Tinea capitis
Tinea Capitis
Tinea capitis (pronounced: /ˈtiːniə kəˈpɪtɪs/) is a common dermatophyte infection that primarily affects the scalp. The term is derived from the Latin words 'tinea', meaning 'worm', and 'capitis', meaning 'head'.
Causes
Tinea capitis is caused by a type of fungi known as dermatophytes. These fungi thrive in warm, moist environments and can infect the skin, hair, and nails. The most common dermatophytes that cause tinea capitis include Trichophyton and Microsporum species.
Symptoms
The symptoms of tinea capitis may vary, but often include itching, redness, and scaling of the scalp. In severe cases, it can lead to hair loss and the formation of alopecia patches.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of tinea capitis is typically made through clinical examination and confirmed with a microscopic examination of the hair or a culture of the scalp.
Treatment
Treatment for tinea capitis usually involves the use of oral antifungal medication, such as griseofulvin or terbinafine. Topical antifungal creams or shampoos may also be used in conjunction with oral medication.
Prevention
Prevention strategies for tinea capitis include maintaining good personal hygiene, avoiding sharing personal items like combs or hats, and treating infected pets, as they can be a source of infection.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tinea capitis
- Wikipedia's article - Tinea capitis
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski