Increase in cases of ringworm infection in budget hairdressing salons

The Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology has issued a warning about the rise in cases of fungal infections of the head, in particular the so-called “ringworm”. This increase was observed mainly in teenagers, who often visit hair salons to get a haircut or shave. According to the academy, this phenomenon has emerged in the last two years and is associated with shaving fashion. The identified route of infection was razors that were not properly disinfected.

Ringworm of the scalp clinically manifests as areas of sudden alopecia accompanied by itching or flaking. In some cases, inflammation, drainage, pain and fever may also occur. To shed light on this rise in incidence, a group of dermatologists conducted a study based on their shared experiences from 2021. The causative agent in most cases was “trychophyton tonsurans”, which corresponds to the usual typology of ringworm of the scalp. This disease is considered highly contagious and primarily affects children from 6 months to 12 years of age, with a slight predominance of males.

Dermatologists suggest the link to an international trend may be contributing to the increase in cases. This trend involves visiting a hairdresser weekly to trim the hair in the occipital and temporal areas using a fade or shave. Contaminated shaving materials are likely being distributed among different clients in some salons that do not properly meet disinfection standards.

Care

Your doctor will prescribe a special medication to take by mouth to treat ringworm on the scalp. You will need the medicine for 4–8 weeks.

Steps you can take at home include:

• Keep your scalp clean.
• Wash with a medicated shampoo, such as one containing ketoconazole or selenium sulfide. Using shampoo may reduce or stop the infection from spreading, but it will not eliminate ringworm on its own.
• If necessary, other family members and pets should be examined and treated.
• Other children in the house may need to use shampoo 2–3 times a week for about 6 weeks.
• Adults should only shampoo their hair if they have signs of tinea capitis or tinea capitis.

After you have started using the shampoo:

• Wash towels in hot soapy water and dry on the highest temperature recommended on the label. This should be done every time they are used by an infected person.
• Soak combs and brushes daily for 1 hour in a mixture of 1 part bleach and 10 parts water. Do this 3 days in a row.
• No one in the house should share combs, brushes, hats, towels, pillowcases or helmets with other people.