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tinea%20capitis%20(pediatric)
TINEA CAPITIS (PEDIATRIC)
Treatment Guideline Chart
Tinea capitis lesions are a type of contagious dermatophytosis that are found on the scalp, hair follicles and/or surrounding skin.
It is most common in the crowded areas as infection originates from contact with a pet or an infected person and asymptomatic carriage persists indefinitely.
It primarily affects children 3-7 year of age.
The causative agents are the genus Trichophyton and Microsporum.
Cardinal clinical feature is the combination of inflammation with hair breakage and loss.

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
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