Knowledge Builders

what is the best treatment for tinea capitis

by Sanford Oberbrunner Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Treatment for ringworm of the scalp requires a prescription-strength antifungal medication taken by mouth. The first-choice medication is usually griseofulvin (Gris-Peg). Alternatives might be used if griseofulvin isn't working or your child is allergic to it.Jan 22, 2022

Explore

  • Griseofulvin (Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG)
  • Terbinafine
  • Itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox)
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan)

What is the best oral antifungal medication for tinea capitis?

These include:-

  • Hot and humid weather
  • Excessive sweating
  • Wearing tight-fitting, close-toed, or occlusive footwear for prolonged periods
  • Wearing wet socks and shoes
  • Having diabetes or a weakened immune system
  • Walking barefoot in certain areas such as public walkways, swimming pools, locker rooms, shared showers, and saunas

More items...

What is the most effective treatment for tinea pedis?

  • Shower regularly, especially after doing any form of activity that results in heavy perspiration.
  • Keep the groin area clean and dry at all times. ...
  • Do not apply oily products on the infected skin as they can increase sweating while clogging your pores, perfect conditions for the fungus to thrive.

More items...

How to treat tinea cruris at home?

Tinea capitis is also known as scalp ringworm. If you’ve noticed that your hair is falling out or breaking off in patches – or even if you’re losing hair from all over your scalp – this form of ringworm just might be the cause.

Is Tinea capitis causing your hair loss?

image

What is the first line treatment for tinea capitis?

Oral terbinafine is first-line therapy for tinea capitis and onychomycosis because of its tolerability, high cure rate, and low cost. However, kerion should be treated with griseofulvin unless Trichophyton has been documented as the pathogen.

What is the best medication for tinea capitis?

Summary: Currently, many experts consider griseofulvin to be the drug of choice for tinea capitis. Short-term terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole therapy have been shown to be comparable in efficacy and safety with griseofulvin.

How long does it take to cure tinea capitis?

Treatment for tinea capitis in adults includes oral antifungal medication as well. You'll need to take the medication for at least six weeks to make sure the infection clears completely. Oral antifungal medications for adults include terbinafine and itraconazole.

What happens if tinea capitis is left untreated?

Tinea capitis has a good prognosis with treatment. However, those who remain untreated are at risk for the development of an abscess, also known as a kerion. The fungi can shed spores for many months leading to spread. A common cause of treatment failure is a lack of medication compliance.

Will hair grow back after tinea capitis?

Hair normally grows back 6 to 12 months after treatment. In the meantime, your child can wear a hat or scarf to hide the bald areas. How is it treated? * Oral antifungal medicine The main treatment for ringworm of the scalp is a prescription antifungal medicine taken by mouth.

What is the most common cause of tinea capitis?

Trichophyton and Microsporum species of dermatophyte fungi are the major causes of tinea capitis. The infection is often contracted from another human or an animal through direct contact. Tinea capitis primarily occurs in children.

What kills fungus on the scalp?

One of the most common medications used to treat fungal infections of the scalp is griseofulvin, an oral antifungal. You may need to use griseofulvin or another medication for four to eight weeks to properly treat the infection. Other medications used to treat scalp fungus include itraconazole, fluconazole and others.

Can tinea capitis spread to the body?

The fungus is very contagious and can be spread from person to person. Tinea infection can affect any part of the body. But it most often occurs on the feet, groin, nails, body, and scalp. Treatment depends on what part of the body is infected.

Does tinea capitis go away?

Ringworm heals very slowly. It can take more than a month to see any improvement. Be patient and continue taking all medication as directed. Your doctor may want to check you or your child in 4 to 6 weeks to make sure the infection is clearing up.

What can be mistaken for tinea capitis?

Diseases and conditions that can be mistaken for tinea capitis include seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, alopecia areata, cradle cap, traction folliculitis leading to traction alopecia, and the effects of head lice.

What does tinea capitis look like?

Ringworm of the scalp or beard oftenlooks like round, bald patches. Most often, the infection spreads outward whilethe inside of the circle clears up. This makes the infection look like a ring. The name "ringworm" comes from this pattern.

How common is tinea capitis in adults?

Tinea capitis is a superficial fungal infection of the scalp and hair caused by dermatophytes such as Trichophyton and Microsporum. Tinea capitis is very rare in adults, and may affect those with immunosuppressive diseases or menopausal elderly women.

Is fluconazole effective in tinea capitis?

Fluconazole was effective in treating pediatric tinea capitis caused by Microsporum canis and was well tolerated. Clinical and mycological response was achieved in some patients weeks after the cessation of the administration of fluconazole.

How do you treat tinea capitis at home?

Here are six simple ways to treat ringworm.Apply a topical antifungal. Most cases of ringworm can be treated at home. ... Let it breathe. ... Wash bedding daily. ... Change wet underwear and socks. ... Use an antifungal shampoo. ... Take a prescription antifungal.

Does terbinafine work for tinea capitis?

Conclusions: Terbinafine is an effective, well tolerated and safe antifungal agent for the treatment of Tinea capitis in children. The shorter duration of treatment resulted in lower cure rates.

How long does it take for terbinafine to work on scalp?

Terbinafine solution usually starts to work within a few days. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not get better within 1 week. The cream, gel or spray usually starts to work within a few days. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not get better within 2 weeks.

What is the best treatment for Tinea capitis?

Conclusions: Tinea capitis remains the most common dermatophyte infection in young urban children. Oral antifungal therapy is required for effective treatment, often for several months. The combination of griseofulvin with a selenium sulfide shampoo continues to be the mainstay of therapy until more experience is gained with the newer antimycotics.

Is ketoconazole effective for tinea capitis?

Ketoconazole, the first azole studied for efficacy in tinea capitis, has not demonstrated any clinical advantage over griseofulvin in several controlled clinical trials. Itraconazole is effective, but the available data are limited to case reports and a single uncontrolled study.

What is the best treatment for tinea capitis?

Treatment Options. Oral antifungals are needed to effectively treat tinea capitis. Terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole are the preferred agents for tinea capitis. Griseofulvin is also effective and may be used in resource-poor settings where other antifungals are not available.

How is Tinea Capitis Diagnosed?

The diagnosis is suspected primarily based on the appearance of the scalp. A skin lesion biopsy with microscopic examination or culture may show dermatophytes. This test is often not necessary to diagnose tinea capitis. A Wood's lamp test may be performed to confirm the presence of a fungal scalp infection.

What Causes Tinea Capitis?

Dermatophyte fungi thrive on dead tissue especially that which is warm and moist. A minor injury of the scalp will increase your risk of infection.

How to prevent tinea?

Good general hygiene can help prevent all types of tinea infections. Regular scalp shampooing, along with cleaning of combs and hairbrushes is important. Headgear, combs, brushes, and similar items should not be shared and contact should be avoided with infected pets or farm animals. There have been reports of children sharing sleeping mats at daycare contracting tinea capitis, so these should be disinfected regularly.

What causes a dog to have black dots on his scalp?

Pets are usually treated with topical and/or oral antifungal agents obtained through a vet. The fungus that causes ringworm attacks hair shafts and follicles, weakening the hair in the area and leaving it fragile and broken, creating small areas of baldness (alopecia). Small black dots on the scalp may also be present.

What is a kerion on the scalp?

Others may develop a severe, painful, inflammatory mass called a kerion. This is generally confined to a specific area, although occasionally a large part of the scalp may be infected. There is substantial hair loss in the area and any hairs that remain are easily pulled out.

Where are trichophyton infections most common?

Trichophyton infections are more common in Central America, United States, and parts of Western Europe whereas Microsporum infections predominate in South America, Asia-Pacific, Southern and Central Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

How long does it take to treat tinea capitis?

Method: A total of 16 black children, aged 3-6, all with proven tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans, were treated daily for 8 weeks with 2% ketoconazole shampoo for a total of 56 treatments. Clinical and mycologic examinations were performed every 2 weeks and again at 4 weeks following treatment. The number of colonies were counted on each plate after each visit. Patients with positive cultures after 8 weeks were placed on oral griseofulvin; those with negative cultures were followed monthly by culture for an additional 12 months.

What shampoo is good for tinea capitis?

Topical antifungal shampoo's, namely ketoconazole 2% shampoo or products with selenium sulfide or salicylic acid are recommended as adjunctive therapy. Topical antifungal monotherapy has not been successful in the treated of tinea capitis.

How long does it take for T tonsurans to heal?

Results: Marked clinical improvement occurred in all patients within 2 weeks and absence of pruritus was noted by the patients as early as 2-6 days. After 8 weeks of shampoo, 14 of the 15 (93%) children were clinically healed. Mycologically, the cultures dropped from a confluent growth of T. tonsurans to less than 100 colonies within 2 weeks; fewer than 50 at week 4 and 20 colonies or fewer after week 6. At 8 weeks of treatment the number of colonies remained at 20 or fewer. Six of the 15 children (40%) had negative cultures after 2, 4, and 6 weeks. One child relapsed at the first 4-week follow-up visit. Five of 15 (33%) of the children remained culturally negative for 12 months post-treatment.

Does ketoconazole shampoo help tinea capitis?

Conclusions: Ketoconazole 2% shampoo alone reduces the number of viable arthroconidia in children with tinea capitis thus reducing the transmissibility and contagious nature of the disease. Unexpectedly, complete cure was obtained in 5/15 (33%) of the children.

What is the best treatment for tinea capitis?from drugs.com

Treatment Options. Oral antifungals are needed to effectively treat tinea capitis. Terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole are the preferred agents for tinea capitis. Griseofulvin is also effective and may be used in resource-poor settings where other antifungals are not available.

What Causes Tinea Capitis?from drugs.com

Dermatophyte fungi thrive on dead tissue especially that which is warm and moist. A minor injury of the scalp will increase your risk of infection.

How is Tinea Capitis Diagnosed?from drugs.com

The diagnosis is suspected primarily based on the appearance of the scalp. A skin lesion biopsy with microscopic examination or culture may show dermatophytes. This test is often not necessary to diagnose tinea capitis. A Wood's lamp test may be performed to confirm the presence of a fungal scalp infection.

What are antifungal medicines and how do they work?from patient.info

They come as creams, sprays, solutions, tablets designed to go into the vagina (pessaries), shampoos, medicines to take by mouth, and injections. Most work by damaging the cell wall of the fungus, which causes the fungal cell to die.

What are the possible side-effects of antifungal medication?from patient.info

You should read the information leaflet that comes with your particular brand for a full list of cautions and possible side-effects. As a general rule:

What is the usual length of treatment with antifungal medication?from patient.info

Fungal skin infections like athlete's foot or ringworm: a cream is usually used for two weeks as a minimum. Sometimes up to six weeks' treatment is needed with a cream.

What is the best treatment for thrush?from patient.info

For example: Terbinafine is commonly used to treat nail infections which are usually caused by a tinea type of fungus. Fluconazole is commonly used to treat vaginal thrush, as an alternative to using antifungal cream. It is also used to treat and prevent certain fungal infections within the body.

What is the treatment for tinea capitis?

Newer antifung al agents such as terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole are at least as effective as griseofulvin for trichophyton infections but less effective for microsporum species.

What is tinea capitis?

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp, involving both the skin and hair. It is also known as scalp ringworm. Symptoms of tinea capitis include hair loss, dry scaly areas, redness, and itch. Tinea barbae is essentially the same condition involving the beard area.

How is tinea capitis spread?

Anthropophilic species are spread following contact with infected persons, including asymptomatic carriers, or contaminated objects (fomites). Fomites that can harbour anthropophilic dermatophytes include hairbrushes, hats, towels, bedding, couches, and toys; fungal spores may remain viable on these for months. Zoophilic species are transmitted from infected animals, including household pets (especially kittens) or stray cats and dogs. Zoophilic species can spread person-to-person.

What are the complications of tinea capitis?

Alopecia can result in psychosocial distress for the patient, especially when scarring alopecia following inflammatory tinea capitis results in permanent bald patches. A secondary rash may occur with inflammatory tinea capitis, particularly after initiating antifungal treatment; this is known as a dermatophytide or id reaction. Rarely, erythema nodosum has been known to occur. Secondary bacterial infection may develop.

What is the differential diagnosis for tinea capitis?

The differential diagnosis list is extensive and includes any condition which may present with patchy alopecia, inflammation, or scaling of the scalp. Examples include:

What is the fungus that causes tinea capitis?

T. violaceum is an anthropophilic fungus seen in New Zealand in patients who have migrated from Africa or the Middle East. Examples of other anthropophilic fungi that cause tinea capitis include: M. audouinii. Geophilic fungi, such as M. gypseum, originate in the soil and are rare causes of tinea capitis.

What are some examples of zoophilic fungi that cause tinea capitis?

Examples of other zoophilic fungi that cause tinea capitis include: M. nanum (host — pig s) M. distortum (variant of M. canis) T. equinium (host — horses) T. verrucosum (host — cattle). Trichophyton tonsurans is an anthropophilic dermatophyte that is the most common cause of tinea capitis in the United States.

image

Symptoms

Epidemiology

Risks

Causes

Signs and symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

  • Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of tinea capitis. Home care remedies do not effectively treat tinea capitis. Longer-term , prescription oral medications are usually needed. Oral antifungals are needed to effectively treat tinea capitis. Terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole are the preferred agents f...
See more on drugs.com

Research

Prevention

1.Tinea Capitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Url:https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22449-tinea-capitis

11 hours ago Treatment for tinea capitis in adults includes oral antifungal medication as well. You’ll need to take the medication for at least six weeks to make sure the infection clears completely. Oral …

2.Treatment of tinea capitis - PubMed

Url:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9066943/

2 hours ago Itraconazole is effective, but the available data are limited to case reports and a single uncontrolled study. Terbinafine similarly has shown promise in the treatment of tinea capitis, …

3.Treatment Options for Tinea Capitis | AAFP

Url:https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/1999/1115/p2387.html

12 hours ago Griseofulvin has long been the standard therapy for tinea capitis and is currently the only antifungal agent labeled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this condition. Temple …

4.New treatments for tinea capitis - PubMed

Url:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15021047/

30 hours ago The current standard of care for the treatment of tinea capitis in the USA is oral griseofulvin, but evidence is accumulating that some of the newer antifungal agents may also be useful. Recent …

5.Tinea Capitis: Diagnosis & Treatment Options - Drugs.com

Url:https://www.drugs.com/tinea-capitis.html

13 hours ago Oral antifungals are needed to effectively treat tinea capitis. Terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole are the preferred agents for tinea capitis.

6.Successful treatment of tinea capitis with 2

Url:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10809984/

30 hours ago Background: Oral antifungal drugs are required for effective treatment of tinea capitis. Topical antifungal shampoo's, namely ketoconazole 2% shampoo or products with selenium sulfide or …

7.List of 7 Tinea Capitis Medications Compared - Drugs.com

Url:https://www.drugs.com/condition/tinea-capitis.html

5 hours ago 22 rows · Drugs used to treat Tinea Capitis The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition. Select drug classAll drug classesazole …

8.Tinea capitis | DermNet

Url:https://dermnetnz.org/topics/tinea-capitis

12 hours ago Griseofulvin has previously been the most widely used medication to treat tinea capitis, but it is no longer available in some countries, including New Zealand. Newer antifungal agents such as …

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9