Tinea capitis is also known as head fungus. The fungal infection leads to circular, scaly, hairless areas on the head. The disease is contagious and should therefore be treated immediately. Animals often transmit the pathogens to humans.
Here you will find further information and selected tinea capitis specialists and centers.
Tinea capitis, also known as head fungus, is an infection of the hairy scalp. The infection is caused by dermatophytes, a form of filamentous fungus.
As tinea capitis is contagious, it should be treated immediately when the first symptoms appear. Children are particularly frequently affected due to their still weak immune system.
The fungal disease usually manifests itself as round, scaly and hairless areas on the scalp.
The pathogen often spreads from animals to humans.
Head fungus can be caused by various types of pathogens. These include, among others
In Central Europe, Microsporum canis is mainly responsible for head fungus infections.
Microsporum canis is mainly spread by animals such as
transmitted. Animals often carry the infection without it showing externally. Children in particular are easily infected when petting animals. Wild stray dogs and cats in southern Europe in particular are often infected with tinea capitis.
In addition to animals, however, contaminated objects can also transmit the pathogens. These can include
be.
Transmission from person to person is also possible. If children put their heads close together when playing, the pathogen can be transmitted via the hair.
Tinea capitis is always associated with a serious change in the surface of the skin.
Head fungus can manifest itself in various symptoms. However, the symptoms do not clearly indicate the exact pathogen responsible.
Tinea capitis superficialis is a common manifestation of head fungus. The causative pathogen here is usually Microsporum canis. This form of scalp fungus shows characteristic, circular areas on the scalp.
The hair that grows in these areas breaks off just above the surface of the skin. This is why at most fine hair stubble can be seen here. In addition, the round areas are covered with a large number of gray and dense scales.
The number of hairless areas can vary from patient to patient. Some patients only have one such area, others may have several.
If the pathogen Trichophyton is the cause of tinea capitis superficialis, inflammation is often also present.
Circular, scaly areas on the head indicate a tinea capitis infection © Kateryna_Kon | AdobeStock
Another form of head fungus is tinea capitis profunda. The causative pathogen is Trichophyton verrucosum. Inflammatory reactions also occur here.
Purulent and highly inflamed areas appear on the scalp. They are often accompanied by crusting and scars form on the patient's scalp.
Other common symptoms are
The patient's lymph nodes on the neck and nape may also be swollen. This form of tinea capitis is therefore very painful.
In most cases, this form of head fungus is transmitted by cattle. However, transmission via contaminated objects and surfaces is also possible.
The symptoms of tinea capitis are not clear. There are many other skin diseases with similar symptoms. Therefore, several medical examinations are usually necessary to definitively diagnose a head fungus.
These include, for example
are skin diseases with similar symptoms.
One method of detecting a head fungus is to use a native preparation. The doctor disinfects the focus of infection with alcohol and removes some hair stubble from the peripheral area. If necessary, existing pus crusts can also be removed with tweezers.
The tissue sample is coated with a TEAH solution or potassium hydroxide solution on a microscope slide. It is then placed in a moist chamber for about 5 to 10 minutes. The specimen is then analyzed under a microscope. A trained eye can recognize the hyphae and spores of the pathogen under the microscope. This confirms a head fungus infection.
However, the exact pathogen cannot be identified on the basis of the microscopic examination. A fungal culture is necessary for this. The tissue sample is also used for this.
Doctors cultivate the pathogens in the laboratory. The pathogens multiply at room temperature and form a culture. Over the next three to six weeks, the doctors check the culture once a week.
To identify the pathogen, they assess, among other things
Microsporum canis fluoresces under UV light. A simple examination method is therefore to illuminate the infected areas with a Wood light. If the irradiated areas fluoresce yellowish-green, this is a clear sign of infection by Microsporum canis.
The treatment of head fungus differs depending on the type of pathogen and the age of the patient. Treatment is different for children than for adults.
In an adult patient, in addition to the antifungal agent griseofulvin, the newer antimycotics such as
are used. The active ingredients are available in tablet form. The therapy is continued until no more pathogens are detected.
For children suffering from head fungus, however, only griseofulvin is currently approved in Germany. Children under the age of one often cannot tolerate this medication. If there is no other alternative, fluconazole can be used.
In addition to this systemic therapy, however, local treatment is always necessary. The antifungal agents are then applied locally directly to the affected areas. Antifungal agents used include
These drugs are also recommended for close contacts to reduce the risk of infection. Their use shortens the duration of systemic treatment.
In order to reach all foci of infection, those affected must treat their entire hair daily with an antifungal agent for a week. They should also use a special hair shampoo twice a week.
The length of the patient's hair can also influence the duration of treatment. It may therefore be advisable to shorten the hair or beard. Shaving alone greatly reduces the infection load of the head fungus. Shaving is advisable at the start of treatment and 3 to 4 weeks later.
In order to guarantee the success of the treatment, numerous follow-up examinations are also necessary. The patient is checked for any remaining pathogens.
The treatment is complete when no more pathogens are detected in the preparation or in the fungal culture.
In adults, athlete's foot heals more quickly than in children. It is therefore considerably more difficult to treat tinea capitis in younger patients. In addition, not every patient tolerates the agent that is best suited for treatment.
Treatment can take two weeks. It takes longer for weeping wounds.
It is not possible to completely prevent infection with tinea capitis pathogens. However, some precautionary measures can reduce the risk of infection.
You should not touchanimals with a conspicuous appearance and symptoms. These include stray dogs or cats in southern countries. In particular, scaly, circular areas on the body are an important warning sign.
Regularly hotwash objects that come into contact with the head or hair of the affected person. This will help to prevent further spread and re-infection after treatment. This includes
Do not use
with other people, especially if the other person could be infected.
If you are infected, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Prompt treatment will help prevent the spread of the disease and the infection of other people.
After diagnosis and during treatment, you should have as little contact with other people as possible. This also includes staying away from school, kindergarten or work.
If your own pet has spread the infection, you must have it treated by a vet.
