What Is Tinea Capitis?
Article Sources
- 1. Ringworm (scalp). (2018, March 07). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918
- 2. Bergen, T. (2019, March 7). Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis) (999335125 771118940 C. Cobb DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Ed.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/tinea-capitis
- 3. Tinea Capitis. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/tinea-capitis
Tinea capitis is more commonly known as ringworm despite the fact that it is not a worm at all.2Bergen, T. (2019, March 7). Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis) (999335125 771118940 C. Cobb DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Ed.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/tinea-capitis It is actually a fungal infection that gets the name “ringworm” from the distinctive round bald patches that it causes on the scalp.1Ringworm (scalp). (2018, March 07). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918
Tinea capitis is common, highly contagious,3Tinea Capitis. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/tinea-capitis and can cause long-term complications. Treatment is possible, but it takes time. It is difficult to stop the infection from spreading, but some preventative measures may slow it down.
1. Who Is Likely to Have a Tinea Capitis Infection?
Tinea capitis most often affects children1Ringworm (scalp). (2018, March 07). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918 because they are often together in close quarters at home, school, or day care. It can also be difficult to prevent children from sharing items such as hats, brushes, or comb that can transmit the fungus from one person to another.
However, tinea capitis can affect anyone at any age. If one member of the family has it, other members of the family are more likely to be infected as well.
2. What Causes Tinea Capitis?
There are several species of fungus that can cause tinea capitis. They are called dermatophytes because they infect the skin, feeding on the dead tissue they find in the outer layer of the scalp.2Bergen, T. (2019, March 7). Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis) (999335125 771118940 C. Cobb DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Ed.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/tinea-capitis The heat from the body helps the dermatophytes to thrive, as does the moisture from sweat.
Tinea capitis is a fungal infection specific to the scalp. The different species of fungus that cause tinea capitis can affect other areas of the body, but those infections are given different names. For example, tinea pedis is a fungal infection of the feet, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, while tinea cruris affects the genitals and is more commonly known as jock itch. Ringworm that occurs elsewhere on the body is called tinea corporis.1Ringworm (scalp). (2018, March 07). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918
3. What Are the Symptoms of Tinea Capitis?
The most distinctive feature of tinea capitis is round bald patches on the scalp.3Tinea Capitis. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/tinea-capitis The infection attacks the shafts of hair, causing them to become brittle and break off. Sometimes the broken shafts of hair form visible little dark spots in the skin. These bald spots may start small and get bigger over time.1Ringworm (scalp). (2018, March 07). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918
The affected skin of the scalp can turn red or gray and scaly. It may also be itchy and painful. A person with ringworm may develop a low-grade fever, and lymph nodes may be swollen.2Bergen, T. (2019, March 7). Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis) (999335125 771118940 C. Cobb DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Ed.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/tinea-capitis
4. How Does Tinea Capitis Spread?
The fungus that causes tinea capitis can spread through the air,3Tinea Capitis. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/tinea-capitis but it more often spreads through contact with an infected person, skin to skin. Tinea capitis can also spread indirectly by coming into contact with an object that an infected person has used. Such objects include hair care tools (e.g., combs or brushes), bed linens, clothing, or towels.
Tinea capitis can affect animals as well as human beings. People coming into contact with an infected animal can contract the infection from them.1Ringworm (scalp). (2018, March 07). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918 Animals infected with ringworm may not show any signs or symptoms, meaning that people can be exposed without realizing it.
5. What Animals Can Be Carriers?
Ringworm is common among livestock, such as cows, horses, goats, and pigs.2Bergen, T. (2019, March 7). Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis) (999335125 771118940 C. Cobb DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Ed.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/tinea-capitis People, including children, who live in rural areas and often come into close contact with animals such as these may be more likely to contract tinea capitis. Children visiting a petting zoo should wash their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with the animals.
Common pets, such as dogs and cats, are also susceptible to ringworm, and people may get it from having close contact with pets. As with human beings, young animals tend to be more vulnerable than others, so people are more likely to get it from interacting with kittens or puppies.1Ringworm (scalp). (2018, March 07). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918
6. What Are the Possible Complications of Tinea Capitis?
Tinea capitis can cause a painful, severe inflammation of the scalp called kerion. Characterized by swelling, the formation of yellow crust, and pus drainage, kerion can cause the hair to fall out more in large clumps.1Ringworm (scalp). (2018, March 07). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918 Kerion can also cause permanent scars on the skin of the scalp. The hair loss that can result may be permanent.
Children with ringworm sometimes have to stay home from school and isolate themselves to avoid infecting others. Usually, once treatment starts, the child can return to school, but check with a doctor first.2Bergen, T. (2019, March 7). Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis) (999335125 771118940 C. Cobb DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Ed.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/tinea-capitis
7. How Is Tinea Capitis Diagnosed?
A doctor may take a sample of hair or skin to test it for fungal infection. This requires sending the sample to the lab for testing, and it can take up to three weeks for the results to come back. To examine the scalp carefully for signs of infection, the doctor may illuminate it with a special light called a Wood’s lamp.2Bergen, T. (2019, March 7). Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis) (999335125 771118940 C. Cobb DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Ed.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/tinea-capitis
However, measures such as these usually aren’t necessary to make a diagnosis of tinea capitis. Because the pattern of round bald patches is so distinctive, often a visual examination of the scalp, combined with questions about the course that the symptoms have taken, is sufficient to make the diagnosis.1Ringworm (scalp). (2018, March 07). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918
8. How Is Tinea Capitis Treated?
Doctors typically prescribe two types of treatments for tinea capitis. The patient should wash his or her hair with a medicated shampoo and take an oral anti-fungal medication. The shampoo does not treat symptoms, but it removes spores of the fungus from the hair. This helps to prevent the fungal infection from spreading to other parts of the body or to other people.1Ringworm (scalp). (2018, March 07). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918
The patient may need to take anti-fungal medication by mouth for up to eight weeks. Fatty foods, such as yogurt, cheese, ice cream, or whole milk, help with the absorption of the medication by the body.3Tinea Capitis. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/tinea-capitis Peanut butter may also help. Side effects of the medications include allergic reactions, headache, or upset stomach.2Bergen, T. (2019, March 7). Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis) (999335125 771118940 C. Cobb DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Ed.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/tinea-capitis Doctors should discuss these with their patients.
9. How Can Tinea Capitis Be Prevented?
Preventing tinea capitis can be a challenge. Not only are the fungal spores highly contagious, but they are also very common.1Ringworm (scalp). (2018, March 07). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-scalp/symptoms-causes/syc-20354918 Everyone in the family, especially children, should practice good hygiene habits, such as shampooing their hair regularly and washing their hands often. Tell children not to pet animals with bald patches on their bodies and, more importantly, not to share hats or personal items, such as combs or brushes.2Bergen, T. (2019, March 7). Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis) (999335125 771118940 C. Cobb DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Ed.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/tinea-capitis
If someone in the family already has ringworm, he or she should use separate brushes, combs, and towels, which should be washed often. Other people in the household can use the same medicated shampoo when washing their hair for approximately six weeks as a preventative measure.3Tinea Capitis. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/tinea-capitis
10. What Is the Prognosis for a Tinea Capitis Infection?
If tinea capitis is diagnosed and treated early, it should resolve completely without permanent hair loss or scarring.3Tinea Capitis. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/tinea-capitis However, it can take a while to recover from a case of ringworm. Signs of improvement may not show up for at least a month.
People who have had a case of ringworm do not become immune to it. Not only is reinfection possible,2Bergen, T. (2019, March 7). Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis) (999335125 771118940 C. Cobb DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Ed.). Retrieved October 21, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/tinea-capitis but the fungus can spread to other parts of the body. That’s why following the treatment plan prescribed by a doctor is so important.
