Friday, May 3, 2024

Tinea capitis scalp ringworm: Causes, symptoms, and treatments

ringworm in hair

After cleaning the rash, apply a thin layer of antifungal medication to the affected area twice a day or as the package directs. Spread the treatment beyond the border of the rash by a couple of centimeters and allow the medication to absorb into your skin. Over-the-counter antifungals can kill the fungus and promote healing. Effective medications include miconazole (Cruex), clotrimazole (Desenex), and terbinafine (Lamisil). When you get it between your toes, it’s what people call athlete’s foot. Do not use creams that contain steroids to treat ringworm.

What are the symptoms of tinea capitis?

Also called Tinea capitis, this infection affects your scalp and hair shafts, causing small patches of itchy, scaly skin. A fungal infection on the scalp can cause itchy bald spots. You may also have other symptoms, including brittle hair and fever. Treatment can include antifungal medication and medicated shampoo.

Prevention

Ringworm pictures can help you identify this common infection. Ringworm (dermatophytosis) causes a scaly rash, which may or may not be ring-shaped depending on which part of the body is affected. The infection is not caused by a worm but rather by one of about 40 different fungus types.

Management and Treatment

You may also notice a callus-like thickening of the skin. If you're exposed to ringworm, you can expect to develop a rash anywhere from four to 14 days later. Hairbrushes and combs should be replaced or cleansed with disinfectant such as bleach solution.

When a person comes into contact with the fungus that causes ringworm, the part of their body that touched it may become infected. From there, the fungus multiplies and can spread easily, even to other body parts. For instance, a person with athlete’s foot may later develop jock itch if their bare foot touches their underwear while getting dressed. A healthcare provider can typically diagnose tinea capitis by examining your scalp.

What tests will be done to diagnose tinea capitis?

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If you have ringworm symptoms, see your healthcare provider for treatment recommendations. It is important to note that common home remedies do not effectively treat this condition. Ringworm is usually diagnosed based on a medical history and physical exam.

What causes scalp ringworm?

Some people with no symptoms may be contaminated with fungi in their hair. Therefore, household members and other close contacts of an affected person may be advised to have a simple test. A special brush may be used on their hair which is then sent to the laboratory to see if their hair is contaminated with fungi or fungal spores. Sometimes the fungal infection beds down deeply into the scalp, which responds by creating a very sore, thick bumpy mass of fungal infection called a kerion.

Use an antifungal shampoo

ringworm in hair

It is one of the most common skin problems seen in children. It is not caused by a worm, but by a fungus and is named for the ring-like or circular appearance of the infection on the skin. Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) is a rash caused by a fungal infection. It's usually an itchy, circular rash with clearer skin in the middle.

Managing conditions

Tinea capitis, or scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection that affects your child’s scalp and hair. Symptoms of tinea capitis include swollen red patches, dry scaly rashes, itchiness and hair loss. Mold-like fungi called dermatophytes cause tinea capitis. Treatment for a tinea capitis infection involves the use of an oral antifungal medication. Treatment for scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) or nail infection (tinea unguium) is hardest to treat and usually includes an oral antifungal medicine for many weeks.

A ringworm infection on the skin is indicated by roundish, flat patches that have a raised, scaly border. On most areas of the skin, it causes ring-shaped patches. What you see, however, changes when ringworm grows on the feet (bottoms and sides), palms, nails, groin, beard area, or scalp. Free to everyone, these materials teach young people about common skin conditions, which can prevent misunderstanding and bullying.

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Dermatophytes prefer warmth and moisture, so they thrive on sweaty skin. Overcrowding and poor hygiene increase the spread of ringworm. Some small, limited studies have found that certain supplements and shampoos could be helpful, dermatologists say. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out in nickel- or quarter-size patches. “Your body’s immune system is attacking the hairs,” Brodell says.

The lesions of ringworm are unique, and usually allow for a diagnosis simply on physical exam. In addition, your healthcare provider may order a culture or skin scraping of the lesion to confirm the diagnosis. Scalp ringworm can lead to a painful inflammation called kerion. With kerion, you may develop crusty, pus-filled sores, often with hair loss and scarring. Your healthcare provider can diagnose ringworm by looking at your skin and assessing your symptoms.

If you have alopecia, you can help hold onto your tresses by avoiding behaviors that are known to contribute to temporary and permanent hair loss, Mirmirani says. It’s another expensive treatment that isn’t generally covered by insurance, but it tends to be a long-lasting solution. Using measures such as conditioning and using a silk or satin pillowcase or hair cap may help prevent this if going to bed with damp hair is necessary.

For non-prescription creams, lotions, or powders, follow the directions on the package label. Contact your healthcare provider if your infection doesn’t go away or gets worse. Initially, tinea capitis causes small red bumps and pustules on the scalp, as well as some scaling.

The common cold is caused by viruses spread from person to person through droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing, or contaminated surfaces. Most adults experience a common cold infection about two to three times per year, whether or not they sleep with wet hair. The outlook for ringworm varies depending on where the infection is located and how severe it is. Ringworm on the skin, including athlete's foot and jock itch, usually responds to over-the-counter ringworm creams, lotions, or powders within two to four weeks. Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) is uncommon in adults and mainly seen in toddlers and school-aged children. Instead, you'll find flaky, itchy patches on the scalp that may be red, brown, silvery gray, or yellowish in color.

Contact a healthcare provider for an appropriate diagnosis. Ringworm is an itchy, contagious fungal infection that causes a ring-shaped pattern on your skin. Over-the-counter and prescription treatments can stop the fungus from spreading to other parts of your body or to others. Several conditions affecting the scalp may have a similar appearance. See your child's doctor if your child has any hair loss, scaling or itchiness of the scalp, or other unusual appearance of the scalp. It's important to get an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment with prescription medicine.

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