How to treat tinea capitis?

Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
Updated on September 29, 2024
00:00
00:00

Tinea capitis, this disease can cause symptoms such as itching, scaling, crusting, and even thick discharge and erosion on the scalp. To treat tinea capitis, it is crucial to maintain cleanliness of the head, and to disinfect daily-used personal items. Furthermore, it is necessary to use topical antifungal medications. For severe cases of tinea capitis, oral medications like ketoconazole or clotrimazole may be required (use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor).

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
38sec home-news-image

Is tinea capitis a skin disease?

Tinea capitis, a type of skin disease, is a superficial fungal infection treated in the dermatology department and is commonly seen in children. There are four types of tinea capitis: yellow tinea, white tinea, black tinea, and pus tinea. It spreads through contact, including both indirect and direct contact, and is highly contagious. For those diagnosed with tinea capitis, treatments such as hair plucking and antifungal medications are recommended (medication should be used under the guidance of a physician).

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
31sec home-news-image

Is tinea capitis contagious?

Tinea capitis is contagious and has a relatively strong infectivity. It is especially prone to infect infants, children, and people with compromised immune functions due to underlying diseases. It can be spread through contact, including both direct and indirect contacts. For instance, sharing towels or other personal hygiene items can lead to infection, and contact with animals such as cats or dogs that have dermatophytosis can also transmit the disease.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
37sec home-news-image

Tinea Capitis Clinical Symptoms

Tinea capitis varies in clinical symptoms depending on its classification. If it is yellow tinea, it presents as yellow crusts on the scalp, with ulcers or erosion visible beneath the crusts. If it is white tinea, white scaly patches can be seen, generally with clear boundaries that may merge. If it is black dot tinea, hair breaking off shortly after emerging from the scalp appears as small black dots. If it is pustular tinea, the scalp shows redness and swelling with pus formation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
32sec home-news-image

Foods to avoid with tinea capitis

Patients with tinea capitis need to avoid certain foods in their diet. First, do not eat foods that are high in fat, such as fatty meats and lard. Secondly, avoid spicy and irritating foods, as consuming overly spicy and irritating foods can increase dandruff and cause scalp itching, aggravating tinea capitis. Finally, do not eat chili peppers, mustard, raw onions, raw ginger, and alcoholic beverages, and be sure to maintain cleanliness and actively treat tinea capitis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
34sec home-news-image

What department should I go to for tinea capitis?

Tinea capitis, the disease should be treated in dermatology. Because tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp and hair, it is classified as a type of dermatophytic infection. Depending on the pathogen and its manifestations, the types are different, including pustular tinea, white tinea, black tinea, and yellow tinea. To treat tinea capitis, antifungal treatment is essential. A light diet is recommended, and one should avoid stimulating foods such as hot pot and barbecue.