Introduction
Are you having an itchy or patchy scalp? If yes then there is one possibility is that you have tinea capitis, a fungal scalp infection. It is a very infectious virus that may be passed from person to person via combs, hair tools, and towels. If you are having too much hair loss and feeling extreme itching and patchy scalp then it is suggested to see the doctor.
This article explores all the important details about tinea capitis, including its symptoms, types, and treatment options. Therefore if you are looking to seek information about tinea capitis then this article may be very beneficial for you.
Tinea Capitis
Tinea capitis is a fungal illness that affects the scalp and hair of your child. Scalp ringworm is another term for tinea capitis. Tinea capitis develops when fungi infiltrate your child’s hair follicles and, in certain cases, hair shafts.
Tinea capitis can also cause your child’s eyelashes and brows to fall out. Tinea capitis can be inflamed or non-inflamed. Kerion can be caused by the inflammatory type. Tinea capitis kerion is painful, pus-filled patches that sometimes ooze. Kerion is caused by an immune system reaction to the fungus in your child. Scarring and permanent hair loss may result.
Non-inflammatory tinea capitis does not generally result in permanent hair loss. It can cause black dot tinea capitis, which causes the hair shafts on your child’s scalp to split. Another kind of non-inflammatory ringworm is gray patch ringworm. It indicates that your child’s hair shafts have broken above the surface, leaving small stubs.
Types Of Tinea Capitis
Tinea capitis is classified into two types, inflammatory and non-inflammatory. The first possibility is kerion, which is characterized by painful pus-filled areas. They are generated by the immune systems of infected persons in response to fungal activity. The child may endure permanent hair loss while the wound heals as a result of Kerion.
Non-inflammatory disorders, on the other hand, may not result in permanent hair loss. However, this might result in the development of black dot tinea capitis, a disorder in which the hair roots are injured. Gray patch tinea capitis is another kind of non-inflammatory ringworm. When it affects your hair and scalp, it might cause the hair roots to break through the surface. Both of these childhood illnesses are rather frequent.
Cause of Tinea Capitis
The growth of this fungal illness on the scalp is caused by a fungus family known as dermatophytes. They enjoy warm, wet environments and prefer to live on the fingernails, hair, and other uppermost layers of the skin.
How can your body help the fungus find a home?
- Inadequate hygiene
- Using an infected person’s combs, towels, or pillows
- Touching an infected person’s skin
- Touching sick home pets or animals
Tinea Capitis and Its Symptoms
Tinea capitis can affect the entire or a portion of your child’s scalp. Symptoms could include:
- Red swollen areas
- Rashes that are dry and scaly
- Itching is excruciating
- Hair loss in patches (alopecia)
- Scalp flaking that mimics dandruff
- A low-grade fever
- Lymph nodes that are swollen
Tinea capitis is an inflammatory condition that causes painful swelling areas on your child’s head. These patches are known as kerion. The kerion may flow pus and develop crusty blisters. Scarring from inflammatory ringworm is possible, and your child’s hair may not come back. Black dot tinea capitis causes hair shafts to break at the surface, resulting in the appearance of black dots. Tinea capitis causes gray patches and short hair stubs.
Treatment For Tinea Capitis
- Tinea capitis is often known as scalp ringworm. It will not disappear on its own. It can be cured with medication and a particular antifungal shampoo. To avoid scarring or scalp injury, treatment should begin as soon as possible. It might take many weeks for it to go away.
- Your child’s doctor or health care provider will prescribe a medication that must be taken orally for one to three months. To inhibit the fungus from forming, the drug travels via the blood to the scalp and into the growing hairs.
- To help some drugs function better, your kid may need to consume fatty foods such as whole milk, cheese, ice cream, or yogurt.
- You should not shave your child’s head.
- To lower their risk of infection, all household members, including those who are not afflicted, should use antifungal shampoo. They should utilize it two to three times each week for around six weeks.
Risk Factors For Tinea Capitis
The following are risk factors for tinea capitis:
- Age: Scalp ringworm is more frequent in toddlers and school-age children.
- Socialization With Other Youngsters: Ringworm outbreaks are widespread in schools and childcare facilities, where the virus spreads readily via close contact.
- Animal Contact: A pet, such as a cat or dog, might be infected without displaying any symptoms. Children can get the disease by handling the animal.
Prevention
There are several things you should follow to avoid ringworm such as:
- Personal goods such as hats, hairbrushes, combs, pillows, and helmets should not be shared with others.
- Maintain a clean and dry scalp for your youngster.
- Keep tinea capitis-infected youngsters separate from healthy children.
- Avoid locations where your youngster might become infected.
- Pillows, sheets, and other bedding should be washed regularly.
- After stroking, playing with, or coming into contact with pets, wash your hands.
How Long Does Tinea Capitis Takes To Get Cured?
Fungal infections are very difficult to treat. Your child must take their antifungal medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. They may need to take an antifungal medicine regularly for at least six weeks. Your child’s infection may appear to be fading or even gone, but it will return if the infection is not thoroughly treated, therefore do not stop the medication of the child without the doctor’s permission. Tinea capitis frequently resolves on its own after puberty.
Conclusion
Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp that causes the creation of circular markings on the skin. There are several preventive methods are given such as Personal goods such as hats, hairbrushes, combs, pillows, and helmets should not be shared with others, etc. Because it is a very infectious medical condition, therefore, some treatments and preventive measures are advised. To combat this disease, there are many doctors available. However, there are several home remedies as well which you can follow.
