Ringworm

AKA: tinea capitis, tinea tonsurans, ringworm of the scalp, superficial mycosis or dermatophytosis

  1. What is it?  Ringworm is a fungal infection.
  2. What does is look like?  Hair loss is patchy in round clumps, but can also include hair broken above the root.  May be accompanied by flaking and scales.  Doing a Wood’s lamp test helps diagnosis.
  3. Who does is affect the most?  There are no factors that cause this and its incidence is increasing worldwide.  It is contagious when left untreated!
  4. Solutions: Oral medication, griseofulvin, is given for 8 weeks in conjunction with Nizoral shampoo.  Medical experts emphasize that medication must be taken for the full 8 weeks.

Comments are closed.