noun
ringworm of the scalp; tinea capitis
Medical term for a fungal infection of the scalp. Usually written in kana in everyday contexts.
子供の頭にしらくもができた。
The child got ringworm on the scalp.
Kanji spelling used in medical contexts. The reading しらくも is a special reading for this compound.
Alternate kanji spelling, also rare and medical.
Refers to athlete's foot (tinea pedis), a fungal infection of the feet, while しらくも specifically affects the scalp.
The word is composed of しら (white) and くも (possibly from 雲 'cloud', referring to the appearance of the infection). The exact derivation is uncertain.