BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuRingworm of the scalpFungal infection - scalp; Tinea of the scalp; Tinea - capitisRingworm of the scalp is a fungal infection that affects the scalp. It is also called tinea capitis.Related ringworm infections may be found:In a man's beard In the groin (jock itch) Jock itchJock itch is an infection of the groin area caused by a fungus. The medical term is tinea cruris or ringworm of the groin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Between the toes (athlete's foot) Athlete's footAthlete's foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other places on the skinOther places on the skinRingworm is a skin infection that is caused by fungi. It is also called tinea. Related skin fungus infections may appear:On the scalpIn a man's bear...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Fungi are germs that can live on the dead tissue of the hair, nails, and outer skin layers. 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 Do not bathe or wash your hair often Have wet skin for a long time (such as from sweating) Ringworm can spread quickly. It most often affects children and goes away at puberty. However, it can occur at any age.You can catch ringworm if you come into direct contact with an area of ringworm on someone else's body. You can also get it if you touch items such as combs, hats, or clothing that have been used by someone with ringworm. The infection can also be spread by pets, particularly cats. Symptoms Ringworm may involve part or all of the scalp. The affected areas:Are bald with small black dots due to hair that has broken off Have round, scaly areas of skin that are red or swollen (inflamed) May have pus-filled sores called kerions May be very itchy You may have a low-grade fever of around 100°F to 101°F (37.8°C to 38.3°C) or swollen lymph nodes in the neck.Ringworm may cause permanent hair loss and lasting scars. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will look at your scalp for signs of ringworm.You may also need the following tests:Examination of a skin scraping from the rash under a microscope using a special test Special testThe skin lesion KOH exam is a test to diagnose a fungal infection of the skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin culture for fungus CultureA skin or nail culture is a laboratory test to look for and identify germs that cause problems with the skin or nails. It is called a mucosal culture...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin biopsy (rarely needed)Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Your provider will prescribe medicine you take by mouth to treat ringworm on the scalp. You will need to take the medicine for 4 to 8 weeks.Steps you can do at home include:Keeping your scalp clean. Washing with a medicated shampoo, such as one that contains ketoconazole or selenium sulfide. Shampooing may slow or stop the spread of infection, but it does not get rid of ringworm.Other family members and pets should be examined and treated, if necessary.Other children in the home may want to use the shampoo 2 to 3 times a week for about 6 weeks. Adults only need to wash with the shampoo if they have signs of tinea capitis or ringworm.Once the shampoo has been started:Wash towels in hot, soapy water and dry them using the hottest heat recommended on the care label. This should be done each time the towels are used by someone who is infected. Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour a day in a mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Do this for 3 days in a row.No one in the home should share combs, hairbrushes, hats, towels, pillowcases, or helmets with other people. Outlook (Prognosis) It may be hard to get rid of ringworm. Also, the problem may come back after it is treated. In many cases, it gets better on its own after puberty. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of ringworm of the scalp and home care is not enough to get rid of the condition.Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Superficial fungal infections. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 13.Hay RJ. Dermatophytosis (ringworm) and other superficial mycoses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 266.Patterson JW. Mycoses and algal infections. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Limited; 2021:chap 26.AllVideoImagesTogRingworm of the scalp - illustration A fungal infection of the scalp by mold-like fungi is called tinea capitis. Tinea capitis (also called ringworm of the scalp) is a skin disorder that affects children almost exclusively. It can be persistent and very contagious. Symptoms may consist of itching, scaly, inflammed balding areas on the scalp. Oral antifungal medications are required to treat the infection.Ringworm of the scalpillustrationWood's lamp test - of the scalp - illustration A Wood's lamp is a light that uses long wave ultraviolet light. When an area of scalp that is infected with tinea (a type of ringworm fungus) is viewed under a Wood's light, the fungus may glow. This test may be done to detect the presence of a fungal scalp or skin infection.Wood's lamp test - of the scalpillustrationRingworm, tinea capitis - close-up - illustration 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.Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-upillustrationRingworm of the scalp - illustration A fungal infection of the scalp by mold-like fungi is called tinea capitis. Tinea capitis (also called ringworm of the scalp) is a skin disorder that affects children almost exclusively. It can be persistent and very contagious. Symptoms may consist of itching, scaly, inflammed balding areas on the scalp. Oral antifungal medications are required to treat the infection.Ringworm of the scalpillustrationWood's lamp test - of the scalp - illustration A Wood's lamp is a light that uses long wave ultraviolet light. When an area of scalp that is infected with tinea (a type of ringworm fungus) is viewed under a Wood's light, the fungus may glow. This test may be done to detect the presence of a fungal scalp or skin infection.Wood's lamp test - of the scalpillustrationRingworm, tinea capitis - close-up - illustration 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.Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-upillustrationRelated Information Ringworm(Condition) Review Date: 11/18/2022 Reviewed By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Ringworm of the scalpFungal infection - scalp; Tinea of the scalp; Tinea - capitisRingworm of the scalp is a fungal infection that affects the scalp. It is also called tinea capitis.Related ringworm infections may be found:In a man's beard In the groin (jock itch) Jock itchJock itch is an infection of the groin area caused by a fungus. The medical term is tinea cruris or ringworm of the groin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Between the toes (athlete's foot) Athlete's footAthlete's foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other places on the skinOther places on the skinRingworm is a skin infection that is caused by fungi. It is also called tinea. Related skin fungus infections may appear:On the scalpIn a man's bear...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Fungi are germs that can live on the dead tissue of the hair, nails, and outer skin layers. 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 Do not bathe or wash your hair often Have wet skin for a long time (such as from sweating) Ringworm can spread quickly. It most often affects children and goes away at puberty. However, it can occur at any age.You can catch ringworm if you come into direct contact with an area of ringworm on someone else's body. You can also get it if you touch items such as combs, hats, or clothing that have been used by someone with ringworm. The infection can also be spread by pets, particularly cats. Symptoms Ringworm may involve part or all of the scalp. The affected areas:Are bald with small black dots due to hair that has broken off Have round, scaly areas of skin that are red or swollen (inflamed) May have pus-filled sores called kerions May be very itchy You may have a low-grade fever of around 100°F to 101°F (37.8°C to 38.3°C) or swollen lymph nodes in the neck.Ringworm may cause permanent hair loss and lasting scars. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will look at your scalp for signs of ringworm.You may also need the following tests:Examination of a skin scraping from the rash under a microscope using a special test Special testThe skin lesion KOH exam is a test to diagnose a fungal infection of the skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin culture for fungus CultureA skin or nail culture is a laboratory test to look for and identify germs that cause problems with the skin or nails. It is called a mucosal culture...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin biopsy (rarely needed)Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Your provider will prescribe medicine you take by mouth to treat ringworm on the scalp. You will need to take the medicine for 4 to 8 weeks.Steps you can do at home include:Keeping your scalp clean. Washing with a medicated shampoo, such as one that contains ketoconazole or selenium sulfide. Shampooing may slow or stop the spread of infection, but it does not get rid of ringworm.Other family members and pets should be examined and treated, if necessary.Other children in the home may want to use the shampoo 2 to 3 times a week for about 6 weeks. Adults only need to wash with the shampoo if they have signs of tinea capitis or ringworm.Once the shampoo has been started:Wash towels in hot, soapy water and dry them using the hottest heat recommended on the care label. This should be done each time the towels are used by someone who is infected. Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour a day in a mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Do this for 3 days in a row.No one in the home should share combs, hairbrushes, hats, towels, pillowcases, or helmets with other people. Outlook (Prognosis) It may be hard to get rid of ringworm. Also, the problem may come back after it is treated. In many cases, it gets better on its own after puberty. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of ringworm of the scalp and home care is not enough to get rid of the condition.Open ReferencesReferencesDinulos JGH. Superficial fungal infections. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 13.Hay RJ. Dermatophytosis (ringworm) and other superficial mycoses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 266.Patterson JW. Mycoses and algal infections. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Limited; 2021:chap 26.