Can family members contract tinea capitis (scalp ringworm)?

Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm) is always caused by fungal infection and is therefore contagious. If a family member has tinea capitis, appropriate preventive and control measures must be implemented.

Preventive Measures:

1. Items contaminated by the patient—including clothing, hats, pillows, and bedding—should undergo preventive disinfection via sun exposure, hot water immersion, boiling, or fumigation.

2. Contaminated hairdressing tools should be thoroughly cleaned using brushing, washing, and soaking.

3. Fungal-contaminated hair, scales, and crusts should be incinerated.

Additionally, collaboration between veterinarians and physicians is essential to prevent transmission from infected animals (e.g., household cats or dogs).

In daily life, minimize direct contact with the affected person’s scalp. Tinea capitis is not transmitted through food or general shared meals. Therefore, if a family member is diagnosed with tinea capitis, strict adherence to the above control measures is strongly recommended.