Tinea capitis is the medical term for ringworm on the scalp. The condition is quite common among children especially 3-7 years old. In most cases of these fungal infections, they are triggered by 2 different fungi – Trichophyton tonsurans and microsporum canis.
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How tine capitis spreads
The fungi responsible for causing tinea capitis generate spores that are shed into the clothes, combs or brushes used by the child and even into the air. Take note that these spores are capable of surviving for months on various objects.
Children can acquire tinea capitis after they come in contact with an infected individual or animal or after being exposed to the spores in other ways. Usual sources of spores include classmates of the child or adults who carry them on their scalp or skin without being infected. These are risk factors that can increase the chance of acquiring tinea capitis.
- Crowded or congested conditions
- Large-sized family
- Impoverished socioeconomic status
Appearance of tinea capitis
The usual symptom of tinea capitis is hair loss. It can also occur along with a rash that appears in a different manner depending on whether the fungus enters the hair shaft or remains on the exterior region of the hair shaft. The distinctive characteristics of tinea capitis include the following:
- Black dots are present on the scalp along with the patch of hair loss. This is due to hairs that were broken off right below the skin surface.
- Gray-colored patch that are scaly with hair loss
- Kerion are regions of hair loss along with soggy, stiffened scalp and pustules that are due to the exaggerated reaction of the immune system to the fungal infection.
Diagnosing tinea capitis
Tinea capitis is usually diagnosed using various methods. In most cases, a Wood’s lamp examination might reveal hairs that turn blue-green in appearance. When a KOH test is carried out on the hair or scalp, it can reveal fungi under the microscope. Eventually, a fungal culture of the scalp or hair can also show the type of fungus responsible for causing the infection.
Treatment for tinea capitis
It is vital to bear in mind that the condition can be managed with topical antifungal creams. The condition can be managed using oral antifungal medications, usually spanning for several months such as itraconazole, terbinafine and fluconazole.
How to prevent tinea capitis
The ideal way to prevent tinea capitis is simply common sense. Avoid sharing brushes, combs or hats with others and avoid touching other children who have rashes on the scalp or animals that have rashes.
As for recurrent infection or preventing an infection among those who are in contact with an infected child, it can be quite complicated.
- Brushes, combs and hats of infected individuals must be properly disinfected or disposed of.
- Family members must be carefully assessed for similar infections.
- Family members should utilize an antifungal shampoo that contains 2% ketoconazole or 2.5% selenium sulfide which both require a prescription from a doctor. This can help prevent the spread of tinea capitis but there is no reliable proof to confirm this.