People love saying “my grandmother cured her rash by sitting in the sun.” Well, my grandmother also thought putting butter on a burn was smart. She was a lovely woman, but she wasn’t a dermatologist.
Before modern antifungals, people used sunlight because it was the only thing they had. It was better than rubbing dirt on it. “Better than dirt” is not a high bar. It’s like comparing a broken-down bicycle to a pogo stick for a cross-country trip.
Also, consider this: if sunlight cured ringworm, every lifeguard in the world would have perfect, spotless skin. Spoiler: they don’t. Lifeguards get ringworm from the pool deck more than anyone. Their tan hasn’t saved them.
Final Verdict (No Drama, Just Facts)
Can the sun help? A tiny, insignificant, almost-mythical amount. Is it a treatment? No. Is it a waste of your time? Probably. Is it a good excuse to get a tan? Your skin will decide that for you.
Honestly, the best thing sun does is prevent ringworm. How? By letting you sit in a park instead of a sweaty gym. That’s it. Prevention by location, not by UV rays.
So, next time you spot a red circle, don’t head to the beach. Head to the pharmacy. Spare yourself the goofy sunburn on one arm and the existential crisis of trying to “burn out” a fungus. Your skin will thank you, and your neighbor will stop wondering why you’re doing yoga with only your left arm exposed.
And remember: fungi are like bad relationships. They don’t leave just because you sit in the sun. You need to break up with them using the proper paperwork—aka, an antifungal cream. Now, go put some on. And maybe still catch some sun, because it feels nice. Just don’t let the fungus trick you into thinking it’s a cure.
