Tinea, in all its forms, is a skin condition caused by a fungal infection, or fungal overgrowth, on the body. When the fungus grows on the body, it can cause red patches, rashes, lesions, or discoloration, as well as scaliness, itching, and discomfort.
While the itching can be uncomfortable, it is often the aesthetic impacts of the condition that are most bothersome. In addition to worrying about whether or not the rashes and discoloration caused by tinea will go away, one particularly common worry that many tinea sufferers have is whether the condition will cause hair loss.
Tinea Capitis
Indeed, one of the most common symptoms of tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp) is hair loss. This contagious fungal infection is particularly prevalent in children, presenting as patches of hair loss, as well as itchiness, scaliness, and redness on the infected areas of the scalp. In the most severe cases, the whole scalp could be affected, but tinea capitis is usually present in patches. If the fungal infection is not treated, there is a risk that the hair loss could become permanent; however, once treatment begins and bedding, towels, hats, and combs are washed thoroughly, regrowth of hair should be apparent. Sometimes, growth may be slow, but the hair should have regrown within 6 to 12 months.
Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris
Similarly, cases of ringworm elsewhere in the body can lead to hair loss. Just as tinea capitis can cause hair loss on the scalp, the scaling of the skin caused by tinea corporis (ringworm of the body) can lead to the thinning, patchiness, or complete loss of hair in the affected area. This is also the case with tinea cruris (commonly known as jock itch), which derives from the same dermatophytes; the lesions affecting the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks can ultimately cause similar thinning or loss of pubic hair. Just like tinea capitis, proper treatment and preventative measures are key to both regrowing hair and protecting the skin and hair from further fungal infections.
Tinea Versicolor
In the case of the related but slightly different condition, tinea versicolor, hair loss is also common. Unlike ringworm and other kinds of tinea, tinea versicolor is not contagious; instead, it is caused by the overgrowth of naturally occurring fungus on your body. This is usually caused by hot, humid conditions, hormonal changes, or a weakening of the immune system.
One study found that in approximately 60% of cases of the condition, sufferers experienced either hair thinning or hair loss in the affected area. The most common areas of hair loss were the arms, face, neck, and abdomen. This is not surprising since the strain of fungus that causes tinea versicolor often lives in the hair follicle. The good news? After successful treatment, regrowth should occur as the skin returns to normal.
Though it is possible to treat the condition and regrow hair fully in almost all cases, it is important to maintain good preventative practices to ensure that cases of tinea do not recur, causing the process to start all over again.
