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Tinea capitis is a skin disease. It is the result of superficial fungal infection of the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. Hair shafts and follicles are its victims. In the recent years, more and more numbers of people are affected with tinea capitis. Tinea capitis may appear in the form of scales which is not inflamed or it may appear as an inflammatory disease with scaly erythematous scars and loss of hair alopecia that may advance to excessively swollen deep abscesses known as kerion. The term tinea means larvae of insects that survives and thrives on clothes and books. Tinea capitis occurs mainly in small children.
In the beginning there is a small erythematous papule near the hair shaft on the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes. After a few days, the red papule becomes discolored and scales appear. The hair tends to loose color and become lifeless, without shine and easy to break. Lesions may appear in ring shape in infected areas. It may be accompanied by mild or severe swelling. This infection is spread by person-to-person. The infection is spread through combs, brushes, couches and bed sheets. If a person uses any of these of an infected person, then he is very much likely to get an infection.
The treatment is based on the type of fungal infection, the severity of the swelling and the immune system of the patient. Patient is given doses of griseofulvin as a medicine for tinea capitis. However, this may not be sufficient to cure tinea capitis. Antifungal medications, such as ketoconazole, fluconazole, terbinafine, and itraconazole are prescribed. The patient may be asked to use Selenium sulfide shampoo to prevent the infection from spreading.
To prevent your children from getting this skin condition, do not allow the children to use toys, brushes, combs and sheets of one another. This may spread the disease.
Tinea Corporis
Tinea Corporis is a dermatophyte infection. It could be inflammatory or noninflammatory in nature. The lesions are on the body except for scalp, groin, palms, and soles. The fungus thrives on nail, hair and cornified skin. These places are warm and moist and prove suitable for the growth of the fungi. The fungus takes about 2 to 3 weeks to grow and become active.
Dermatophyte will attack in a circular manner in a border leaving the central area. Tinea Corporis is a commonly harbored in the hot and sultry areas. This disease is not fatal. It can occur both in men and women. However, it is more prominent in women since, they are closely associated with children who easily carry the infection. Tinea corporis can affect people of any age group. However, it is more common in children. Tinea corporis can be contacted from animals. This is mostly found in children.
Symptoms -
- A person can feel a strong burning sensation
- Severe pain is experienced by a person having HIV
- The disease spreads through contact with infected person or animals. For example, farmers, vets and zoo keepers
- It can spread by skin contact amongst wrestlers
- In children, while playing with one another
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