Dr. Antonio Alvi Armani

Hair loss due to ringworm

Hair loss due to ringworm is more common than you may think.  Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection that can infect anyone, and that occurs differently based on the part of the body that it infects.  The four different types of ringworm include the kind that affects the scalp, the kind that affects the nails, the kind that affects the feet, and the kind that affects any other part of the body (particularly the groin).  If ringworm of the scalp occurs, the symptoms will likely include partial, but temporary, hair loss.

The hair loss that accompanies ringworm of the scalp results from an infection that manifests itself on the scalp as a small pimple, which grows larger and leaves scaly patches of baldness.  The areas can be described as yellow, crusty areas and the infected hairs become brittle and break off, resulting in hair loss.  This type of ringworm is more likely to affect children from the ages of 4-14, though it can occur with adults.  It also is more likely to infect a child with a weakened immune system, such as those with AIDS, cancer or diabetes.

The other types of ringworm affect the other areas of the body in different ways.  Nails that have been infected with ringworm become thicker, brittle and discoloured.  They might also become chalky and disintegrate.  Ringworm of the feet is better known as athlete’s foot, which is characterized by the skin becoming scaly and cracked.  Finally, the ringworm that infects the rest of the body appears as a flat, round rash on the skin that is often itchy.  The rash will gradually expand, and the centre will become clear, creating a red ring.  This is where the term ‘ringworm’ comes from. 

Ringworm is spread in one of two ways: via direct contact with a person or pet, or through an object or surface that an infected person has come in contact with.  It is more likely to occur in overcrowded, urban areas.  It is caused by several different fungus organisms, all belonging to the group ‘Dermatophytes’.  The fungi that cause ringworm of the scalp live in humans and animals; the fungi that cause ringworm of the nail and feet only live in humans; and the fungi that cause ringworm of the body live in humans, animals and in the soil.  Symptoms of scalp ringworm generally appear in 10 to 14 days after contact, while symptoms of ringworm of the body usually appear 4 to 10 days after contact.

Treatment of ringworm can be taken either orally or as a topical cream that is applied directly to the infected area.  A failure to treat the infection, or inadequate treatment, can result in a chronic infection.  Ringworm is unfortunately very contagious and difficult to prevent.  However, preventative measures can include keeping common-use areas clean, and not sharing clothing, towels, hairbrushes or other personal items.

Thankfully, ringworm of the scalp only causes partial and temporary hair loss.  Nonetheless, precautious behaviour may save you from the unpleasant experience that accompanies any type of hair loss.