Guidelines for the Management of Tinea Capitis in Children
May 2010
in “
Pediatric dermatology
”
tinea capitis systemic treatment topical antifungals hair follicles griseofulvin Microsporum species terbinafine itraconazole fluconazole Trichophyton species selenium sulfide ketoconazole shampoos spore carriage reinfection ringworm of the scalp oral antifungals topical treatments hair roots Selsun Blue Nizoral
TLDR Systemic treatment is necessary for tinea capitis in children, with griseofulvin preferred for Microsporum infections.
The guidelines for managing tinea capitis (TC) in children, published by the European Society for Pediatric Dermatology, emphasized that systemic treatment is essential as topical antifungals do not penetrate hair follicles. Griseofulvin remained the preferred treatment for Microsporum species due to its superior efficacy and cost-effectiveness, despite its longer treatment duration. For Trichophyton species, newer oral antifungals like terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole were effective with shorter treatment durations but were more expensive. Topical treatments, such as selenium sulfide or ketoconazole shampoos, were recommended as adjuncts to reduce spore carriage and reinfection. Regular follow-ups were advised to monitor treatment efficacy and adjust duration based on clinical response.
