A skin fungus that can spread via poorly sanitised combs or towels in ‘dirty’ barber shops could cause permanent hair loss, dermatologists have warned.
Cases of ringworm, which is spread through skin-to-skin contact, is said to be on the rise, according to recent reports from UK barbers, who say they are seeing telltale signs on customers’ heads.
Barbers believe the rise is due to more men opting for popular skin fade haircuts — when the sides are shaved short, and length is left on top — at ‘cheap, dirty, unqualified’ shops that use dirty tools to cut hair.
Common signs of the fungal infection include itchiness, a scaly ring-shaped area, scattering of bumps which range in colour from red on white skin to reddish, brown or grey on black skin.
But now experts have warned of another, lesser-known symptom of the infection: hair loss, caused by infected hairs that are brittle and break easily.
One dermatologist who has warned about the problem is Dr Emma Amoafo, who is based in London.
‘Sometimes the infection can progress to this painful boggy swelling, called a kerion tinea capitis,’ she told her 21,000 TikTok followers.
‘Tinea capitis usually needs to be treated with oral medication, the creams aren’t effective.
‘And it is important that treatment is started in a timely manner, because otherwise the hair loss can become scarring, and then it can be permanent.’
She also cautioned that tinea capitis can be transmitted between humans and animals, advising: ‘So if someone in your household gets diagnosed with tinea capitis, do check that any contacts don’t have it too.’
The condition needs to be treated with oral antifungal medication, obtained on prescription, and an antifungal shampoo, which is available over the counter from a pharmacy.
Hair expert
Experts urge people to avoid sharing hairbrushes, combs, hats, towels and pillowcases with other people if you have a ringworm infection.
Because fungus can live on hairbrushes and accessories, doctors advise cleaning these items or buying new ones to avoid a repeat infection, and avoiding visiting the hairdressers or barbers until the infection is clear.
Mike Taylor, who runs a barber training academy in Poole, Dorset said he had seen ‘loads of cases’ recently.
The barber, who has worked in the industry for 34 years, told the BBC he believes cheaper shops are failing to keep their equipment clean.
As well as causing itchy, red patches of skin on the scalp, in some cases the fungus can cause bald patches as infected hairs are brittle and break easily
Mike Taylor, who runs a barber training academy in Poole, Dorset said he had seen ‘loads of cases’ recently
He said: ‘I’d say 70 to 80 per cent of clients come in ask for skin fades.
‘To get that effect you’ve got to use the foil clipper, but the problem is it takes in hair and it needs to be thoroughly cleaned.’
He added: ‘The high street is depleting, it’s dying and then suddenly there’s 12 barber shops on the same street and they’re all trying to go a little bit cheaper than each other.
‘If the prices have to be knocked down then something else has to go and maybe it is all the time spent cleaning the equipment or the time spent getting the proper knowledge.
‘Sometimes the cheapest price isn’t always the best price.’
