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Pediatric Tinea Capitis

Recognition and Management

  • Therapy in Practice
  • Published:
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Tinea capitis (ringworm of the head) is the most common dermatophytosis of childhood with an increasing incidence worldwide. If suspected clinically, further diagnostic procedures, including direct microscopy and culture, should be performed. Other scalp alterations, such as seborrheic dermatitis, atopic eczema, psoriasis, alopecia areata, folliculitis, and pseudopelade, may mimic ringworm of the head and must be identified.

A proven fungal infection of scalp skin and hairs warrants immediate initiation of systemic treatment. At present, only oral griseofulvin is approved for therapy of scalp ringworm in children by health authorities. However, the advent of several newer antifungal agents such as itraconazole, fluconazole, and terbinafine has broadened the therapeutic armamentarium in recent years. These agents offer shorter treatment intervals, and their adverse effects and drug interaction profiles appear to be well within acceptable limits.

In patients with tinea capitis, systemic therapy at weight-dependent dosages for an appropriate amount of time in conjunction with topical supportive measures will help to prevent disfiguring hair loss, permanent formation of scar tissue, spread of fungal organisms to other cutaneous regions, and infection of other persons.

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Acknowledgments

The authors received unrestricted financial grants and/or participated in clinical trials by Pfizer, Novartis, and Janssen. The professional assistance of Mrs Marga Mittermaier in preparing the mycological specimens is highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteiner Str. 29, Munich, D-80802, Germany

    Matthias Möhrenschlager, Hans Peter Seidl, Johannes Ring & Dietrich Abeck

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  1. Matthias Möhrenschlager
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  2. Hans Peter Seidl
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  4. Dietrich Abeck
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Correspondence to Matthias Möhrenschlager.

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Möhrenschlager, M., Seidl, H.P., Ring, J. et al. Pediatric Tinea Capitis. Am J Clin Dermatol 6, 203–213 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2165/00128071-200506040-00001

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