Beard Hair Loss Fungus: What You Need to Know About Beard Loss

When you think of hair loss, you might first think of losing the hair on your scalp. That’s not the only place people lose hair, though – many men experience beard hair loss, which can be devastating, especially in those who are used to having a full beard. It can cause some serious insecurity issues.

Naturally, men who lose hair from the beard want to pinpoint the cause as quickly as possible. One potential reason for beard hair loss is fungus. Typically, beard hair loss fungus is also accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, such as itchiness and redness.

What is Fungus?

So, what exactly is fungus? Simply put, fungus is a type of organism. Mushrooms and yeasts are a type of fungi, but you can also get fungus growing on the skin, which is what creates fungal infections. These can affect many areas of the body, including the face and beard.

Does Fungus Cause Beard Loss?

Yes – in some cases, a fungal infection on the face can cause beard hair loss. The reason this happens is because the infection penetrates the hair shafts and causes breakage, often leading to patchy bald patches in the beard. Here are some fungal infections that can cause this:

• Tinea Barbae

Tinea barbae – also known as beard ringworm –  is a type of fungal infection that affects both the skin and the hair, which is why it can affect the beard quite severely. It’s extremely rare, though, with there only being 150 known cases of the infection since 1842. [1] So, if you have what seems to be a fungal infection of the beard, it’s unlikely it’s due to tinea barbae, but you can always get a medical professional’s opinion to be sure.

• Yeast Infections

Unlike Tinea Barbae, yeast infections are very common. Many yeast infections are vaginal, but you can also get a yeast infection that targets the face and beard area. These are caused by the overgrowth of Candida and can be easily treated with an over-the-counter medication.

• Dandruff

While dandruff itself is not a fungus, the presence of dandruff is caused by the presence of a type of fungus called Malassezia, so it falls into the fungal infection category (loosely). It’s pretty easy to spot dandruff as one of the main symptoms of flakiness around the hairs, either on the scalp or the beard. Treatment usually involves an anti-dandruff shampoo.

• Beard Piedra

Beard Piedra is rare, but it’s worth mentioning, just like tinea barbae. It is usually referred to as white Piedra and is an uncommon yeast infection that only affects the hair – including the beard. The symptoms lead to damaged hair, which can lead to hair loss. You’ll also find small clusters or white dots in the hair, which is easy to mistake for dandruff.

• How to Spot Beard Fungus

While there are a couple of different types of beard fungus – as demonstrated above – there are some clear signs that beard hair loss is caused by fungus rather than something else. Here are some of them:

• Inflammation
• Redness
• Itchiness
• Flakes
• Rashes
• Facial Hair Shedding
• A Change to the Beard Hair’s Texture
• Bald Patches
• Red Bumps

If you notice any of these symptoms, there’s a high chance you have a beard hair fungal infection. However, it’s always best to have zero doubts, so book an appointment with your doctor to get a confirmed diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Beard Fungus

Don’t worry – beard fungus typically goes away with treatment. The best beard hair loss fungus treatment depends on the type of fungal infection you have, but here are the most common kinds that will hopefully work for you:

Antifungal Creams

There are plenty of different antifungal creams available to buy over the counter, including miconazole, econazole, clotrimazole, and ketoconazole. These work well for topical fungal infections, which you can apply to the beard area.

Antifungal Shampoos

Sometimes, using a simple antifungal shampoo can be enough to alleviate fungal infections of the beard. You can use it as you would on your scalp – do so in the shower to make it easier, applying to a wet beard and then washing out thoroughly.

Oral Antifungal Therapy

In certain (often more serious) cases, you may want to take oral antifungal medications. Again, there are a range of these, including fluconazole and ketoconazole. It’s best to try an oral treatment if a topical one does not work or if your symptoms are severe.

Steroid Creams

Sometimes, topical steroid creams can be used to help fight fungal infections. These should only be used in certain circumstances and when it’s been prescribed by a doctor, as using a steroid cream to fight fungus too often may make it harder to fight an infection in the future. [2]

If you’ve already experienced hair loss because of beard fungus, you’ll also be able to find a good hair loss treatment (which we’ll go into a little further below). However, rest assured that most beard hair loss from fungal infections tends to grow back.

Preventing Beard Fungus

What about treating beard fungus? A good beard hair loss fungus treatment will fight the fungi, but you shouldn’t have to use a fungal medication continuously to ensure it doesn’t come back. Instead, use these beard fungus prevention tips:

Keep Your Beard Clean and Dry

It’s crucial to keep your beard clean and dry at all times. Get into a suitable beard-cleaning routine – one that leaves your beard soft, shiny, and healthy, and definitely don’t forget to dry it completely after washing. Fungus thrives in warm, wet environments, so you want to avoid that as best as possible!

Wash After Sweating

If it’s a hot day – or you have spent an hour in the gym – wash your beard as soon as possible. If your beard is left warm and damp, it could lead to fungus growth.

Shampoo with Nizoral

A good beard fungal prevention tip is to use Nizoral shampoo routinely. Nizoral shampoo contains ketoconazole, which actively fights fungal infections. It’s used to treat and prevent fungal infections, so you shouldn’t experience any problems using it daily.

Sometimes, a fungal infection occurs even when you follow the prevention tips to a tee. It happens – fungal infections are very common and are nothing to be ashamed of. Get on top of treating it as soon as possible for the best chance of clearing it up. If you are worried about your beard fungal hair loss in any way, book an appointment with your GP or dermatologist.

Another Cause of Beard Hair Loss

Is beard fungus not the cause of your hair loss? If so, you might be wondering what is causing the thinning and balding. One of the most common reasons behind beard hair loss is alopecia barbae, an autoimmune disease that specifically targets facial hair. The good news is this is usually temporary and caused by stress, so it should go away even without treatment. However, if it doesn’t, you may want to invest in some hair restoration options, such as minoxidil, Finasteride, or even a beard hair transplant in some cases.

When Does a Beard Hair Transplant Make the Most Sense?

Yes – a beard transplant is a real thing, and it can help those who have experienced a loss of facial hair. It works the same as a typical hair transplant, except the hair that gets grafted is then applied into the beard area, encouraging new hair growth to come through. How do you know when a beard transplant makes the most sense? Usually, if you tick these boxes:

You Are Over 25

It’s not usually recommended for those under 25 to get a beard transplant, as their beard may not have finished growing. It’s best to wait until beard growth/loss is more stable.

You Have Ruled Out Fungal Infections

Beard transplants cannot be performed if you have an active fungal infection. If a current fungal infection causes your beard hair loss, the best treatment option is an antifungal medication. Treat that, and your beard hair should start to grow back.

The Beard Hair Hasn’t Grown Back

If your beard hair loss hasn’t grown back after quite some time, a hair transplant may be a good option. It’s best to wait a while before deciding on a procedure like this, as you may experience beard regrowth before long – especially if it’s caused by alopecia barbae. In this case, a doctor can diagnose alopecia barbae and keep track of it.

Are you interested in learning more about beard hair transplants? Our team are always happy to help, and you can check out our patients gallery to see our success stories.

Fungal Infection Beard Hair Loss Fungus: A Summary

Fungal infections can indeed cause beard hair loss, which can be very scary for patients. Don’t worry too much, though, as the beard hair loss caused by fungal infections tends to be temporary and will grow back once you’ve managed the fungal infection. It’s always best to speak to a doctor if new symptoms like redness, irritation, and inflammation appear on your beard area.

Are you interested in a beard hair transplant? Whether you’ve experienced alopecia or natural hair loss that occurs with age, we are here to help. Download our revolutionary hair track app to get in contact with the best hair transplant surgeons in the business. Enjoy a full beard once more!

Sources:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23525-tinea-barbae
2. https://iacdworld.org/?things_happen=steroid-creams-used-inappropriately#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20topical%20steroids%20may,are%20likely%20to%20become%20worse.