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Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Scalp Fungus & Prevention Tips

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Skip harsh shampoos or ointments and try some natural solutions to ward off the fungal infection.

If your scalp has been itching uncontrollably with flaking skin and pus-filled boils, you may want to get yourself checked for scalp fungus.The dead skin cells of your scalp may lead to the build-up of dirt and debris when they combine with oil and pollutants.

These not only clog your hair follicles, leading to folliculitis, but also cause fungal infections.

Lack of proper hair hygiene, infrequent washing, excess oiling or combing your hair regularly, or using harsh chemicals and dyes on your hair can increase the risk of a fungal scalp infection.

Continue reading to learn more about fungal scalp infections and some natural home treatments for the same.

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.

Scalp fungal inflammation weakens the hair and could lead to hair breakage and partial alopecia or hair loss patches. 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.

More than 1000 people in the US seem to die every year due to candida infection. According to the data, approximately 5,389 deaths have occurred due to this fungal infection in the United States during 2018–2021.

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

Learn about the common types of fungus that may affect your scalp

Types Of Fungus On Your Scalp

Microsporum

It is a group of fungi that causes tinea capitis, a type of fungal infection of the scalp (1). This fungus can penetrate the sheath of the roots in the hair follicle and get into the hair shaft.

Tinea capitis can be inflammatory and non-inflammatory, and may even lead to hair loss.

Malassezia

It is a type of yeast that naturally occurs on the skin, including the scalp. It causes skin issues such as seborrheic dermatitis (also called dandruff when it occurs on the scalp), pityriasis versicolor, and Malassezia folliculitis (2).

You can treat it with antifungal and anti-inflammatory medicines recommended by a dermatologist.

Trichophyton

It is a common cause of fungal skin infections, including conditions like athlete’s foot, ringworm, and tinea capitis (scalp ringworm). Trichophyton infections typically manifest as itchy, red, and scaly skin rashes (1).

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
  1. Castor Oil
  2.  Tea Tree Essential Oil
  3. Garlic
  4. Coconut Oil

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties (3). 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. 

Lemon

Lemons are citrus fruits with antimicrobial activities that may help treat a fungal scalp infection (4).

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

(5). 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 nimonol (6). 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 (7). 

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.