Scalp ringworm is a common ailment in many parts of the world, and the proper medical term for it is tinea capitis. Although ringworm brings to mind the startling image of a parasitic worm, tinea capitis is a fungus. This fungus earned the common title “ringworm” because of the ring-like lesions that it causes.
Scalp ringworm is most common in school age children, and since it is highly contagious, it quickly spreads from friend to friend. Even though they may be carriers of the fungus, adults rarely develop tinea capitis symptoms unless their immune system is compromised.
Symptoms of Scalp Ringworm
The tinea capitis fungus is caused by dermatophytes which settle into the scalp and hair shafts. These dermatophytes feed on the protein keratin causing the hair to become brittle or even fall out.
Scaling of the skin, itching and redness are additional symptoms. If not treated promptly, scalp ringworm can develop to the point of having pus-filled blisters.
Sources of the Tinea Capitis Fungus
The tinea capitis fungus prefers warm, moist environments, but it can also live temporarily on inanimate items such as combs, pillows or clothing that have been infected by someone with ringworm. As mentioned earlier, adults and even some children can be exposed to spores of the ringworm fungus and become carriers of it even though they never develop the symptoms themselves. Dogs and cats are other possible hosts for tinea capitis.
Prevention of Scalp Ringworm
To be honest, the prevention of tinea capitis is difficult, especially when the tiny spores are coming from an asymptomatic carrier. However, there are beneficial preventative measures. Number one among these is: Never share combs, headgear, pillows or even headrests with others. This is especially important among school children! Another tip for avoiding ringworm infections is to keep your scalp as dry as possible. Fungi love a moist environment, so carefully drying your scalp after washing your hair or even after sweating a lot may encourage those ringworm spores to simply die instead of taking up residence.
A more aggressive, but sometimes necessary, form of avoiding scalp ringworm is preventative treatment. When a person or a pet bring tinea capitis into a household and it begins spreading quickly, it is wise to consider treating all the people and pets in the house. This will eradicate the fungus and prevent it from infecting and then re-infecting members of the household.
Treatment for Tinea Capitis
When prevention fails, there are a variety of efficient treatments for tinea capitis. Let me list a few for you:
Anti-fungal Shampoos- There are a variety of anti-fungal shampoos available for both people and their pets. The most efficient shampoos for human use have selenium sulfide (1%-2.5%) or ketoconazol in their list of ingredients. When used at least twice a day, shampoos with selenium sulfide and ketoconazol prevent the growth and spreading of the tinea capitis fungus. These shampoos are also a safe way to do preventative treatment. It is important to remember that during and after the treatment of scalp ringworm all contaminated combs, pillowcases, hair pins, etc… must be thrown away and replaced or else sterilized to prevent re-infection.
Vinegar- Believe it or not, both apple cider vinegar and white vinegar can be used in the battle against scalp ringworm. Fungi are only able to live in alkaline environments. By using a cotton swab to liberally apply vinegar to the ringworm lesions, you will raise the acidity of your skin and effectively kill the fungi. Treating the affected area of your scalp with vinegar two or three times each day, until you notice the lesions drying and fading, is usually sufficient.
Neem Oil- Neem oil is the “jack-of-trades” in the realm of natural medicines. It is effective against viruses, bacteria and fungi, such as tinea capitis. The neem oil will not only kill the ringworm, but will also decrease the inflammation and ease the discomfort that it causes. For the best results, use undiluted neem oil and apply it directly to the ringworm lesions. You may also want to take a supplement containing neem leaves. This would attack the ringworm from the inside and out!
Garlic- Garlic is another very versatile home remedy. It is widely used against internal parasites, bacteria and fungi. To use garlic against scalp ringworm, I would suggest that you cut a clove of garlic and carefully rub it on the lesions. If you prefer, you could press or grind the garlic into a paste and then spread it on the affected parts of the scalp. Allowing the paste to sit for 20-30 minutes would give the garlic time to sink into the scalp and hair shafts where it will reach even the deepest spores. Garlic capsules are easily purchased and taking them along with applying garlic topically will help guarantee a fast and full recovery.
I hope these over-the-counter treatments and natural remedies will be of help as you deal with tinea capitis. Scalp ringworm is quick to grow but slow to die, so it is essential to treat it faithfully every day until the symptoms disappear.
