Tinea Capitis

What is Tinea Capitis?

Tinea Capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp by a type of fungus known as Dermatophytes. It's especially common in children and may lead to allergic reactions and further complications known as Kerion.

How do I get it?

You can find this fungus is abundant in warm, moist areas usually in the outdoors. You have an increased risk of this infection if you are

• unhygienic
• sweating for a long period
• suffering minor cuts of the skin from outdoor exposure

This condition is infectious. If you come in contact with anybody that has this infection, it can spread to you as well. Do notice that contact with pets, hair stained hair dressing equipment also exposes you to this infection.

What are the symptoms like?

If you leave the problem untreated, it can cause

• round scally lesions on your scalp
• red or inflamed regions in your scalp
• bald patches
• possible itching on the scalp
• development of pus filled lesions also known as Kerion

If you notice such conditions, its highly likely to be caused by a fungal infection.

How does it cause hair loss?

This fungal infection will cause inflammation and itching to your scalp. You might want to scratch it and it may result in scarring. Further to that, prolong inflammation will hurt your hair follicles and can damage the hair shafts.

If you do not treat it appropriately, it might lead to permanent hair loss on that particular area and might develop into Kerion. So it's important to look into this problem in the soonest possible manner.

Treatment for Tinea Capitis

As this is a fungal infection, your doctor might use a device call the Wood's Light to see whether the infection is caused by a fungal infection or other causes.

Depending on the severity of the infection, the doctor will usually prescribe you with

• topical cream
• oral medications
• anti fungal shampoo like Ketoconazole and Selenium Sulfide

There are no alternative or home remedies that you can perform yourself. It's advisable for you to proceed to your doctor to get the right medical attention for this disease.

Prevention from getting the disease.

Usually, this disease affects younger children from ages 7-10 when they are most active or just started pre schooling. If that is your case, make sure your kid maintains proper hygiene at all times. You should

• wash your kid as soon as possible
• change clothes after sporting activities
• keep a hand hygiene
• avoid contact with wild animals as much as possible
• do not exchange caps, hats or other hair dressing equipment

As Tinea Capitis can spread through contact, do make sure the infected person take preventive measures to stop the spread of this infection.