Scalp ringworm—also known as tinea capitis—is a fungal infection of the scalp and hair. Despite the name, it’s not caused by an actual worm. Instead, it’s triggered by dermatophyte fungi, which invade hair shafts and surrounding skin.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Common Symptoms: Look for itchy, scaly patches or bald spots. You may also notice redness, swelling, or broken hairs (sometimes appearing as ‘black dots’) on the scalp.
- Potential Complication: A serious inflammatory reaction known as kerion can develop—appearing as swollen, pus-filled (boggy) lesions that can leave scarring if not treated promptly.
- Primary Treatment: Topical creams alone won’t suffice. Oral prescription antifungals—such as griseofulvin, terbinafine, itraconazole, or fluconazole—taken over several weeks are the most effective solution.
- Supporting Treatment: Using medicated antifungal shampoos or creams may help remove fungal spores and prevent spread, especially in children.
- Risk Factors & Transmission: Most common in children—and highly contagious—it spreads via direct contact or through shared items like brushes, hats, or towels. Pets can also be a source.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Itchy, red, flaky or scaly patches on the scalp
- Baldness or hair breakage (“black dot” appearance)
- Inflamed areas that may develop into kerions—tender, pus-coated swellings with potential scarring
Diagnosis & Medical Care
- Initial Assessment: A dermatologist can often make a diagnosis by visually examining the scalp.
- Confirmatory Tests: Hair or skin samples may be cultured, or a Wood’s lamp or KOH test may be used to detect fungal presence.
- Pro Tip: Early treatment not only improves recovery but also reduces the risk of hair loss and spread.
Treatment Overview
| Component | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oral antifungals | Clear infection from within | Typically a 6-week course, depending on the drug and severity |
| Medicated shampoo/creams | Decrease surface spores | Use alongside oral meds to prevent spread |
| Follow-up | Monitor progress | Ensuring symptoms resolve and hair regrowth begins without scar formation |
Prevention Tips
- Hygiene Matters: Wash hair, towels, and bedding regularly. Ensure grooming tools are cleaned and dried thoroughly.
- Don’t Share Personal Items: Avoid sharing combs, hats, brushes, or towels.
- Handle Pets with Care: Ringworm can be contracted from animals, even if they show no obvious signs. Vet check and treatment are wise.
- Educate & Contain: Teach children about the risk and ask schools/kindergartens to be informed of any cases.
- Maintain Healthy, Dry Scalp: Keep it clean and dry—fungus thrives in moist settings.
Why This Guide Works for Medium
This version of the blog is both reader-friendly and informative—perfect for Medium’s audience. It employs clean formatting (headers, bullet points, a table) and conversational yet authoritative tone. Plus, it’s concise enough to keep attention while still being rich in content.
Final Tips for Publishing on Medium
- Add Visuals: Use relevant, clean images—perhaps depicting scalp symptoms (non-disturbing) or diagrams of fungal spread.
- Include Local Context (Optional): Since you’re based in Delhi, consider mentioning local clinics, fungal infection prevalence, or availability of treatment options—if relevant and sourced.
- Engagement: Invite comments with questions like, “Have you encountered fungal scalp infections? What helped you the most?”
This article was originally published on capilclinic and has been republished here with permission.