body – the scalp, the feet, your skin, etc. – can be a comfortable breeding ground for fungus. An infection can develop and ruin your skin and peace of mind as well.

A dirty scalp with oil, pollutants, and accumulated dead cells can easily attract fungus. Among the various fungi, ringworm is a very common fungus that affects the scalp as well as the hair. The scalp becomes itchy, dry, and very flaky. The effects of commercially available products do not last long, and some of them can make your hair very dry and frizzy in the process. It is always better to opt for home remedies under these circumstances.

These do-at-home simple solutions will treat the infection and also make your scalp and hair healthy. Let us look at the causes and symptoms of hair fungus before we delve into the natural remedies.

Causes And Symptoms

One of the most common ways to contract a fungal infection is from your pets. They generally carry the fungus on their bodies. You can also contract the infection from another infected person or by sharing items like hats, scarves, combs, etc. with them. Once the fungus settles on your scalp, it starts to damage the outer skin layer and your hair. The following symptoms are seen in a hair fungal infection:

  • Severe itching
  • Fragile hair that easily falls off
  • Patches of scaly skin on the scalp
  • Tenderness of the scalp

It is mandatory for us to take proper care of the hair and scalp to treat the infection and also avoid it in the future. Find below the best home remedies that will work naturally and effectively for fungal infections in hair.

Home Remedies To Cure Hair Fungus Naturally

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar
  2. Neem Oil
  3. Castor Oil
  4. Garlic
  5. Listerine
  6. Lemon
  7. Olive Oil
  8. Tea Tree Oil
  9. Papaya
  10. Baking Soda
  11. Coconut Oil

Top 11 Home Remedies For Hair Fungus

1. Apple Cider Vinegar For Hair Fungus

You Will Need

  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 4 cups water

What You Have To Do

1. Add the vinegar to the water and mix well.
2. Rinse your hair with this mixture before applying shampoo.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this twice or thrice a week.

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar contains potent antifungal compounds that will kill the fungus and treat the infection. The antioxidants present will aid the speedy recovery of the skin.

2. Neem Oil For Hair Fungus

You Will Need

  • 1 teaspoon neem oil
  • 2-3 tablespoons coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the neem and coconut oils.
2. Apply the mixture on your scalp and also on the hair.
3. Leave it on overnight.
4. Rinse your hair and scalp in the morning as usual.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this once every three days.

Why This Works

The antimicrobial properties of neem have been used for centuries in Ayurveda to treat different infections. When it comes to hair fungus, the neem oil will effectively kill the fungus and relieve itching and hair fall issues. The coconut oil in this remedy will nourish your scalp and hair.

3. Castor Oil For Hair Fungus

You Will Need

  • Castor oil
  • Cotton ball

What You Have To Do

1. Dip the cotton in the oil and apply it all over the infected area.
2. Let the oil sit for at least one hour. Then, rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water.
3. Blow dry your hair as the fungus grows rapidly in wet surroundings and can be contagious.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply this regularly thrice a week.

Why This Works

Castor oil might be a little sticky but its benefits for treating hair fungus are tremendous. It possesses antifungal properties that will kill fungi. It is also a good skin conditioner and will help relieve the symptoms of the infection.

Caution

While applying the oil, avoid touching the infected area directly with your hands.

4. Garlic For Hair Fungus

You Will Need

  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 5-6 tablespoons organic honey

What You Have To Do

1. Crush the garlic cloves and let them sit for 10-15 minutes.
2. To this, add the honey and mix well.
3. Apply this mixture generously to your scalp and massage for a minute or two.
4. Leave the hair pack on for about 10 minutes and then rinse with water.
5. Rinse with a shampoo to remove the hair pack thoroughly.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this pack on your scalp twice a week.

Why This Works

Garlic contains a strong antifungal compound called allicin. This compound eliminates the infection, especially if the fungus is Candida. The honey aids the garlic in its antifungal activity. It also soothes the skin and reduces any swelling with its anti-inflammatory properties.

Caution

Garlic might sting a little if you have sensitive skin. The remedy already contains honey that will soothe your skin, but you can also dilute the mix with some milk.

5. Listerine For Hair Fungus

You Will Need

  • 1/2 cup Listerine (original)
  • 1/2 cup lukewarm water

What You Have To Do

1. Rinse your hair as usual with shampoo and wash off all the shampoo thoroughly.
2. Remove all excess water from your hair.
3. In a bowl or cup, mix Listerine and warm water, and pour this over your scalp.
4. Gently massage your scalp for a minute or two.
5. Rinse hair with lukewarm water first and then with cool water.
6. Air dry or blow dry your hair.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this once every week

Why This Works

This commonly used product has a wide range of antimicrobial properties. Its key components eucalyptol, thymol, and menthol kill the fungus and treat the infection and its associated symptoms.

Caution

If you have open sores or irritation spots on your scalp, do not use this remedy. Listerine can sting or burn and irritate your sores further.

6. Lemon For Hair Fungus

You Will Need

  • 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup lukewarm water

What You Have To Do

1. Add the lemon juice to the warm water and use this as a final rinse after washing your hair.
2. Follow this up with a cool water rinse to close the pores on your scalp.

How Often You Should Do This

Use lemon juice once a week.

Why This Works

The acids present in the lemon act as antifungal agents for the hair fungus. Apart from treating the infection, lemon also kills any other microorganisms that may be causing damage to your scalp and hair. It also imparts a natural shine to your hair.

7. Olive Oil For Hair Fungus

You Will Need

Virgin olive oil

What You Have To Do

1. Apply olive oil to your scalp and hair.
2. Massage for a few minutes and leave the oil on for a few hours. You can also leave it on overnight.
3. Rinse your hair the next morning.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this twice a week.

Why This Works

Olive oil contains a wide range of nourishing and healing compounds, such as vitamins and monounsaturated fatty acids. These will relieve the itching, dryness, and flakiness of the scalp. Olive oil also possesses antifungal and antibacterial properties that can treat your scalp infection.

8. Tea Tree Oil For Hair Fungus

You Will Need

  • 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
  • 10-15 drops of tea tree oil

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the tea tree oil and aloe vera gel.
2. Apply this mixture to the scalp and massage for a minute.
3. Let the tea tree oil and aloe mix sit for 30-45 minutes.
4. Rinse your hair as usual.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice a week.

Why This Works

Tea tree oil is one of the best remedies to treat hair fungus. Terpenes, a major group of hydrocarbons found in tea tree oil, are responsible for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. The itchiness and dryness will also be relieved.

9. Papaya For Hair Fungus

You Will Need

2-3 raw papaya pieces

What You Have To Do

1. Mash the papaya and apply it to the affected area.
2. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes. Then, rinse your hair normally.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply once every week.

Why This Works

Papaya is often used to extract an antifungal enzyme called chitinase from it. Chitinase degrades the fungal cell wall, causing its death. This commercial use of papaya can be utilized at home to treat hair fungus by simply applying the fruit pulp to your scalp.

10. Baking Soda For Hair Fungus

You Will Need

  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • A few drops of rosemary oil
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda

What You Have To Do

1. Add the baking soda and rosemary oil to the warm water and mix well.
2. Apply this directly on the scalp and massage gently for a few minutes.
3. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then rinse.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this remedy once a week.

Why This Works

Superficial infections, like that of the scalp and nails, can be easily treated with baking soda. Its antifungal property is effective against different types of fungi. It also soothes dry and itchy skin caused by the infection.

11. Coconut Oil For Hair Fungus

You Will Need

Virgin coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Apply coconut oil properly on the scalp and hair.
2. Massage for a couple of minutes and leave the oil on overnight.
3. Rinse as usual in the morning.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this twice or thrice a week.

Why This Works

Coconut oil contains fatty acids, such as lauric acid, that have antimicrobial properties. Applying it regularly on the scalp will treat the fungal infection in just a few weeks. Coconut oil nourishes and moisturizes your skin, and this makes your hair healthier. It also protects the hair from damage.

Apart from using these remedies, a person infected by hair fungus must maintain personal hygiene. Do not share pillows, pillow covers, hair combs, brushes, towels, etc. with others, and do not borrow these from others as well. Scratching the infected area increases the infection instead of reducing it. So, do not scratch the affected area, even if it itches a lot.

Expert’s Answers to Readers’ Questions:

Q- Should I completely shave my head to get rid of dandruff? Will it help fight against the fungus problem?

  • In dire circumstances, you might consider shaving your head to get rid of dandruff and related infections. While this may seem like a convenient solution, it is not compulsory. Using the right anti-dandruff and antifungal products is enough to get rid of the problem…

Q- My hair smells when wet. Is this a fungus?

  • The skin on your scalp is full of sweat glands and oil glands. These secrete sweat and oil, which are absorbed by the hair. The hair can easily pick up strong odors and pollutants from the environment. As a result of this, your hair smells when it becomes wet. Regular washing can help eliminate this odor.

Q- Is homeopathic treatment adequate for scalp fungal infection?

  • If you prefer natural remedies over allopathy, homeopathy has effective solutions for hair fungus. It treats the problem topically and internally, and without any side effects. Please consult a certified homeopathic doctor if you decide to opt for this method of treatment.
  • It is best to avoid going out with wet hair to avoid being affected by hair fungus. Hair fungus is more common in children than adults. Maintaining proper personal hygiene and keeping your body clean and dry can help reduce this infection. Regular washing and gentle drying of hair are basic requirements for optimum hair health.

Hope this information on home remedies for fungus in hair proves to be helpful. Do leave us a comment.

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