Ringworm Scalp Tinea Capitis
The medical term for ringworm is tinea. Tinea is the Latin name for a growing worm. Medical terminology adds another word to indicate where the fungus is located. Ringworm scalp tinea capitis, all refers to scalp ringworm, tinea corporis to fungus of the body, tinea pedis to fungus of the feet, etc.
Ringworm is a common skin disorder known as tinea. Ringworm is not, in spite of its’ name caused by a worm. It is a fungal infection of the skin. In some cases, but not always, it is a round ring-like lesion, hence the name. The term “ringworm” or “ringworms” refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. The early belief was that the infection was due to a worm, which it is not. Ringworm is a fungus infection in the skin. Nevertheless, the name “ringworm” has caught on. Some of these fungi produce round spots on the skin, but many do not. On the other hand, many round spots on the skin are not due to a fungal infection. A physical examination of the affected skin, evaluation of skin scrapings under the microscope, and culture tests can help doctors make the appropriate distinctions. A proper diagnosis is essential to successful treatment.
A zoonotic disease, ringworm can be passed from animals to humans. Cats are more likely to be infected of all animals. The skin changes in cats are very similar to those of affected people, but cats can carry the infection without exhibiting obvious signs. It is sometimes hard to tell the source of the fungus. A highly contagious infection, ringworm can be passed from animal to person or person to person through direct skin contact as well as through contaminated items like clothing, shower or pool surfaces and toiletry items.
The fungi that cause ringworm tend to grow and thrive in warm moist areas of the body. Areas that are frequently moist from perspiration, skin folds that stay damp are especially vulnerable. Good examples are the feet, the groin or the scalp. You may experience bald patches where hair would normally grow on the scalp. The fungus lives on the dead tissue of the skin and leaves a lesion. Skin fungi, like ringworm can only live on the dead layer of keratin protein on top of the skin. Rarely do they invade deeper into the body. They cannot live on mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth or vagina.
Griseofulvin Tinea Capitis
Griseofulvin Tinea Capitis
Tinea capitis, or ringworm of the scalp, is the most common dermatophyte infection among children. This is a problem worldwide but approximately 3 to 8 percent of American children are affected, and up to one third of in-house contacts are asymptomatic carriers, meaning they show no outward signs of the infection. Tinea infections are usually spread by humans but may also be passed to humans from animals. Adolescent and adult infections are uncommon.
The three primary dermatophytes most commonly seen are Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum audouinii and Microsporum canis. Anti-fungal medications, taken by mouth, are used to treat the infection. There are several different options that are often used to treat this condition. Griseofulvin has long been the standard therapy for tinea capitis. It is currently the only antifungal agent labeled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this condition. Griseofulvin is an antibiotic derived from a species of Penicillium.
Griseofulvin acts systemically to inhibit the growth of Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton genera of fungi. With the use of an anti-fungal like griseofulvin Tinea Capitis can be treated effectively. Fungistatic amounts are deposited in the keratin, which is gradually exfoliated and replaced by non-infected tissue. Griseofulvin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract varies considerably from one individual to the next. This is mainly because of insolubility of the drug in the upper G.I. tract. The peak serum level found in fasting adults given 0.5 gm occurs at about four hours and ranges between 0.5 and 2.0 mcg/mL.
As previously mentioned some individuals do not absorb at the same rate as others and tend to attain lower blood levels at all times. This may explain why some patients respond better to this type of treatment than others. Better blood levels can probably be attained in most patients if Griseofulvin is taken after ingesting a meal with a high fat content.
Some of the symptoms of tinea capitis or scalp ringworm to watch for are bald patched areas, where hair that has broken off from the scalp, itching of the scalp, pus-filled lesions or sores on the scalp, round, scaly lesions on the scalp that may be inflamed, and small black dots on the scalp. Tinea capitis may be extremely persistent, and it may return after treatment. It has been found that in many cases it goes away on its own as a person reaches puberty. Good general hygiene is a key factor to prevent and treat tinea infections.
Tinea Capitis Fungal Infection
Tinea Capitis Fungal Infection
A mold-like fungus called Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp. Tinea capitis fungal infection is widespread in some urban areas, particularly in children of Afro-Caribbean heritage, in North America, Central America, and South America. It is common in parts of Africa and India. In Southeast Asia, the rate of infection has been reported to have decreased dramatically from fourteen percent to slightly over one percent in the last fifty years. This said to be because of improved general sanitary conditions and improved personal hygiene practices in these areas. In northern Europe, occurrence of the disease is irregular at best.
In the United Kingdom and North America, T tonsurans is credited for more than ninety percent of cases of Tinea capitis fungal infection. In the non-urban areas, infrequent infections acquired from puppies and kittens are due to M canis, although this accounts for less than ten percent of cases in the United Kingdom. Occasional infection comes from other animal hosts like T verrucosum, from cattle, occur in more rural areas.
Tinea capitis can be persistent and very contagious. Tinea capitis is also called ringworm of the scalp. Affecting children almost exclusively, this is a skin disorder that is caused by fungal organisms known as dermatophytes. They cause scalp ringworm by outwardly contaminating certain kinds of tissue found in hair, skin, and nails. Tinea capitis is predominantly a disease of preadolescent children. It accounts for up to 92.5% of dermatophyte infections in children less than ten years of age. The disease is rare in adults, although occasionally, it has been found to affect the elderly. Tinea capitis occurrence is widespread in some urban areas in the United States.
Bald, patchy, areas where the hair has broken off from the scalp is just one of the symptoms of ringworm or Tinea capitis fungal infection. Others are itching of the scalp, pus-filled lesions or sores on the scalp, round, scaly lesions on the scalp that may be inflamed, and small black dots on the scalp. This fungus is very contagious and easily passed from one person to another. There is sometimes a problem with infection and re-infection within families, communities, and schools.
Tinea capitis symptoms to watch for are thickened, scaly, and sometimes boggy swellings, or expanded raised red rings. Common symptoms are severe itching of the scalp, dandruff, and bald patches where the fungus has rooted itself in the skin. Tinea capitis often presents identically to dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.
