Fungal Infection of Hair & Scalp (Tinea Capitis / Scalp Ringworm)
What is Fungal Infection of Hair & Scalp (Tinea Capitis / Scalp Ringworm)
Fungal infection of the hair and scalp, commonly known as tinea capitis or scalp ringworm, is caused by dermatophyte fungi. It affects the scalp, hair shafts, and sometimes even eyebrows/eyelashes, leading to patchy hair loss, scaling, and itching.
Causes / Risk Factors
Fungi (dermatophytes) like Trichophyton and Microsporum species
Spread by:
- Direct contact with infected person or animal
- Sharing combs, towels, hats, or pillows
- Poor scalp hygiene
- Children are more prone than adults
- Warm, humid climates increase risk
Symptoms
- Round or irregular bald patches with broken hair stubs
- White or gray scaling on scalp (dandruff-like but patchy)
- Itching, redness, and sometimes pain
- Black dots (broken hair at surface)
- In severe cases: swelling, pus-filled lesions (kerion) with scarring
- Brittle, weak hair that breaks easily
Conventional Management:
- Antifungal medicines (oral griseofulvin, terbinafine)
- Antifungal shampoos (ketoconazole, selenium sulfide)
- Antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection if present
- Prognosis is good with treatment, but delayed care may cause scarring alopecia
Homeopathic Perspective
Homeopathy works very well for fungal scalp infections by:
- Controlling fungal activity naturally
- Relieving itching, burning, and scaling
- Promoting healthy regrowth of hair in affected areas
- Strengthening immunity to prevent recurrence
Common Homeopathic Medicines:
- Tellurium – Circular, ring-shaped patches with itching, offensive smell, scaling.
- Sepia – Itchy scalp with hair falling in patches; scalp sensitive to touch.
- Sulphur – Intense itching, scratching till bleeding, scalp unhealthy with eruptions.
- Arsenicum Album – Burning, redness, and hair fall with dry scaly scalp.
- Mezereum – Thick crusts on scalp with oozing, matting of hair, and intense itching.
- Calcarea Sulphurica – For pus-filled eruptions, kerion-like presentation.
Precautions & Lifestyle
- Avoid sharing combs, towels, or hairbrushes
- Wash scalp regularly and keep it dry
- Use mild natural hair cleansers
- Maintain good nutrition (zinc, iron, proteins, vitamins)
- Strengthen immunity (proper sleep, balanced diet)
- Children with infection should be treated early to prevent spread
With proper homeopathic treatment, fungal scalp infections respond beautifully — itching, scaling, and hair loss reduce, and healthy regrowth occurs. Homeopathy also reduces the recurrence tendency, unlike conventional antifungals which often see relapses.
