Page Header Page Content Page Footer
Enable Javascript
  • Part of the P&G family
  • Pantene
  • Herbal Essences
  • Aussie
  • Olay
USA - English
Please select a location
  • North America
  • USA - English
  • USA - Español
  • Canada - English
  • Canada - Français
  • Latin America
  • Español
  • Português
  • Asia
  • 中文
  • India - English
  • Indonesia - Bahasa Indonesia
  • 日本語
  • Pakistan - English
  • Philippines - English
  • ไทย
  • Tiếng Việt
  • Australia & New Zealand - English
  • Europe
  • English
  • Deutsch
  • Français
  • русский
  • Italiano
  • Español
  • Nederlands
  • Polska
  • Português
  • Limba Română
  • Vlaams
  • Middle East
  • الجزائر
  • Français
  • English
  • עברי
  • Türkçe
  • South Africa - English
Contact Us
Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo
Go
  • Shop Products
    • Daily Scalp &
      Hair Care
      • Daily Scalp and Hair Care
      • Shop by Person
    • For Him
      • Products for Men
      • Shop by Hair Concern
    • For Her
      • Products for Women
      • Shop by Hair Concern
    • Royal Oils
      • Royal Oils Collection
      • Shop by Scalp Concern
    • Shop by Type
      • Dandruff Shampoo
      • Dandruff 2-in-1
      • Dandruff Conditioner
      • Dandruff Treatment
    • View All Products
  • SCALP CARE
    • Dandruff
      • Dandruff
      • See All Articles
    • Itchy, Dry & Sensitive Scalp
      • See All Articles
    • Severe Scalp Conditions
      • See All Articles
  • Hair
    • Hair Care
      • Hair Care
      • See All Articles
    • For Her
      • Hair Care
      • Learn More
    • For Him
      • Hair Care
      • Learn More
  • What's New
  • About
  • Home |
  • Healthy Hair & Scalp |
  • Severe Scalp Conditions |
  • Symptom checker: tinea capitis or dandruff?
Print This

SYMPTOM CHECKER: TINEA CAPITIS OR DANDRUFF?

Recommended 2 Times Recommend This
Share fb_icon_article twitter

YOU'RE NOW LEAVING HEADANDSHOULDERS.COM

We recommend you to review the third-party site’s privacy policy, as their privacy practices may differ from P&G.

Any personal information you provide on the third-party’s website will be managed in accordance with their privacy policy.

Share on

EMAIL THISmail

Share This By E-Mail

SYMPTOM CHECKER: TINEA CAPITIS OR DANDRUFF?

There are # error(s) on this page.
Email Service Unavailable
   
   
   
   
Send
CANCEL

E-MAIL SENT SUCCESSFULLY

Your email has been successfully sent to the recipent.

Continue

Dandruff and tinea capitis share many common traits, but they are very different conditions. Our guide helps you spot the difference.

Itchy scalp, scaly irritated skin, inflammation on the head. These symptoms describe both dandruff and tinea capitis.

But as much as they are alike, there is a lot that separates them.

What is dandruff?

Dandruff is caused by the Malassezia globosa fungus. This yeast-like fungus is present on all of our bodies, living atop the skin and doing nothing more harmful than consuming the natural oils from our skin.

Unfortunately, one of the by-products of Malassezia globosa’s diet is oleic acid. A large portion of the human population is sensitive to oleic acid, so its presence triggers symptoms that include:

  • itching
  • dry flakes in the hair and on the scalp
  • a red, irritated scalp

Happily, treating dandruff isn’t too hard. Using a dandruff shampoo regularly – ideally every wash, but at least twice a week- is all it takes to fight dandruff and keep it away in the future.

What is tinea capitis?

Tinea capitis, on the other hand, is not so forgiving. Like dandruff, tinea capitis is caused by a fungus – in this case, it’s a mold-like fungus from the dermatophyte family.

Unlike Malassezia globosa, tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the top layer of skin, and can be contracted through contact with others suffering from the problem. This includes other people, animals, or even objects that have come into contact with those suffering from it.

The symptoms of the condition include:

  • bald spot(s), with black dots where hair has broken off
  • round areas of scaly skin that become red and inflamed
  • tender and painful areas on your scalp
  • itchy scalp and hair loss

Clearly, this condition can be a bit more severe than dandruff, and the treatment reflects that.

Treating tinea capitis

If you’re not sure whether you have dandruff or tinea capitis, your best bet is really to go straight to the doctor.

The reason for this is that tinea capitis, left unchecked, can become a truly unpleasant condition. While you can use a dandruff shampoo for two weeks to first rule out dandruff, it’s better to first rule out tinea capitis if you think it might be a possibility.

If it turns out you do have tinea capitis, your doctor will be able to prescribe oral anti-fungal medication to kill the infection. They’ll also be able to give you an anti-fungal shampoo. While this won’t kill the fungus on its own, it will help stop the spread of the infection.

Related Products

  • Classic Clean Shampoo
    Quick View

    Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

    Rating Stars Off
    Rating Stars On
    ( 227 )
    $1.99-$9.99 MSRP
    Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
  • Classic Clean Conditioner
    Quick View

    Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Conditioner

    Rating Stars Off
    Rating Stars On
    ( 232 )
    $5.99 MSRP
    Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
  • Classic Clean 2-in-1
    Quick View

    Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff 2in1

    Rating Stars Off
    Rating Stars On
    ( 724 )
    $3.79-$9.99 MSRP
    Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

Related Articles

Tinea Capitis – What Is It?

Itchy Head – Is it Dandruff?

Other scalp conditions

  • Connect With Us
  • Connect with us on Instagram
  • Connect with us on YouTube
  • Connect with us on Facebook
  • Connect with us on Twitter
  • Shop Products
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • 2-in-1
  • Treatment
  • Shop All Products
  • About
  • About H&S
  • Sustainability
  • FAQ
  • Seborrheic Dermatitis
  • Itchy Scalp
  • Coupons & Offers
  • Head & Shoulders Coupons
  • HELP & SUPPORT
  • Contact Us
  • Smart Label For ingredients and more, select a product.
  • Collections
  • Men Styling
  • Supreme
  • Classic Clean
  • Full & Thick
  • Dry Scalp Care
  • Moisture Care
  • Green Apple
  • Ocean Lift
  • Instant Oil Control
  • Old Spice
  • Instant Relief
  • Purely Gentle
  • Instant Fresh
  • Refresh
  • Instant Hydration
  • Smooth & Silky
  • Clinical Strength
  • Nourishing Hair & Scalp Care
  • Itchy Scalp Care
  • Related P&G Products:
  • Pantene
  • |
  • Herbal Essences
  • |
  • Aussie
  • |
  • Olay
    • BBB
  • Privacy
  • CA Privacy
  • Site Map
  • AdChoices ad choice
  • Terms & Conditions
  • © 2021 Procter & Gamble
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Scalp AnalysisArrow
Scalp analysis
Sunday Haircare Routine