Tinea Capitis - Symptoms and Treatment

Tinea capitis is a disease caused by superficial fungal infection of the skin of the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes, with a propensity for attacking hair shafts and follicles. Tinea is a fungus that can grow on your skin, hair or nails. Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp caused by a type of fungus called a dermatophyte. The fungus causing tinea capitis prefers hair follicles. In the form known as endothrix , the infection begins by penetration of the hair, and the organism then grows up the interior main axis of the hair where it fragments into arthroconidia. Ringworm may cause permanent scarring and hair loss. Hair loss in children is a more prevalent occurrence than most people imagine. The ALHA recommends seeking the advice of your pediatrician as soon as you notice the onset of even the smallest amount of hair loss. Currently children's hair loss is responsible for approximately 3% of all pediatric office visits in this country. It is caused by fungi of the genera Microsporum or Trichophyton, characterized by itchy, scaly patches and sometimes hair loss and ringworm of the scalp. The etiological organisms depend on geographic area. It is characterized by one or more large, tender boggy masses with erythema, pustules, crusting, and alopecia. Such a mass is called a kerion.

Tinea Capitis or "ring worm of the scalp" refers to an itchy, scaly rash of the scalp. The disease is considered to be a form of superficial mycosis or dermatophytosis. Tinea capitis is a disease caused by superficial fungal infection of the skin of the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes, with a propensity for attacking hair shafts and follicles. Several synonyms are used, including ringworm of the scalp and tinea tonsurans. Tinea capitis is most common between preschool-age and adolescence.It occurs most commonly in children. Tinea capitis is the fungal infection of the scalp due to dermatophytes. Cases of tinea capitis may be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Lymphadenopathy is frequent. Such infections may result in scarring and permanent alopecia. As it grows, it spreads out in a circle, leaving normal-looking skin in the middle. The dose should be about 10 mg per pound of body weight. It is possible to get ringworm more than once. Griseofulvin is given once a day with a fatty meal for about six to eight weeks total therapy. It may be spread by skin-to-skin contact, as well as via contact with contaminated items such as hairbrushes. Along with hair loss, the scalp surface shows seborrheic dermatitis-like scaling, impetigo-like crusting, pustules, inflammatory nodules or kerion.

Causes of Tinea Capitis

Common Causes and Risk factors of Tinea Capitis :

• Thrive in warm.
• Daycare centers.
• Humid environments.
• Poor hygiene.
• Sharing combs, brushes, or hats.
• Diabetes.

Symptoms of Tinea Capitis

Some common Symptoms of Tinea Capitis :

• Itching of the scalp.
• Bald patches.
• Possibly areas with swelling, sores, or irritated skin.
• Baldness.
• Dry scaling.
• Yellow crusts and matted hair.

Treatment of Tinea Capitis

Some common Treatment of Tinea Capitis :

• Topical treatment usually is ineffective.
• Tinea capitis is usually treated with an antifungal, such as griseofulvin, which is taken by mouth for 8 weeks.
• Systemic administration of griseofulvin provided the first effective oral therapy for tinea capitis.
• Tinea capitis is also treated with FungRx , an effective natural treatment, or Nizoral shampoo, which is used to wash the scalp 2-3 times a week.
• Selenium sulfide shampoo may reduce the risk of spreading the infection early in the course of therapy by reducing the number of viable spores that are shed.
• Newer antifungal medications, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine, and fluconazole, have been reported as effective alternative therapeutic agents for tinea capitis. Of these agents, itraconazole and terbinafine are used most commonly.
• It is very important to continue the use of the oral medication and shampoo for the entire 8 weeks. Treatment failure is common when medications are not taken everyday for the full 8 weeks .

Home | Drugs | Contact Us | Skin Disorders | Home Remedies | Diabetes | Health Blog
Copyright © HealthAtoZ.info All Rights Reserved.