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.
Ringworm of the scalp is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. The fungi grow well in warm, moist areas. A tinea infection is more likely if you: Have minor skin or scalp injuries.
Ringworm on the scalp (tinea capitis) usually needs to be treated with prescription antifungal medication taken by mouth for 1 to 3 months. Creams, lotions, or powders don't work for ringworm on the scalp.
If the ringworm is on your scalp, parts of it will feel tender or painful. Your hair might be brittle and fall out easily. You'll also have round, scaly patches of skin where your hair has broken off. The patches may be red.
Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis): This causes scaly, red, itchy bald spots on your scalp. If left untreated, the bald spots can grow bigger and become permanent.
The fungus that causes ringworm of the scalp spreads from person to person. You can catch ringworm by sharing hats, combs, brushes, towels, telephones, or sports equipment. You can also get it by touching a person with ringworm. Once in a while, it can also spread from a dog or cat to a person.
Ringworm won't go away on its own. Medicine and a special antifungal shampoo can cure it. Treatment should start early to prevent scarring or damage to the scalp.
Antifungal shampoo
A shampoo such as Nizoral or Head and Shoulders Intensive kills ringworm spores. Lather and leave it on your child's scalp for 10Â minutes before rinsing. Use the antifungal shampoo twice a week for 1 month. On other days, use a regular shampoo.
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. Tender or painful areas on the scalp.
Seizures and headaches are the most common symptoms. However, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, difficulty with balance, excess fluid around the brain (called hydrocephalus) may also occur. The disease can result in death.
Lice and other crawling parasites appear as tiny, slow moving crawlers on the hair and scalp. The result of infestation is a papular rash with extreme itching.
Fungal meningitis can develop after a fungal infection spreads from somewhere else in the body to the brain or spinal cord. Some causes of fungal meningitis include Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Blastomyces, Coccidioides, and Candida.
Head lice symptoms
The parasite Pediculus capitis causes head lice. Head lice symptoms include an itchy scalp and the presence of the parasite on the scalp, and its eggs on the hair shaft. An itchy, red bumpy rash can occur on the scalp and nape of the neck.
Ringworm often causes a ring-shaped rash that is itchy, scaly and slightly raised. The rings usually start small and then expand outward. Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) is a rash caused by a fungal infection. It's usually an itchy, circular rash with clearer skin in the middle.
The first sign of a ringworm infection in the groin is a red (brown or gray in dark skin) rash with swelling and itch in the crease where the leg meets the body.
Check if it's ringworm
The main symptom of ringworm is a rash. It may look red, silver or darker than surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone. The rash may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy. Ringworm can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp (tinea capitis) and groin (jock itch).
How Long Does Ringworm Last? Most mild cases of ringworm usually clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. But treatment might be needed for up to 3 months if the infection is more serious, or affects the nails or the scalp.
The fungus that causes ringworm thrives in warm, moist areas, so you want keep the area clean and dry. When cleaning the area with ringworm, wash the affected area(s) and dry it (them) with a clean towel. Use another clean towel to dry the other parts of your body.
A scalp yeast infection causes an itchy rash on your scalp. The rash may be red or purple and appear in patches of various shapes. The rash may crack and crusts may form. This crusting could cause hair loss.
Treatment for ringworm of the scalp requires a prescription-strength antifungal medication taken by mouth. The first-choice medication is usually griseofulvin (Gris-Peg). Alternatives might be used if griseofulvin isn't working or your child is allergic to it.
In the scalp, fungal infections often form circular, scaly, inflamed patches. Frequently, there can be temporary hair loss (hair returns when infection clears but if treatment is delayed and scarring results, permanent hair loss can be seen). This is a classical example of ringworm (tinea capitis) in a young child.
Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm) is uncommon after puberty. When it occurs in adults the clinical features may be atypical and this may delay the diagnosis.