Ringworm Scalp – Symptoms and Causes

Understanding Scalp Fungal Infections

Fungal infections of the scalp (tinea capitis) create circular, scaly rashes that often cause hair loss in affected areas. Despite its name “ringworm,” this condition has nothing to do with worms. Instead, it’s caused by fungal organisms.

The infection typically appears as round, itchy patches where hair breaks off near the scalp. This creates bald-looking areas that gradually expand over time.

This contagious condition spreads easily among children, particularly those in preschool and elementary school. It belongs to the same family of fungal infections as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and body ringworm.

Effective treatment usually requires oral antifungal medication to eliminate the infection. Special medicated shampoos can help prevent spreading the infection to others in the household.

Treatment Options

• Oral antifungal medications – the primary treatment for eliminating the infection.
• Medicated shampoos – help prevent spreading to others.
• Prescription creams – may help with symptoms in some cases.
• Regular washing – maintaining good hygiene during treatment.

Most cases resolve completely with proper treatment, though the full course of medication must be completed as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Signs and Symptoms

Ringworm of the scalp shows up as round, scaly patches where hair has broken off near the scalp. These spots slowly grow larger over time. If you look closely, you might notice:

• Scaly, silvery skin in the affected areas
• Small black dots where hair has broken off at the scalp level
• Broken hair shafts around the patches

The hair in infected areas becomes very brittle and breaks easily when touched or pulled. Many people also experience tenderness or pain in these spots.

The fragile nature of the affected hair is a key sign that helps identify this condition.

When to See a Doctor

If your child shows signs of hair loss, scaling, itchiness, or any unusual changes to their scalp, contact a doctor right away.

These symptoms might look similar across different scalp conditions, making it hard to tell what’s wrong without proper medical expertise.

Getting the right diagnosis quickly is essential. Remember that over-the-counter products like creams, lotions, and powders will not effectively treat ringworm of the scalp. Only prescription medications prescribed by a healthcare provider can properly clear up this condition.

What Causes Ringworm of the Scalp

Ringworm of the scalp develops when certain fungi infect the skin on the scalp and hair shafts. This fungal infection damages the outer layer of the scalp skin and causes hair to break off.

The fungi thrive in warm, moist environments. There are three main ways that ringworm spreads:

• Person-to-Person Contact: Direct skin contact with someone who has the infection is a common way to get ringworm. The fungi can easily transfer from one person’s scalp to another.

• Animal-to-Person Contact: Touching or handling infected animals can spread ringworm to humans. Young animals like puppies and kittens often carry the fungus, as do farm animals such as cows, goats, pigs, and horses.

• Object-to-Person Contact: The fungus can live on objects that infected people or animals have touched. You can get ringworm by using or touching:
  • Shared combs and brushes
  • Contaminated clothing
  • Used towels or bedding
  • Other personal items from someone with ringworm

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase the chance of getting ringworm of the scalp:

• Age: Children, especially those in elementary school and toddlers, face higher risk than teens or adults.

• Contact with Infected Children: The infection spreads easily in schools and daycare centers where kids share space and often touch each other’s heads or belongings.

• Pet Exposure: Dogs and cats can carry the fungus without showing symptoms. Children who pet or cuddle infected animals can catch ringworm, even when the pet appears healthy.

Possible Problems

Kerion is a serious form of scalp ringworm. It shows up as soft, raised bumps on the scalp that leak pus and may form crusty yellow patches.

This condition causes hair to fall out easily. You might even be able to pull hair out without much effort. Kerion happens when the body reacts strongly to the fungal infection.

If not treated properly, kerion can lead to lasting problems. These include scars on the scalp and areas where hair won’t grow back.

Preventing Scalp Ringworm

Scalp ringworm spreads easily and can be contagious before symptoms show up. While complete prevention is challenging, several steps can lower your risk:

Daily Hygiene Practices

• Wash hair regularly, especially after haircuts
• Keep skin clean and dry, particularly after sweating
• Wash hands thoroughly after playing with pets
• Use conditioning products with coconut oil or selenium which may help prevent infection

Avoid Sharing Personal Items

• Hairbrushes and combs
• Hats, scarves, and headbands
• Towels
• Sports equipment that touches the head

Pet Care Precautions

Look for patchy areas of missing fur on pets, which might indicate ringworm. Ask your veterinarian to examine pets regularly, especially if you notice skin changes.

Community Settings

Keep shared spaces clean in schools, daycares, gyms, and locker rooms. These areas can harbor the fungus that causes ringworm.

Education

Talk to children about ringworm and teach them preventive measures. Explain how it spreads and what symptoms to watch for so they can avoid contact with infected areas.