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What Are The Causes Of Recurring Scalp Fungal Infection?

The causes of recurring scalp fungal infection are:

  • Failure of treatment
  • Contact with other infected persons
  • Contact with infected pets
  • Exposure to contaminated fomites

Ask questions to doctors in Kuala Lumpur for a better understanding of any of your health issues including fungal infection.

Fungal infection can affect your hair, nails, and skin. Dermatophyte is the main cause of fungal infection. Dermatophytes are a type of fungi with filaments and metabolize keratin which presents in our skin, hair, and nails. There are a few types of dermatophyte infections. They are Tinea corporis, Tinea pedis, Tinea cruris, Tinea capitis, and Tinea unguium. Other types of fungi are Candida albicans, Aspergillus, Candida neoformans, Histoplasma, and many more.

 Tinea capitis

Tinea capitis is a common scalp fungal infection and most cases affect children. Shaving head will not stop hair fall caused by a fungal infection. Instead, fungal infection is the one that caused the hair to fall. Treating scalp infection is the key to achieve a cure. The scalp fungal infection is also known as tinea capitis. The main treatment is oral antifungal such as griseofulvin, terbinafine, fluconazole, and itraconazole. Patients frequently presented with itchiness and hair loss.

  • Tinea corporis is an infection of body surfaces other than the feet, groin, face, scalp hair, or beard
  • Tinea cruris is the infection of the groin
  • Tinea pedis is the infection of the foot
  • Tinea unguium is the infection of the nails
  • Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp hair
  • Tinea faciei is the infection of the face
  • Tinea manuum is the infection of the hand
  • Tinea barbae is the infection of the beard

  Tinea corporis

It is the skin infection other than the hand, face, groin, or feet. The causative organisms are T. rubrum, Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum canis, T. interdigitale, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton violaceum, and Microsporum audouinii. The clinical features are:

Itchiness

Redness

Round or oval scaling patches or plaque

The test to confirm the diagnosis of Tinea corporis is similar to Tinea pedis. Tinea corporis has a positive outcome when treated with topical antifungals such as azoles, allylamines, butenafine, ciclopirox, and tolnaftate. Oral antifungal is the alternative if topical antifungal fails.

  Tinea cruris

This condition is a dermatophyte infection of the crural fold. The causative organisms are T. rubrum, E. floccosum, and T. interdigitale. The clinical feature is the presence of red and elevated patch on the thigh. The diagnosis can be confirmed with the same test done for Tinea corporis and Tinea pedis. The treatment is similar to Tinea corporis.

  Tinea pedis

Tinea pedis or athlete’s foot is the most common fungal infection caused by a dermatophyte. Tinea pedis usually take place between your toes and it is frequently accompanied by Tinea unguium, Tinea cruris, and Tinea manuum. Tinea pedis usually affects males of the younger age group after the age of puberty. The common organisms that cause tinea pedis are Trichophyton interdigitale, Trichophyton rubrum, and Epidermophyton floccosum. Patients usually got the infections via direct contact with the organisms. Walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces is a risk factor for this condition. The clinical features are:

  • Red and itchy scales or erosions
  • Fissures between toes
  • Vesicular lesions
  • Bullous lesions

This condition is diagnosed by skin scrapings and tested with a potassium hydroxide solution to detect the presence of the causative organism. Gram staining is important if a secondary bacterial infection is suspected. The goals of treatment are:

Relieve and reduce symptoms

Reduce the risk of secondary bacterial infection

Limit the spread of infection to other parts or other people

Topical antifungal is the treatment of choice. However, some patients may need oral antifungal. Ask the doctor for a better understanding of any of your health issues including fungal infection.