How To Get Rid Of A Fungal Scalp Infection: Causes, Symptoms, And Natural Remedies

Has your scalp been itching constantly? Do you come across flaking skin and pus-filled boils whenever you feel your scalp? You probably have a fungal scalp infection.

When the dead skin cells combine with oil and pollutants, they create the perfect breeding ground for fungus. Such fungal infections are most often caused due to poor scalp hygiene, i.e., not washing your hair regularly. Using styling products and other harsh chemicals on your hair can worsen such infections.

To know a little more about a fungal scalp infection, its natural treatment options, and how to prevent it, read on.

Table Of Contents

• What Is A Fungal Scalp Infection?
• What Causes A Fungal Infection On The Scalp?
• Signs And Symptoms
• 8 Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of A Fungal Scalp Infection
• How To Prevent A Fungal Scalp Infection

What Is A Fungal Scalp Infection?

A scalp fungus infection, as the term suggests, is a fungal infection on the scalp. Certain types of harmless fungi exist on your skin. When provided with appropriate environmental conditions, these fungi can multiply and cause an infection.

Fungal infections can occur anywhere on or inside the body. But they are more common on the feet, fingernails, and scalp. Let’s take a look at the causes.

What Causes A Fungal Infection On The Scalp?

Candida is one of the most common types of fungus known to trigger infections. There are more than 20 species of Candida that have been identified. However, most Candida infections are caused by Candida albicans.

Some factors that can contribute to fungal growth on your skin and scalp are:

• Certain medical conditions
• An unhealthy diet
• Stress
• Presence of certain harsh chemicals in hair care products
• Lack of personal hygiene
• Cuts or injuries on the scalp
• Sharing towels or hairbrush with people who have fungus in the scalp

How do you know if you have a fungal scalp infection?

Signs And Symptoms

The common signs and symptoms of a fungal scalp infection are:

• A reddish or purplish rash on the scalp that may flake
• White flakes on the scalp that may also shed
• Pus-filled white or yellow boils on the scalp
• Soft, moist, and/or white patches on the scalp

Most fungal infections can be treated easily using over-the-counter treatments in the form of shampoos, foams, and ointments. But if you are looking for natural alternatives to treat the infection, the list below may help.

8 Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of A Fungal Scalp Infection

1. Apple Cider Vinegar
2. Lemon
3. Baking Soda
4. Neem Oil
5. Castor Oil
6. Tea Tree Essential Oil
7. Garlic
8. Coconut Oil

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties (1). These properties may help in getting rid of the fungi causing the infection.

You Will Need

• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar (ACV)
• 2 cups of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a cup of ACV to two cups of water.
2. Rinse your hair with this solution.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2-3 times a week.

2. Lemon

Lemons are citrus fruits with antimicrobial activities that may help treat a fungal scalp infection (2).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to a cup of water.
2. Mix well and rinse your scalp with this mixture before you take a shower. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
3. Go about your regular shower routine.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2-3 times a week.

Caution: Lemon has astringent properties that can dry out your scalp. Therefore, use it in the recommended quantity.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate as it is popularly known, exhibits antifungal activity (3). Hence, it may help in treating scalp fungus.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a cup of water.
2. Mix well and add the solution to your shampoo.
3. Massage it into your scalp for a few minutes.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this multiple times a week.

4. Neem Oil

Neem oil exhibits antifungal activity due to the presence of niminol (4). This can help in dealing with a fungal scalp infection.

You Will Need

• 2 teaspoons of neem oil
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Add two teaspoons of neem oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil.
2. Mix well and apply it to your scalp and hair.
3. Leave it on for at least 30-60 minutes before rinsing it off with a mild shampoo.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 2-3 times a week.

5. Castor Oil

Castor oil contains ricinoleate, which imparts powerful antifungal properties to it and can help you get rid of the fungi causing the infection (5).

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed castor oil
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Mix a tablespoon each of cold-pressed castor oil and coconut oil.
2. Apply the mixture to the scalp. Spread the remaining oil onto the rest of your hair.
3. Leave it on for 30 minutes or more.
4. Rinse your hair with a mild shampoo and condition it.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 1-2 times a week.

6. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree oil exhibits antifungal actions and has membrane-altering effects on fungi (6).

You Will Need

• 3-4 drops of tea tree oil
• 1-2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil

What You Have To Do

1. Add two to three drops of tea tree oil to one to two tablespoons of sweet almond oil.
2. Mix well and apply it to your scalp and hair.
3. Leave it on for 30-60 minutes and rinse it off with a mild cleanser.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this at least twice a week.

Caution: Tea tree oil is extremely potent. Hence, use in the recommended quantity and after diluting with a carrier oil.

7. Garlic

Garlic possesses significant inhibitory effects against fungi, which may be effective in treating a fungal scalp infection (7). These properties may help in getting rid of the fungi causing the infection.

You Will Need

• 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic
• 2 tablespoons of coconut or olive oil

What You Have To Do

1. Crush two to three cloves of peeled garlic.
2. Add the crushed garlic to two tablespoons of coconut/olive oil and heat it for 1-2 minutes.
3. Strain the oil out.
4. Apply the oil to the scalp and hair.
5. Leave it on for 1-2 hours before rinsing it off with a mild shampoo.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 1-2 times a week.

Caution: Garlic may burn your scalp if left on for a long period. Do a patch test before using this remedy.

8. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil exhibits excellent antifungal activities and is also one of the best oils for healthy hair growth (8). These properties may help in getting rid of the fungi causing the infection.

You Will Need

1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Massage coconut oil gently into your scalp. Leave it on for 1-2 hours.
2. Rinse it off with a mild cleanser and condition your hair.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this at least once a week.

These remedies can help you in getting rid of the fungal infection in your scalp. But you may also have to make a few lifestyle changes to prevent the recurrence of the infection. The following prevention tips may help.

How To Prevent A Fungal Scalp Infection

• Bathe regularly and practice healthy hygiene.
• Keep your scalp dry and clean.
• Follow a well-balanced and healthy diet.
• Limit your intake of starchy and sugary foods.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Do not go overboard with antibiotics and steroids.
• Allow your scalp to breathe by limiting the use of hats, caps, or scarves.

While scalp infections are quite common, they are also easily treatable. Following the remedies discussed above regularly and taking the required precautions can not only treat the infection but also prevent its recurrence.

However, if you are dealing with a severe fungal infection, such as ringworm, it is best to get yourself treated by a medical professional to prevent further complications like hair loss. In such situations, you can use the above remedies to assist the ongoing medical treatments.

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

Can candida cause hair loss?

Yes. If you are dealing with a fungal scalp infection, your scalp might have accumulated a lot of dead skin cells and flakes. Scratching the affected area frequently or using drying hair products on it can cause some hair loss.

What kind of shampoo should you use for hair fungus?

Medicated over-the-counter antifungal shampoos can prevent the spread of hair fungus. However, if you are looking for natural alternatives, any of the above remedies will do the trick.

Is dandruff a fungus?

Dr.K.Harish Kumar, MD, DVL, says that while dandruff itself is not a fungus, it is caused by a naturally-occurring fungus called Malassezia globosa.

How to grow your hair back after a scalp fungal infection?

Some fungal scalp infections can cause an increase in hair fall. However, after successful treatment, your hair should grow back in 6-12 months.

My hair smells when wet. Is this a fungus?

If your hair always smells when wet, it is most probably due to the presence of a fungus called mildew. When the hair is left damp and tied for extended periods, it can lead to the development of mildew. Sweating excessively can also cause this fungal growth.

Should I completely shave my head to get rid of dandruff? Will it help fight against the fungus problem?

No, shaving your hair will not help dandruff. Instead, if your oil and wash your hair more regularly and follow the remedies discussed above religiously, you will notice fungal scalp infections like dandruff disappearing.

When to see a doctor for a fungal scalp infection?

According to Dr. K. Harsish Kumar, MD, DVL, you need to see a doctor immediately if:

• The scalp appears unusually colored or scaly.
• You notice hair loss in patches.
• The scalp itches and/or bleeds.

What is the difference between ringworm of the scalp and a scalp yeast infection?

Both ringworm and yeast infections are fungal growths that can occur on the scalp. While a scalp yeast infection may cause an increase in hair loss due to the accumulating dead skin cells on the scalp, ringworm may result in itchy and scaly round patches in the scalp with some bald spots. Other symptoms of both these fungal infections are almost the same – like a flaky, itchy, or discolored scalp.