Tinea%20capitis%20(pediatric) Patient Education
Patient Education
- Educate the patient/guardian about the contagiousness of the disease
- Explain that sharing of toys or personal objects (eg combs and hairbrushes) can spread the infection, thus should be avoided
- Identify and treat asymptomatic carriers including family members, caretakers and playmates
- Treat or remove animals or pets infected with M canis
- Disinfect belongings of infected patients such as hairbrushes, combs, beddings, etc
- Reassure the parent/caregiver that patients receiving appropriate treatment for tinea capitis may attend school 1 week after initiation of treatment if infection is caused by anthropophilic species (T tonsurans, T violaceum, T soudanense, M audouinii) or immediately if caused by other dermatophytes
- Haircuts, shaving of the head and wearing a cap during treatment are usually unnecessary
- Follow-up visits are needed for assessment of treatment response
- Close contacts of patients exhibiting symptoms may consider testing, since fungal infections caused by anthropophilic species are highly contagious