Tinea capitis

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Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up

Ringworm of the scalp

Wood's lamp test - of the scalp

Fungal infection - scalp; Infection - fungal - scalp; Tinea of the scalp; Ringworm - scalp

The health care provider will prescribe a special medicine you take by mouth to treat ringworm in the scalp.

• Griseofulvin, terbinafine, and itraconazole are used to treat this condition
• You take the medicine for 4 to 8 weeks

Keep the area clean. A medicated shampoo, such as one that contains ketoconazole or selenium sulfide, may slow or stop the spread of infection through the air. However, the shampoo alone cannot get rid of the ringworm.

Other family members and pets should be examined and treated, if necessary.

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• Other children in the home may want to use the shampoo 2 to 3 times a week for around 6 weeks.
• Adults only need to wash with the shampoo if they have signs of tinea capitis or ringworm.

Once the shampoo has been started:

• Wash towels in warm, soapy water and dry each time they are used by someone who is infected
• Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour a day in a mixture of one-half bleach and one-half water. Do this for 3 days.

No one in the home should share combs, hairbrushes, hats, towels, pillowcases, or helmets with other people.

Tinea capitis may be hard to get rid of, and it may return after treatment. In many cases it gets better on its own when the person reaches puberty.

• Hair loss
• Permanent scars
• Pus-filled sores (kerions)

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.

Review Date: 10/04/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).