Scalp ringworm is a dermatophyte (fungal) infection of the scalp.
Symptoms of tinea capitis include a dry patch of scale, a patch of hair loss, or both on the scalp.
Doctors base the diagnosis on an examination of the scalp and samples taken from the scalp.
Treatment includes antifungal medications taken by mouth for all people and, for children, antifungal cream.
(See also Overview of Fungal Skin Infections.)
Tinea capitis is a type of dermatophytosis. In the United States, tinea capitis is primarily caused by the fungus Trichophyton tonsurans.
Tinea capitis is highly contagious and is common among children.
Dalili za Choa wa Ngozi ya Kichwa
Picha kwa hisani ya Thomas Habif, MD.
Tinea capitis may cause a dry scaly rash that may be somewhat itchy, a patch of hair loss (alopecia), or both. One type of fungus causes "black dot" ringworm, in which hair shafts break at the scalp surface. Another type of fungus causes "gray patch" ringworm, in which hair shafts break above the scalp surface, leaving short stubs. Tinea capitis may sometimes cause flaking that resembles dandruff.
Kerioni
A dermatophyte infection occasionally causes a kerion, which is a large, painful, inflamed, swollen patch on the scalp that sometimes oozes pus. A kerion may have blisters and crusting and can look like an abscess (a pocket of pus).
A kerion is caused by an immune system reaction to the fungus and may result in scarring hair loss.
Utambuzi wa Choa wa Ngozi ya Kichwa
A doctor's examination of the skin
Examination of plucked hairs or scale from the scalp
Sometimes a Wood light examination and sometimes culture
Tinea capitis is diagnosed by its appearance and the results of an examination of a sample of plucked hairs or of hairs and scale from the scalp. Doctors examine the samples under a microscope.
Sometimes a type of ultraviolet light (called a Wood light) is shined on the scalp to distinguish the type of fungus.
Doctors may also do a culture (the process of growing an organism in a laboratory for identification) of the samples or of material taken from a kerion.
Matibabu ya Choa wa Ngozi ya Kichwa
In children and adults, antifungal medications taken by mouth
In children, antifungal cream and selenium sulfide shampoo
In adults, sometimes selenium sulfide shampoo
Sometimes prednisone
In children, treatment of tinea capitis involves an antifungal medication called terbinafine taken by mouth. Griseofulvin is an alternative medication for children.
An antifungal cream can be applied to the scalp to prevent spread, especially to other children, until the tinea capitis is cured. Prescription-strength selenium sulfide shampoo should also be used at least twice a week. Children may attend school during treatment. (See also table Some Antifungal Medications Applied to the Skin (Topical Medications).)
In adults, treatment of tinea capitis is with the antifungal medication terbinafine or itraconazole taken by mouth. How long treatment is needed depends on the medication used. Selenium sulfide shampoo is also sometimes used in adults.
For severely inflamed areas and for a kerion, doctors may prescribe a short course of a corticosteroid such as prednisone taken by mouth to lessen symptoms and perhaps reduce the chance of scarring.
