Tinea capitis (fungal scalp) infections can have crusts, scale, and cause hair loss. Tinea capitis (a fungal scalp infection) typically has round areas of hair loss with scaling and redness of the scalp. This image displays widespread areas of tinea capitis. Tinea capitis (ringworm) can cause thick, white, scaly areas within the scalp. This image displays round, scaly, slightly elevated areas on the scalp typical of tinea capitis.
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Ringworm, Scalp (Tinea Capitis)  A parent's guide for infants and babies

Picture of Ringworm, Scalp (Tinea Capitis): Tinea capitis (fungal scalp) infections can have crusts, scale, and cause hair loss. Divider line
Tinea capitis (fungal scalp) infections can have crusts, scale, and cause hair loss.
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Signs and Symptoms
The most common locations for scalp ringworm include:
  • Scalp
  • Eyebrow (rare)
  • Eyelashes (very rare)
Scalp ringworm appears as one or more round to oval areas covered with gray sheets of skin (scale) and is often accompanied by hair loss. The patches may be red and inflamed, and small pus-filled bumps (pustules) may appear. Also, tiny black dots may appear on the surface of the scalp, consisting of broken hairs.

Certain areas (lymph nodes) at the back of the scalp, behind the ears, or along the sides of the neck may be swollen.

One complication of scalp ringworm is a kerion, a large, oozing, pus-filled lump. If not treated aggressively, a kerion can lead to scarring and permanent hair loss.

Scalp ringworm is usually itchy.
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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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