Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis)

What is the ringworm or Tinea Capitis?
The scalp ring is not really a worm, but a fungal infection is there. This name becomes ringworm because the fungus creates spherical digits on the skin, often with flat centers and raised ranges. It is also called tinea capitis, this infection affects the shaft of your scalp and hair, causing itchy, scaly skin has small patches.

Ringworm is a highly infectious infection that usually spreads by sharing personal contact or combos, towels, cap or pillows from the person. Ringworm is the most common among children, but can infect a person of any age.

Causes of ringworm or Tinea Capitis:
Fungi is called dermatophacus, which causes the scalp ring. Fungal organisms that grow on dead tissues, such as nails, hair, and outer layers of your skin. Dermatophots prefer heat and moisture, so they grow on sweaty skin. Dysfunctional and poor hygiene increases the spread of ringworm.

Ringworm spreads easily, especially among children. You can get Ringworm from touching the infected person’s skin. If you use combs, bedding or other items used by the infected person, then you also have the risk.

Home pets such as cats and dogs can also spread Ringworm or Tinea Capitis. Farm animals such as goats, cows, horses and pigs can also be carriers. However, these animals can not show any signs of infection.

Symptoms of ringworm or Tinea Capitis:
The most common symptom of ringworm is itchy patch on the scalp. The hair section may break down the skull, red areas or bald spots, near the scalp. You can see the black point where the hair is broken. Untreated, these areas can grow slowly and spread.

Other symptoms include:

•  brittle hair
•  Traumatic skull
•  swollen lymph nodes
•  low grade fever
In more severe cases, you can develop crystallitis, which is called carion, which removes the pulse. These can lead to permanent bald spots and scarring.

How to diagnose it
Often, a visual examination is sufficient to diagnose scalp ringworm for a doctor. Your doctor may use a special light called wood lamp to expose your skull and determine the symptoms of infection.

Your doctor may also take a skin or hair sample to confirm the diagnosis. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to determine the appearance of the fungus. It involves involving your hair or scraping from a scalable patches of the skull below the microscope. This process can take up to three weeks.

Treatment
Your doctor will probably determine fungal-killing oral medicine and medicinal shampoo.

Antifungal medication
Antifangal medicines leading to ringworm are Grisofulvin (Grupelvin V, Gris-PEG) and Terbinafine Hydrochloride (Lamicil). There are two oral medicines that you take about six weeks. Both have common side effects, including diarrhea and disturbed stomach. Your doctor may recommend taking these medicines with high-fat food like peanut butter or ice cream.

Other possible side effects of Griseofulvin include:

•  Sun sensitivity
•  Vomit
•  Fatigue
•  Greediness
•  Dizziness
•  Allergic reactions in people who are allergic to penicillin
•  head ache
•  Red spots
•  Hives
Other potential side effects of Terbinafine hydrochloride include:

•  stomach pain
•  itching
•  Red spots
•  Hives
•  Taste reduction or change in taste
•  allergic reaction
•  head ache
•  fever
•  In rare cases, liver problems

Medicinal shampoo
Your doctor may prescribe a medicinal shampoo to remove the fungus and prevent the spread of infection. The active antifangal component in shampoo is ketokonazole or selenium sulphide. Medicinal shampoo helps prevent fungus from spreading, but it does not kill ringworms. You have to combine this type of treatment with oral medication.

Your doctor may ask you to use this shampoo twice a week for one month. Leave shampoo for five minutes, then rinse.

Recovery and reunion
Ringworm or Tinea Capitis gets cured very slowly. It may take more than a month to see any improvement. Be patient and continue to take all the medicines according to the instructions.

To make sure that your infection is cleansing, your doctor wants to see you or your baby in 4 to 6 weeks. It can be difficult to get rid of the ringworm, and it is possible to get the infection more than once. However, recurrence often stops in puberty. Long-term effects include potential bald patches or scarfings.

Once you start treatment for ringworm, your child can usually return to school, but when you are safe to return, then you should ask your doctor.

Pets and other family members should be examined and treated if needed. This will help prevent reunion. Do not share towels, combs, caps, or other personal items with other family members. You can soak the combs and brushes by soaking in bleach water from the infected person. Follow the guidelines on bleach containers for the appropriate weak ratio.

Stop the scalp ringworm
Dermatophants that cause Ringworm or Tinea Capitis are common and contagious. This makes the prevention difficult. Since the children are especially susceptible, tell your children about the risks of sharing hairbrushes and other personal items. Regular shampooing, hand washing, and other general hygiene routines can help prevent the spread of infection. Be sure to teach your children proper hygiene, and follow these practices.

It can be difficult to know whether an animal has a ring, but a common signal of infection is bald patches. Avoid stomaching any animal that has patches of skin through its wings. Keep regular checkups for all pets and check ringworm with your veterinarian.

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