by Prof. Cade Gaylord
Published 3 years ago
Updated 2 years ago
Ringworm of the scalp is caused by a common fungus. The fungus attacks the outer layer of skin on the scalp and the hair. This causes those hairs to break.Jan 22, 2022
Symptoms
These bald-looking patches slowly grow larger, covering more areas of the scalp. Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) is a fungal infection of the scalp and hair shafts. The signs and symptoms of ringworm of the scalp may vary, but it usually appears as itchy, scaly, bald patches on the head.
Causes
Pyrithione zinc, found in Head and Shoulders shampoo, is a very effective treatment for ringworm on the scalp and can be used as a body wash to assist in overall treatment. On September 28, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated that Terbinafine (Lamisil by Novartis AG) is a new treatment approved for use by children aged 4 up.
Prevention
Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) is a rash caused by a fungal infection. It usually causes itchy, scaly, bald patches on the head. Ringworm gets its name because of its circular appearance. No worm is involved. Ringworm of the scalp is a contagious infection. It's most common in toddlers and school-age children.
Complications
Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) – deep hair follicle fungal infection with scaling, redness and areas of hair loss in the scalp – usually requires oral antifungal medicines for several weeks to treat. Yeast infections (candida) – often occur in areas ...
What does a ringworm in the head look like?
Will head and shoulders cure ringworm?
Can you get Ringworm on your head?
How to cure ringworm?
Explore
How do you treat scalp ringworm?
Ringworm on the scalp needs to be treated with prescription antifungal medication....Prescription antifungal medications used to treat ringworm on the scalp include:Griseofulvin (Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG)Terbinafine.Itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox)Fluconazole (Diflucan)
What does scalp ringworm look like?
Ringworm of the scalp or beard oftenlooks like round, bald patches. Most often, the infection spreads outward whilethe inside of the circle clears up. This makes the infection look like a ring.
Will scalp ringworm go away by itself?
Overview: Ringworm of the scalp won't go away on its own. It will keep spreading to more of the scalp. It can be cured with prescription medicines.
Signs and symptoms of ringworm of the scalp may include: One or more round, scaly or inflamed patches where the hair has broken off at or near the scalp. Patches that slowly get bigger and have small, black dots where the hair has broken off. Brittle or fragile hair that can be easily broken or pulled out.
How do you know if you have fungus on your scalp?
You may experience one or more of the following:red or purple rash, cracks, or patches on the skin.white, flaky scales or shedding.areas that appear soft, moist, and white.white, pus-filled pimples.
What does ringworm look like when it starts?
Signs and symptoms of ringworm may include: A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs. Itchiness. A clear or scaly area inside the ring, perhaps with a scattering of bumps whose color ranges from red on white skin to reddish, purplish, brown or gray on black and brown skin.
What shampoo should I use for ringworm?
Purchase a nonprescription shampoo containing selenium sulfide (e.g., Selsun). Lather up and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing. Use the antifungal shampoo twice a week for the next 8 weeks.
Overview
Symptoms
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj
Symptoms
Symptoms
If you are experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.
Symptoms of ringworm infection include:
Ring-like red rashes
Scaly, itchy, and inflamed skin
Itchy scalp
Patchy hair loss
Scaling patterns around the sole
Causes
Causes
Ringworm infection is a fungal infection caused by mould-like parasites that live on the cells in the outer layer of your skin. It can spread in the following ways:
Human to Human: Ringworm often spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
Animal to Human: Can be infected to Ringworm by touching an Animal with ringworm. Ringworm Can spread while petting or grooming dogs or cats and is also fairly common in cows.
Object to Human: Ringworm Can spread by the contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or Animal has recently touched or rubbed against, such as clothing, towels, bedding and linens, combs, and brushes.
Soil to Human: in rare cases, Ringworm Can be spread to humans by contact with infected soil. Infection would most likely occur only from prolonged contact with highly infected soil.
Prevention
Prevention
Ringworm can be prevented by maintaining proper hygiene and avoiding contact with animals.
Wash hands regularly
Clean and disinfect pets
Do not share personal items
Keep feet clean and dry
Complications
Complications
Ringworm infection is treatable. But if left untreated, it can result in rashes and itchy patches on skin. Cracks in skin can invite bacterial infection. Severe form of ringworm infection leads to oozing out from the skin.
Common treatment options
Diet recommendations
How is this diagnosed?
Causes
Risk Factors
Complications
Signs and symptoms of ringworm of the scalp may include: 1. One or more round, scaly or inflamed patches where the hair has broken off at or near the scalp 2. Patches that slowly get bigger and have small, black dots where the hair has broken off 3. Brittle or fragile hair that can …
32 hours ago
Gray patch ringworm: The organism Microsporum, which was the most common fungus in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s but now is a rare cause of ringworm of the scalp, causes gray patch ringworm. Today, it is much less common in North and Central America but continues to be the dominant cause of scalp ringworm in Southern and Eastern Europe.
29 hours ago
· Causes. Fungi called dermatophytes cause ringworm of the scalp. Fungi are organisms that thrive on dead tissue, such as fingernails, hair, and the outer layers of your skin. Dermatophytes prefer ...
28 hours ago
· It’s a skin infection that’s caused by mold like fungi that live on the dead tissues of your skin, hair, and nails. You can get it in any of these places -- and on …
17 hours ago
· Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus (not a worm). Ringworm on the scalp mainly affects children, particularly children of African or Caribbean origin. Treatment is with antifungal medication which you need to take for several weeks.
