Why our children hair loss?
How to treatments children hair loss? - Tinea Capitis

1. Children's Tinea Capitis

Tinea Capitis is a disease caused by fungal infection of the skin of the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes, with a propensity for attacking hair shafts and follicles. It is also called "ringworm of the scalp". The condition is caused by a fungus that invades the hair shaft and causes the hairs to break. The bare patch of hair loss is often round and the scalp takes on a black-dotted stubble appearance from hair shafts broken off at the surface.

hair loss

There may also be mild itching and scaling. The condition is transmitted by contact from one infected child to another through the sharing of combs, brushes, hats, barrettes, pillows and bath towels. Minor bruising of the scalp occasionally provides an entry for the microscopic fungus. Children three to ten years of age are more susceptible and boys are more than girls. Ringworm of the scalp is not dangerous. Without treatment, however, the hair loss can be considerable, and some children will develop a boggy tender swelling of the scalp known as a kerion.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is suspected primarily based on the appearance of the scalp. A Wood's lamp test may be performed to confirm the presence of a fungal scalp infection. Wood's lamp is a test that is performed in a dark room where ultraviolet light is shined on the area of interest. No scalp biopsy is necessary for the diagnosis.

Treatment

Tinea capitis is usually treated with an antifungal, such as griseofulvin, which is taken by mouth for 8 weeks.

Tinea capitis is also treated with Nizoral shampoo, which is used to wash the scalp 2-3 times a week. It is very important to continue the use of the oral medication and shampoo for the entire 8 weeks. Treatment failure is common when medications are not taken everyday for the full 8 weeks.

Children who have tinea capitis are not required to leave school if treatment is used as directed. Most children are not contagious when using the oral medication and shampoo.

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