Mold Doesn’t Grow on Your Hair – But These Fungi May

Why do people get fungi in their hair?

There are many results for a search of “moldy hair.”

Many of these results are from websites that sell hair products that are supposed to target hair mold.

There’s no evidence that mold can grow on human hair. And despite the claims of some websites, your hair doesn’t smell when wet because of mold. But some other fungal infections of the scalp like seborrheic dermatitis may contribute to an odor.

What other fungi may affect your scalp and hair?

A number of yeast infections can grow on your hair or on your head.

• Tinea capitis. Tinea capitis, also called ringworm of the scalp, is a common scalp infection caused by yeast overgrowth.
• Trichophyton tonsurans. The yeast Trichophyton tonsurans causes roughly 95 percent of yeast overgrowth cases in the United States.
• Malassezia. An overgrowth of Malassezia yeast can cause seborrheic dermatitis and lead to dandruff.
• Black piedra. This fungal infection of your hair shafts, also known as Trichomycosis nodosa, is characterized by black growths. It’s most common in tropical regions, particularly in people with poor scalp hygiene and long hair.
• White piedra. Similar to black piedra, white piedra causes white growths.

Rarely, mold spores can enter your body through cuts in your skin and cause a serious infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This condition is known as cutaneous mucormycosis. It’s a life threatening disease that’s most common in people who are immunocompromised.

A surveillance study on the presence of mycotic infections was conducted in three California counties in the San Francisco Bay area between 1992 and 1993. Results showed the mucormycosis occurrence rate to be about 1.7 out of every 1 million people.

How can you prevent fungal growth in your hair?

You don’t need to worry about mold growing in your hair, but you can take steps to prevent scalp yeast infections. Yeasts usually thrive in warm and moist environments. You can lower the chance of transferring the infection-causing yeast by:

• avoiding going to bed with wet hair
• After exercising and drying your hair, you should shower.
• It is a good idea to avoid touching your hair.
• To dry the area, use a different towel.
• Avoid contact with pets that are suspected of having ringworm.
• Sharing personal items with people with ringworm is not advisable.

You can prevent piedra by following good personal hygiene habits, especially if you live in a hot and humid climate and have long hair.

What are common risk factors for developing fungi in your hair?

Scalp ringworm is more common in children than adults. The peak age range for diagnosis is between ages 3 and 14 years. Children who attend day care or visit other places where they encounter other children increase their chances of contracting the fungus.

Some yeast infections, like Candida albicans, are most common in people who have a weakened (compromised) immune system.

People with diabetes that is not well managed and other conditions that compromise their immune system are more likely to haveaneous mucormycotic.

Piedra is most common in people living or traveling to areas with hot and humid climates.

What are the symptoms of fungi growth in your hair?

There are no known signs of mold on hair.

Black piedra is characterized by black growths on your hair that range from microscopic to 1 millimeter in diameter. Hair often becomes weak and breaks around the infection. White piedra causes white to tan growths.

There are symptoms of a cutaneous mucormycosis infection, which is when mold gets into a cut on the head.

• blisters or ulcers
• The skin is black around the area.
• It is a pain.
• Warm
• redness
• swelling

Ringworm infections of your hair may cause more than one problem.

• There are patches of hair that are not normal.
• Bald patches get bigger.
• brittle or fragile hair
• tenderness or It is a pain. on the scalp

Dandruff and red, itchy skin can be caused by sberrheic dermatitis.

How is fungal growth in the hair diagnosed?

A doctor may be able to diagnose some yeast infections by examining your skin and considering your symptoms. They can use a special light known as a Wood’s lamp to check for infection.

Many types of infections can have the same symptoms, so they may want to take a hair or skin sample for analysis. The lab will look for the presence of the fungi.

What’s the treatment for fungal growth in the hair?

Treatment for a fungal infection on your hair depends on the underlying cause.

Scalp ringworm

Scalp ringworm usually needs to be treated with prescription antifungal creams, lotions, or powders for 1 to 3 months, according to the CDC.

Treatment options include:

• fluconazole
• griseofulvin
• Itraconazole is a drug.
• terbinafine is a drug.

Piedra

Shaving your head is the most effective way to get rid of piedra. If you don’t want to shave your head, antifungal creams or shampoos such as 2 percent ketoconazole or 2 percent miconazole applied weekly for 3 weeks may be effective.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis can be treated with prescription-strength shampoos that contain ingredients such as hydrocortisone or fluocinolone. Antifungal medications or other treatments such as light therapy may also help.

Cutaneous mucormycotic

Prompt medical attention is needed for aneous mucormycotic. Treatment may include the removal of damaged tissue.

Scalp yeast infection

scop yeast infections can be treated with a medicated shampoos or a antifungal medication. Infections may be included in the treatment for individual yeast.

• Scalp ringworm. Generally, recovery from this infection has a good outlook when treated appropriately. Not taking medications as prescribed can be a common reason for treatment failure.
• Adult seborrheic dermatitis. Adult seborrheic dermatitis is generally very manageable but not curable.
• Piedra. With treatment, most people with piedra recover fully and regain all their hair.
• Cutaneous mucormycotic. Cutaneous mucormycotic is a life threatening disease that requires prompt diagnosis. It’s seen more often in people with diabetes that’s not well managed — or poorly managed — and in individuals with other conditions that can weaken their immune system.
• The above link requires a purchase or membership in order to access the document.
• Possibly replace with: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC552454
• The mortality info could be replaced with other information.
• The overall mortality of all mucormycosis variants has improved from 84% in the 1950s to 47% in the 1990s, mostly because of treatment with AmB. The overall mortality of cutaneous mucormycosis is less than other presentations of mucormycosis, and in three case series it ranged from 25% to 31%. In localized cutaneous mucormycosis, mortality ranged from 4% to 10%, and in deep extension presentations, it ranged from 26% to 43%. In the largest case series, the mortality rate for disseminated disease was 83%;¹ however, in recent reports it ranges from 26% to 50%.
• I found all the versions of the stat to be confusing. I think it is good to say that it can be life threatening.
• CE DSJ 4/26/22: Hi, Debbie. Good idea. And the source is available for those who may want to take a closer look at the study results.

The bottom line

There is no scientific evidence that mold grows on human hair, even if people are searching online for ways to remove mold from their hair.

Piedra or yeasts can grow on your hair or on your scalp. A doctor can diagnose and recommend a treatment plan for these fungi, which can be managed at home.