Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp with three types: favus, microsporosis, and ringworm. Symptoms include dandruff, itching, and bald patches. It is common among school children and treated with antifungal drugs.
Tinea capitis is a contagious fungal infection of the scalp that can present as thick, scaly bumps or ringworm. Other symptoms include dandruff, itching and bald patches. There are three types, characterized by the fungus that causes it: favus, microsporosis and ringworm.
Favus tinea capitis is caused by the fungus Trichophyton schoenleinii and is characterized by a honeycomb pattern of yellowish lesions on the scalp. Each lesion grows around a hair follicle and eventually scabs. When the scabs fall off, a shiny, hairless area remains. Favus is a chronic condition, usually lasting 10 to 20 years. It is most common among school-age children living in South Africa and the Middle East.
Microsporus tinea capitis is caused by fungi of the genus Microsporum. Microsporus infections often originate from sick cats or kittens. They are characterized by red papules growing around the hair shaft, which eventually form and cause hair breakage near the scalp.
Ringworm is caused by Trichophyton species other than T. schoenleinii. Ringworm infections cause dry patches on the scalp rather than lesions. Hair also comes off due to ringworm tinea capitis, leaving black dots at the site of the hair follicles.
All types of fungus are common among school children and affect boys more often than girls. Since the infection is contagious and it is possible to carry the fungus without symptoms, large outbreaks can occur in schools. Tinea capitis is treated with the oral antifungal drug griseofulvin, developed from a kind of penicillin. The drug has a high success rate, but must be taken for at least six to eight weeks. Lamisil®, an over-the-counter antifungal drug for athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm, is also used to treat tinea capitis in children over the age of four.
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