Hair falling out in the shower? Experts warn this could be due to common infections that are on the rise

A skin fungus that can spread through poorly cleaned combs or towels in ‘dirty’ hairdressing salons can cause permanent hair loss, dermatologists warn.

Cases of ringworm, which is spread through skin-to-skin contact, are believed to be increasing, according to recent reports from British hairdressers, who say they are seeing telltale signs on clients’ heads.

Hairdressers believe the rise is due to more men opting for popular skin-fade haircuts – which involve shaving the sides short and leaving the length on top – at ‘cheap, dirty, unqualified’ shops that use dirty tools to to cut hair.

Common symptoms of the fungal infection include itching, a scaly ring-shaped area, and scattered bumps that range in color from red on white skin to reddish, brown, or gray 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 lives in London.

“Sometimes the infection can develop into a painful, boggy swelling called kerion tinea capitis,” she told her 21,000 people. TikTok followers.

‘Tinea capitis usually needs to be treated with oral medications, the creams are not effective.

‘And it is important that treatment is started in a timely manner, because otherwise the hair loss can become scars, and then it can be permanent.’

She also warned that tinea capitis can be passed between humans and animals, advising: ‘So if someone in your household is diagnosed with tinea capitis, check that any contacts don’t have it either.’

The condition should be treated with oral antifungal medications, available by prescription, and an antifungal shampoo, available without a prescription 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 fungi can live on hairbrushes and accessories, doctors recommend cleaning these items or purchasing new ones to prevent recurrence of the infection, and avoiding a visit to the hairdresser or barber until the infection is clear.

Mike Taylor, who runs a hairdressing academy in Poole, Dorset, said he had seen ‘a lot of business’ recently.

The hairdresser, who has been working in the industry for 34 years, told the BBC he believes that cheaper stores fail to keep their equipment clean.

The fungus not only causes itchy, red patches of skin on the scalp, but in some cases it can also cause bald patches because infected hairs are brittle and break easily.

Mike Taylor, who runs a hairdressing training course in Poole, Dorset, said he had recently seen ‘loads of cases’

He said: ‘I would say 70 to 80 per cent of the customers who come in are asking for skin fades.

‘To achieve that effect you have to use the foil cutter, but the problem is that it sucks in hair and needs to be cleaned thoroughly.’

He added: ‘The high streets are getting exhausted, dying out and then suddenly there are twelve hairdressers on the same street and they’re all trying to get a little bit cheaper than each other.

‘If prices have to be reduced, something else has to be done and perhaps it is the time spent cleaning the equipment or the time spent acquiring the right knowledge.

‘Sometimes the cheapest price is not always the best price.’