Tinea capitis Tinea capitis, or ringworm, is a fungal skin infection that can cause a patchy form of hair loss when the scalp is infected. A ringworm scalp infection results in hairs breaking off at the surface of the scalp. There may be redness, flaking, scaling, swelling, and even oozing at the affected areas on the scalp. And there is often itching and pain as well. Severe cases of ringworm may lead to swollen glands in the neck or back of the head.
Ringworm is a contagious form of hair loss, most common in children.
It is spread by contact, such as sharing brushes, towels, and hats, and is commonly spread from child to child at daycare centers or schools. Some strains of tinea capitis can also be contracted from pets, particularly cats. Fortunately, this infection is curable with oral antifungal medication, and it is important that all affected family members, classmates, and pets be treated to prevent reinfection. Alopecia areata Alopecia areata appears as discrete, smooth, round patches of hair loss about the size of a coin or larger. There may be one or several of these coin-sized patches of hair loss.