Head fungus (tinea capitis)

Of the Head fungus (tinea capitis) is an infection of the skin with so-called dermatophytes (skin fungi). The head fungus occurs mainly in children. It is assumed here that their immune system is not yet fully developed and is therefore susceptible to the pathogens. The head fungus (tinea capitis) is a contagious skin disease that i. d. Usually affects the hairy head.

What is a head fungus?

Of the Head fungus (tinea capitis) is an infection with skin fungi. This mostly occurs in children, but it can also affect adults as the head fungus is very contagious. The head fungus is transmitted by the following pathogens: Microsporum canis and various forms of Trichophyton. Free-range animals such as dogs and cats are often infected with the pathogens, from where they are transmitted to humans.

An infection with the microsporum canis pathogen can be recognized by the circular, hairless and sharply defined areas. In addition to broken hair, the scalp can be covered in grayish flakes. Infection with the pathogen Trichophyton is often accompanied by inflammatory reactions.

Furthermore, the hair also breaks off here, but the bald spots in the scalp are rather irregularly shaped and very reddened. The head fungus (tinea capitis) usually heals without consequences.

causes

Of the Head fungus will i. d. Usually transmitted by so-called head fungus. In Central Europe these are mainly Microsporum canis and several forms of Trichophyton. The pathogens are mainly transmitted by pets such as cats, dogs and guinea pigs.

Since the symptoms can conceal rashes, bald, round spots, dandruff, itching, inflammatory reactions, etc., other diseases, it must also be clarified whether there is another cause. The following diseases need to be clarified: psorisis, atopic eczema, seborrhea, contact eczema, pityriasis, carbuncle, etc.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

Head fungus can be recognized by its typical symptoms, which mainly affect the scalp and hair. The sick notice a noticeable skin rash relatively early, which occurs in connection with dandruff, burning sensation and itching. Bald, round areas in the hair, which are limited to a few, usually palm-sized areas, are also typical.

In addition, painful, weeping areas of the skin can form. These become inflamed in the course of the disease and secrete pus and tissue fluid. The lymph nodes are usually swollen and overly sensitive to pain. The hair of those affected is very delicate and breaks off quickly. Split ends occur in certain places, and the characteristic hair appearance with light areas and an unkempt look is created.

The hair itself is very greasy as a result of the secretions, which is usually found to be extremely uncomfortable by the sick. A deep infection can leave scars and sensory disorders on the scalp. If the pathogen is spread, a variety of general symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting, headache and a general feeling of illness can set in. Head fungus usually develops over the course of a few days and disappears after a few weeks with appropriate treatment.

Diagnosis & course

The diagnosis at Head fungus can be difficult at times. In order to start a suitable therapy, the pathogen must first be determined. Here a mushroom culture is created. For this, hair or hair stumps are removed from the affected area. The disadvantage of mushroom culture is that growing a pathogen can take anywhere from three to six weeks.

An infection with Microsporum canis can be detected with a UV lamp - the so-called Wood light. If there is an infection, this can be recognized by the yellowish-green fluorescence. However, since the sensitivity of the test is not very high, it is not sufficient for diagnosis alone.

The process is usually straightforward. Tinea capitis usually heals without complications. However, if the infection is deep, scars may remain. In this area, hair usually no longer grows afterwards. The healing proceeds in adults i. d. Usually faster than with children. The healing phase also depends on the length of the hair. With head fungus, it is therefore recommended to cut the hair short, as this can shorten the treatment time considerably.

Complications

The head fungus causes very unpleasant complaints on the patient's head. In most cases, the affected person's hair will break off and severe dandruff will appear. The scalp may also be red, itchy and painful. The hair itself often becomes greasy as a result, and the person concerned is less aesthetic.

The quality of life is in most cases greatly reduced by the head fungus. It is not uncommon for those affected to suffer from mental illnesses or depression, which can be triggered by inferiority complexes or by a reduced sense of self-worth. Infections can also occur, which can also leave scars on the scalp.

The treatment itself does not lead to further complications or discomfort. With the help of medication or creams, the symptoms can be limited and treated. However, the duration of the treatment itself can be several weeks. As a rule, the affected person also has to cut his hair short, which can also lead to psychological complaints. Life expectancy remains unaffected by the head fungus. Furthermore, the patient can get sick again from this disease.

When should you go to the doctor?

If you have dandruff, brittle hair and an oily scalp, you should always see a doctor. It may be caused by a head fungus that needs to be diagnosed and treated. Medical advice is required if the symptoms mentioned cannot be alleviated or even worsened through the use of care products. If the symptoms have not subsided after one to two weeks, the family doctor should be consulted. Swollen lymph nodes, repeated infections or increasing malaise are also clear warning signs that indicate a serious illness.

People who experience symptoms are best to contact a general practitioner or a dermatologist. Psoriasis patients and people with seborrheic disease in particular should seek medical advice. The risk groups also include people with another chronic skin disease. Children, the elderly, and pregnant women should seek medical advice if additional symptoms occur or if serious complications arise. If the head fungus affects the mental state, a therapist may also need to be called in.

Treatment & Therapy

Of the Head fungus is treated both systemically and locally. Furthermore, the treatment must take into account whether adults or children are affected.

Systemic treatment in adults includes the use of antifungal drugs, which are fungicidal drugs. The following active ingredients are approved for the treatment of head fungus: griseofulvin, terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole. However, only the active ingredient griseofulvin is approved for the treatment of children.

With drug treatment, it is important that the drugs are taken for a sufficiently long period of time. The therapy covers a minimum period of four to eight weeks. Even if there are no more symptoms, the drug must continue to be taken. Treatment is only sufficient when the doctor says that the drug can be discontinued.

In addition to the systemic treatment, there is also a local treatment with special antifungal creams that are applied to the skin. In addition to the scalp, the hair must also be treated, as the head fungus also spreads on the hair. There are special anti-fungal shampoos for this. To shorten the treatment time, it makes sense to cut off long hair, as it may Otherwise it can take several months to successfully treat the head fungus.

The treatment of tinea capitis should only be stopped when no further pathogens can be detected by another fungal culture.

Outlook & forecast

If no expert treatment is started, the prognosis is rather poor. Because the disease can spread. Often the appearance suffers, which leads to psychological problems. In the worst case, scarring can develop and hair will no longer grow back in these areas. A permanent visual restriction marks the head. In addition, the risk of infection for other people must not be ignored. A transfer to uninvolved persons is possible. Failure to treat the head fungus is harmful both to the person concerned and to those around him.

On the other hand, there is a positive outlook when starting therapy. Medicines currently available fight the pathogen sustainably, provided the treatment is not stopped prematurely. In addition to antimycotics, creams and shampoos have also become established. Children have to accept restrictions in the choice of medication, but these do not hinder the success of the treatment. It is not uncommon for patients to have their hair short. This can lead to a temporary psychological stressful situation. If a fungal culture no longer shows any pathogens, the treatment was successful. The patient can continue his normal life. Several months pass before a therapy is completed.

prevention

An infection with the Head fungus can be prevented to a limited extent. Suspicious animals should never be touched. The most common sources of infection are cats and guinea pigs. Because of this, they should be checked regularly by a veterinarian. If the pets show signs of an infection with the head fungus, the pets should be given to the vet in quarantine.

In order not to spread the pathogen further, the following rules should be followed:

Hairbrushes, combs, towels, washcloths, bedding, clothing, plush toys, and other toys must be thoroughly disinfected. This also applies to the storage areas on which the objects lie. The same goes for toys and pet beds.

Children must be exempted from kindergarten and school. The doctor must decide on a case-by-case basis when these can be visited again. Facilities must be notified of the infestation so that they can take precautionary measures to prevent it from spreading among students.

As long as the head fungus is present, a visit to the hairdresser should be avoided at all costs.

If tinea capitis was diagnosed, the source of the infection should also be searched for. It is helpful if all family members create a mushroom culture. In addition, the house must be thoroughly disinfected. A renewed infection with the head fungus can only be prevented if the focus of infection has been found and eliminated.

Aftercare

The disease heals successfully through therapy. However, this does not eliminate the risk of renewed infection. Patients are informed about the causes of the head fungus as part of the initial treatment. You are then responsible for avoiding contact with possible triggers. This mainly includes infected pets, but also people.

Everyday objects close to the head must be cleaned thoroughly. Scheduled follow-up examinations are not provided because of the freedom from symptoms after initial treatment. In the case of a persistent fungal disease, therapy can take months. During this time, doctors clarify the question of whether tinea capitis is still present by starting a mushroom culture. Patients are often burdened by the negative change in their appearance.

In addition, there is a necessary isolation in order not to infect other people. In addition to these complications, scarring is sometimes evident. Psychological support may be indicated in the event of a problem with the changed appearance. The patient then learns to cope with his situation and to adopt a self-confident attitude to life.

Scheduled follow-up examinations therefore play a subordinate role in tinea capitis. Medicines cause the disease to heal over time. Complications can only be expected in the context of long therapy over months, which the follow-up care must deal with.

You can do that yourself

Like other skin fungi, head fungus can also be treated with various home remedies. A tried and tested remedy is apple cider vinegar, which should be regularly applied to the affected areas with a piece of cotton wool. The apple cider vinegar is best not diluted for this purpose.

In addition, head fungus can be treated with tea tree oil. The tea tree oil contains a naturally occurring antibiotic that can be used against fungi and other germs. This is also applied to the affected areas of the skin with a piece of cotton wool. This treatment is then repeated regularly until there is improvement.

Another home remedy for fungi is natural yogurt. This can be applied to the affected areas and should be allowed to act for about 15 minutes. Then the yogurt is washed off with warm water.

In addition, head fungus can also be treated with lavender oil. The essential oils in lavender oil have been shown to help rid the skin of fungus. The lavender oil should also be applied to the affected areas with a cotton swab. If the person concerned is prone to skin irritation, then it is advisable to dilute the lavender oil before the treatment. This treatment should also be repeated regularly until there is an improvement.