Tinea Capitis - Symptoms & Treatment

Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. The hair of head, eyebrows, eyelashes may also be involved. The skin may be involved alone, as is seen with infection due to Trichophyton rubrum . There are three forms of hair infection. 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. A typical causative agent is T. tonsurans . The exception to the rule about arthroconidia formation is Trichophyton schoenleinii. This organism causes an endothrix-style growth, but without the arthrocondia. Instead, channels are formed within the hair shaft. This is useful diagnostically, as air bubbles move along these channels when an infected hair is immersed in a liquid. This later form of infection, as well as the clinical presentation of scutula, carries the special label Tinea favosa , or favus. The type of disease elicited depends on interaction between the host and the etiologic agents. The term tinea originally indicated larvae of insects that fed on clothes and books. Subsequently, it meant parasitic infestation of the skin. By the mid 16th century, the term was used to describe diseases of the hairy scalp. The term ringworm referred to skin diseases that assumed a ring form, including tinea. The causative agents of tinea infections of the beard and scalp were described first by Remak and Schönlein, then by Gruby, during the 1830s. Approximately 50 years later, in Sabouraud's dissertation, the endothrix type of tinea capitis infection was demonstrated, and it was known that multiple species of fungi cause the disease. Simple culture methods were described and treatment using x-ray epilation was reported in 1904.

Causes of Tinea Capitis

Find common causes and risk factors of Tinea Capitis :

• Tinea capitis is due to a fungal infection of the scalp.
• The main cause of tinea infection include T tonsurans , characterized by chains of large spores and T schoenleinii , characterized by hyphae with air spaces.
• M audouinii and M canis are the most common cause of tinea capitis.
• Tinea infection is increased by poor hygiene , prolonged wetness of the skin (such as from sweating) and minor skin or scalp injuries .

Signs and Symptoms of Tinea Capitis

Sign and symptoms may include the following :

• Round and scaly skin lesions on the scalp.
• Skin lesions are red in color and inflammation.
• Itching or burning on the affected area.
• Affected area appear pus-filled lesions or swelling on the scalp.

Treatment for Tinea Capitis

Oral antifungal medications are useful to control of the fungal scalp infection. You should keep the affected area dry and clean. Use a specific shampoo that contain selenium sulfide on the affected area to reduce the infection of dermatophytes. Antifungal ointment is also effective to treat ringworm (tinea capities).

Treatment may include:

• A topical anti fungal medication is usually sufficient in case only skin is involved. Anti fungal drugs have become increasingly effective in the treatment of tinea infections.
• Itraconazole and Terbinafine , are also very effective for nail infection in case of tinea capitis.
• Terbinafine is also a very effective treatment for tinea capitis caused by T tonsurans.
• An oral and topical anti fungal medication may be prescribed if a large body surface area is involved,
• Blistering skin eruptions on the palms and soles should be treated with cool compresses , such as Burrow's solution.