Treatment of Tinea Capitis: A Critical Appraisal

The document critically reviewed treatment options for tinea capitis in children, noting that modern antifungals like terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole did not significantly reduce treatment duration compared to griseofulvin, which remained the "gold standard" despite varying international dosages. The ineffectiveness of these antifungals in children was linked to pharmacokinetics and anatomical features of prepubescent hair follicles. Griseofulvin was effective in Europe, while itraconazole and fluconazole were better for Microsporum infections, and terbinafine for Trichophyton infections. The study highlighted the need for clinical studies on topical therapies, more data on systemic antifungals' safety in children, and recommendations for disinfecting surfaces and managing infected pets.