ringworm on head
Does your child have ringworm on head?
Do you want to know what is a head ringworm disease?
What is head ringworm or dermatophytosis and fungal infection of children's scalp and what are its symptoms?
How is head ringworm disease diagnosed and What are the treatments for ringworm disease on the scalp?
What you will read next:
What is ringworm disease?
You do not see any parasites or worms in this disease. Contrary to what the name of this disease indicates, it is not caused by worms or parasites. Skin fungi or dermatophytes are the cause of ringworm disease.
The reason for this name is that the lesions that appear after a fungal infection on the skin or also on the scalp or face is a circular or oval lesion. It has a smooth and flat center and has an active, prominent, red border or margin that gradually expands.
Due to the appearance of this skin lesion, this naming has been done and it is known as skin ringworm disease.
What are dermatophyte infections of the skin or dermatophytosis and fungal infections?
It expands in areas of the skin that are prone to excessive sweating, such as the scalp, the groin, buttocks, legs, and upper thighs and it may also be seen on the hands and feet.
In the case of ringworm or fungal infections of the scalp, children are more susceptible than adults.
Another important point is that this disease, which is a fungal infection, needs immediate treatment and is very contagious, and the infected child should be examined by a doctor during the illness, receive treatment and complete the duration of treatment and finally, be examined by a physician to assess the response to re-treatment.
What causes dermatophyte or fungal infections of the skin or so-called dermatophytosis?
What are the factors that cause ringworm or fungal infections of the scalp?
We said that fungal infections of the scalp, which can lead to baldness, are more common in children than adults. Children can get ringworm infections in a variety of ways, including:
- Child playing with pets
- Playing with contaminated animals that may be present in nature.
- Child playing in contaminated soil
- Direct skin-to-skin contact with a sick and infected person or asymptomatic carriers of the fungus
- The child touches the affected area and then rubs the infected hand on other parts of the body
- Sharing objects with sick people or asymptomatic carriers of the fungus, For example, the use of contaminated combs, clothes and sports equipment.
- Use of public swimming pools, public baths
Because pathogenic fungi grow more in hot and humid areas.
What are the symptoms of scalp ringworm?
Children are said to show signs and symptoms of ringworm skin infection 4 to 10 days after exposure to the source of infection.
These symptoms may include the following:
Itchy skin that usually appears on one side of the face or body.
Ring-like lesions on the infected area that gradually become larger in size.
The center of the lesion is smoother and flatter, and the surrounding area is more active and prominent.
As the lesion enlarges, the center of the lesion becomes smoother and the margins become redder, more prominent, and more scaly. Wound lesions full of purulent secretions may develop following an enhanced immune response to hair follicles.
On the scalp and in the facial area, hair loss occurs in the infected area and as a result, bald spots can be seen.
But nails can also be involved.
As we have said, fungi or dermatophytes that cause fungal infections of the skin, affect the skin and skin appendages, so they can affect the nails and hair shaft.
If the nails become infected, the infection can affect one or more people at the same time. The nails may become brittle, Spots may appear on the edges of the nails, The edges of the nails may become serrated and the nails may become white or yellowish and their thickness increases.
The most common site of dermatophytosis in children is the scalp. The disease first appears as a small rash that is itchy and eventually spreads. Blackheads, scaly spots, and blisters may even occur due to hair loss under the skin.
The scalp can be red, swollen and sensitive.
Risk factors
Some predisposing factors increase the risk of ringworm infection in children. These factors include:
Malnutrition, Poor hygiene in children, A child living in hot and humid climates, Weakening of the child's immune system following the use of immunosuppressive drugs, Child contact with other people with the disease, Child contact with pets carrying the fungus, Contact sports such as Wrestling or playing with peers who have skin-to-skin contact.
Side effects of ringworm disease on the scalp
Ringworm infections, if they occur in children and are not treated, can cause side effects such as:
Itchy lesions, damage and scar in the skin
Hair Loss
Diagnosis
The doctor suspects fungal infection of the scalp by observing the lesions of the ringworm. after sampling is done by the doctor, the samples are sent to the laboratory and examined under a microscope, and the sample is also cultured to determine if the lesion is a fungal infection.
treatment
Fungi that are the product of ringworm infections in children are fed up with creatine.
The protein that is present in the top layer of the skin as well as in the nails is called creatine. These skin fungi, called dermatophytes, can stay on the skin indefinitely, so there is a good chance that the infection recurs.
In the first step, treatment is determined by the type of symptoms, the severity of the symptoms, and the general health of the child. In mild cases of ringworm, only shampoos and antifungal ointments may be used. However, when the disease becomes severe and also affects the nails and scalp, a stronger oral medication should be prescribed by a doctor.
Children often get fungal infections of the scalp.
Your doctor will consider the following options for treating ringworm:
The antifungal drug should be taken orally for 4 to 8 weeks.
Antifungal shampoos are an adjunct treatment that remove the fungus spores on the surface of the hair but do not penetrate into the affected hair shaft.
If the child has a secondary rash, abscess or chorion or bacterial infection, antibiotics should be prescribed to reduce the inflammation.
What are the complications of scalp ringworm infection?
These lesions are itchy, and bald spots and sores on the baby's head, discolored, scaly patches can form and irritate the baby anywhere on the body. These symptoms can make the skin irritated and painful if left untreated. And if blisters and cracks in the skin become infected, the condition will get worse over time and a bacterial infection can lead to a fungal infection.
The risk of transmitting and spreading the infection from the affected area and other parts of the infected person to other parts of the body of other people who come in contact with the infected person should be considered.
How long does it take for a ringworm infection to completely heal?
If left untreated, ringworm in children resolves spontaneously in mild cases, but the recovery period is often long and lasts several months, and waiting for spontaneous treatment of the patient is not recommended by doctors because Improper handling can lead to chronic infection and permanent scarring. Symptoms of ringworm infection can be reduced within two to four weeks in mild cases. In severe cases, the course of treatment may last up to 12 weeks.
How can ringworm infection and disease be prevented?
Wet underwear and socks should be changed and the child's sportswear should be washed and changed thoroughly and regularly, and the child should use dry underwear. The child should be kept out of contact with the infected person and animal. Avoid using clothes, towels, brushes, combs and swimming caps with others. Wear open and loose-fitting shoes to the child.
If your child uses the pool, make sure he or she is wearing the right slippers and shoes.
Wash your baby's swimwear, bedding, and underwear, and then dry them properly. Keep your baby's skin and nails clean. Wash your hands with soap and water. If your child participates in contact sports, make sure he or she takes a shower in a clean place after each exercise session.
It is a good idea to teach your child proper hygiene habits and ask him or her to wash his hands thoroughly after playing with pets and your child should not use tight clothes. The child's clothes and covers should be loose and made of natural fibers. Your child needs to take shower and change clothes daily. Washing and drying your baby's skin thoroughly after a shower and Sweating activities and swimming is one of the most basic steps in prevention.
Necessary advice and facts about infection and disease of ringworm
It is as follows:
These people are better off on a low-sugar, low-carb diet
Keep their skin dry and do not scratch the itchy areas
If they have symptoms, they should not come into contact with pets or even healthy people.
Sometimes over-the-counter antifungal creams and lotions are effective in treating ringworm, but most people do not use the drug properly.
When you want to use the medicine, the skin of the area should be dry and you should continue to use that medicine in the affected area for at least another week. Even if you see that your symptoms have improved somewhat for about a week, you should continue the treatment because the fungus are microscopic and cannot be seen with the naked eye and When skin lesions disappear, there may still be fungus that is invisible to the naked eye.
After the infection is gone, the damaged skin returns to normal and hair grows back after the affected area has healed.
In general, observing public health is one of the most basic, main and effective steps to prevent the spread of ringworm.
The World Health Organization says that hygiene is a very effective preventive measure, so one should keep oneself clean and dry, shampoo one's hair regularly, and avoid sharing personal belongings with others.