Yeast, mold, mildew, and mushroom are all fungi. Some fungal infections of the scalp can lead to hair loss. Ringworm, called tinea capitis by doctors, is a common fungal infection of the scalp that if untreated may just go away, or may lead to hair loss. Oral griseofulvin, a powerful prescription anti-fungal medication, and the use of a selenium sulfide shampoo, combine to make a common treatment program for ringworm. Lice lay their eggs on hair and feed on blood from the scalp.
Lice cause itching, scratching, and open wounds that easily become infected.
This can lead to hair loss. Lice infestations are treated with prescription insecticide shampoos that are designed to kill both the adult lice and their egg cases, called nits. Many skin diseases without known causes that include hair loss among their symptoms are suspected to be immune-system related. Steroids are a type of hormone, called corticosteroids by doctors because they are made by the cortex of the adrenal gland. Steroids, like other hormones, regulate body functions.