Home » Blog » Hair care » Can I get rid of hair fungus?

Can I get rid of hair fungus?

From seborrheic dermatitis to tinea capitis, hair fungus is more common than you might think. In fact, everyone has a small amount of yeast on their scalp. Hair fungus only becomes a problem when there is an overgrowth of yeast. Although usually harmless, fungal infections can be uncomfortable, frustrating and cause unpleasant symptoms.

In more serious cases, it can also lead to further complications including hair loss and undue stress. By understanding the causes of yeast overgrowth, however, you can soon restore the balance of yeast in your body and have healthy hair and a happy scalp once more.

Summary

1. What is hair fungus and what causes it?
2. What are the symptoms of hair fungus?
3. How to treat hair fungus
4. How to prevent fungal hair infections?
5. Conclusion

What is hair fungus and what causes it?

Simply put, fungal scalp infections are an overgrowth of yeast. While there are numerous types of yeast, the most common is candidiasis or candida. Candida is a natural part of our microbiome system and is usually harmless.

Candida becomes a problem when there is an imbalance within our bodies that compromises the good bacteria, leading to yeast overgrowth. These imbalances can occur for many reasons.

The most common include:

• High levels of stress
• Medications and antibiotics
• High sugar and high carb diets
• Harsh chemicals
• Injuries to the scalp
• Hormonal changes

Fungus thrives in moist, damp areas like the scalp and in hair shafts. While those in warmer climates may be more susceptible to hair fungus, it can affect everyone.

Should I be concerned about a fungal infection?

Although not usually a serious health concern, hair fungus has been known to cause serious complications in rare cases. One such complication occurs when fungus infiltrates the hair follicle and causes hair to become brittle.

In some cases, the hair can become so weak that the hair breaks frequently and leaves a bald patch of skin to reveal an inflamed, scaly patch that is prone to blistering. It is precisely for these circular marks on the skin that hair fungus earns the name scalp ringworm.

What are the symptoms of hair fungus?

The symptoms of hair fungus are different in men and women. In most cases, hair fungus appears as dandruff or as round, inflamed spots on the scalp. The fungus can either cover the entire head or appear in small sections.

How can I detect hair fungus?

If you are suffering from a fungal infection, you may experience mild or persistent itching along with dandruff or scaly spots on your scalp.

Other symptoms of hair fungus include:

• Round patches on the scalp
• White, flaky skin or scales
• Bleeding when brushing
• Weak strands of hair that is shorter than the rest

In some cases, fungal scalp infections can be accompanied by other common skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and even athlete’s foot.

How to treat hair fungus

For the most part, yeast infections clear up without treatment. If the symptoms do not ease off, however, hair fungus can be incredibly persistent, often lasting months, if not years! It can also spread to other parts of the body, causing complications including increased hair loss.

Nevertheless, hair fungus can be treated and eliminated for good. The best and most effective treatment for ringworm is implementing good hygiene standards with anti-fungal products such as shampoos and topical creams that can be purchased over the counter.

By keeping infected areas clean and dry, you will reduce the risk of developing a secondary bacterial infection. In more serious cases, dermatologists and medical professionals can give medical advice and prescribe over-the-counter anti-fungal tablets and medications to ease the symptoms and help clear up the infection.

Is hair fungus contagious?

As hair fungus is highly contagious, it can spread through direct contact with others. As well as spreading through close contact, fungal spores can contaminate shared objects such as combs, hats and hair accessories.

It can also reappear after treatments and so when treating fungal scalp infections, it is important to follow up with preventative measures to ensure ultimate hair and scalp health.

If you are suffering from symptoms of hair fungus, you can gain relief by applying a warm washcloth to the affected area to relieve the itching sensation.

How to prevent fungal hair infections

Preventing hair fungus is the most effective treatment against fungal infections. You can prevent fungal infections by implementing a great hair care routine that maintains hair health and scalp hygiene.

Use products that do not contain harsh chemicals but are instead rich with nourishing ingredients. Also avoid wearing headgear such as hats, hoods and hair accessories as much as possible to allow your scalp to breathe.

You can also implement a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and nutrients. As well as stimulating hair growth, a balanced diet will help to keep your scalp happy and healthy.

Other measures to reduce the risk of fungal infections include:

• Keep your scalp dry and clean
• Avoid sharing towels, combs, brushes, hats and hair accessories
• Regularly groom your pets – infected animals have known transmitters of fungal infections
• Wash your pillowcase and bedding on a regular basis

Conclusion

Fungus is normal – we all have fungus in and on our bodies. When the balance of yeast is disrupted, however, fungal infections can cause unpleasant and frustrating symptoms along with unnecessary stress.

You can maintain hair and scalp health by implementing a good haircare routine with nourishing, anti-fungal products alongside a healthy and balanced diet.

Do you have more questions or are you suffering from hair loss issues ? Then feel free to to contact our friendly team that will answer all your queries.

Furthermore they can also offer a free and non binding hair analysis. So don’t hesitate if you want to benefit from Dr. Balwi and Elithairtransplant’s expertise for a successful and affordable hair transplant in Turkey !

Share this post