Common fungal infections affecting the skin, mucous membranes and other internal organs concern a lot of people. In fact, this could also affect the hair and scalp.

This infection is caused by microscopic fungi (there are about 100,000 types of fungus). Infection takes effect only by direct contact with an infected person, animal or even from clothes and shared products.
 

Weak Immune System

A dangerous effect of being affected with this infection weakens the human body’s immune system leading to an imbalance in the ability of the human body to produce antibodies such as natural microflora. An affected person should later on have to deal with medications such as long term antibiotic treatments, chemotherapies, corticosteroid drugs, blood sugar, and organ transplant or could also be prone to AIDS infection.
 

Beware of Animals

After contact with animals, microscopic fungi can be transferred in the form of spores and fibers that settle in the keratin that later on would affect the hair and scalp. Most common types of infection affecting the hair and scalp are Tricophyton (Trichophyton rubrum, tonsurans, mentagrophytes etc.) and Microsporum (Microsporum canis). As mentioned above, Infection takes effect with direct contact from an infected person or animal. Therefore, it is also very important to check our pets for fungal infections.  
 

Skin Fungi

Fungal infections affecting the head and hair are usually skin fungal infections. It is usually rounded, swollen with indicative boundaries and scaling. The colors usually range from the shade of reddish-pink to reddish-brown which is more saturated from the outer part. Hair growth on infected areas has less luster and the scalp is slightly elevated. More often it is itchy, leading to complications or even exposure to bacteria.
 

Deep Skin Fungi

Rare cases of infections on the scalp but are more severe. Usually, they are in the form of small freckles on skin pores and later spreads out until it reaches the hair fibers coupled with hard disk shape forms over the skin like a ringworm where it is affected with inflammatory complications, hair fall and skin atrophy. Long-term negative result is eventual hair-loss or alopecia on affected areas.
 

Combined Treatment

Medication is necessary by a combination of topical and general antifungal agents (ketoconazole, terbinafin, and griseofulvin). It is also highly recommended to depilate hairs on those affected areas.
 

Fungi and Dandruff

Certain fungi from yeasts cause hair dandruff, one of which is Pityrosporon. It would be more suitable to use special shampoos with specific substances (such as pirocton olamine and ketoconazole) or generic (such as tar and salicylic acid) antifungal agents.