Tinea infection can be found on the head, body, foot, or groin. It occurs primarily in children. You are more likely to have heard tinea called by its generic name; Ringworm. Ringworm is not a worm or a parasite, but a fungal infection that feeds on keratin. Keratin is a protein that helps form hair, nails, and your epidermis (skin’s outer layer). Depending on the region of the body it is found, you might have also heard it called “athletes’ foot” or “jock itch.”
When found on the scalp, it is usually accompanied by itchy, scaling areas of patchy alopecia (hair loss). Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck are commonly seen and felt with tinea capitis.
Tinea capitis is contracted from person to person contact or animal to person contact, or from a contaminated object, such as a comb, brush, or hat. Dogs and cats, but especially kittens and puppies are the most common culprits. Of the common farm animals, cows, goats, pigs, and horses can also transmit ringworm to humans.
Treatment
Tinea capitis is much more difficult to treat than other forms of tinea, and can lead to more severe versions of the disease called Kerion and Favus, which will not be covered here.
Unlike jock itch, athletes’ foot, or typical ring worm, treatment for tinea capitis has to be an oral antifungal, as topical antifungal creams have poor penetration of the hair follicles. Treatment is a daily oral medication for 6 to 12 weeks, and it is imperative that patient has close follow up to watch for positive response to treatment and resolution. Typical ringworm, jock itch, or athletes’ foot can be treated with topical over-the-counter creams daily for up to 6 weeks, or until a week after lesions disappear.