Scalp fungus or ringworm of the scalp is a condition which tends to develop small bald patches on the scalp, thereby affecting the hair shafts and follicles. If you are suffering from it, the experience can be really annoying. This article will explain some effective cures about this condition.
The medical name of scalp fungus is tinea capitis, which is also known as the ringworm of the scalp. It is a fungal infection caused by a group of mold-like fungi known as dermatophytes. This condition is mostly observed in kids and adolescents aged between 4 and 14. Studies reveal that almost 3-8% of people in the United States of America are affected by this condition. Scalp fungus is highly contagious and can affect anyone, those who have a weak immune system or are suffering from diseases like AIDS, diabetes or cancer are more prone to have severe effects of this condition on them. An untreated scalp fungus can cause severe effects like spreading of the infection at other parts of the body and permanent hair loss.
Treatment for Scalp Fungus
When a person is suffering from scalp fungus, it usually makes the scalp red and inflamed accompanied by itching, scaling and crusting of the scalp. There may be bald patches on the scalp, affecting the hair shafts and follicles. The hair becomes very fragile and comes up easily when pulled. The bald patches may have black dots in them and the patches may expand more and more with time. In order to save yourself from the pain, discomfort and the social embarrassment, treatment as early as possible is a must. There are both over the counter medications, as well as natural cures and home remedies for treating scalp fungus. Scroll down to learn about them.
☛ Medications and Drugs
It is highly recommended to get in touch with your healthcare specialist as soon as possible. He or she will examine your scalp and the symptoms. Your hair follicles and the scaly crust is collected and examined under the microscope to check for the presence of fungi. The following drugs and medications are used as treatment options.
Using Griseofulvin
These are oral medications that can be taken in the form of liquids or tablets that help cure the condition. These medications include Grifulvin V and Gris-Peg and the patient is required to take it for 6-8 weeks. The effect may not be visible right away, but completion of the entire course is important. Some people can also suffer some side effects like sensitivity to light, vomiting, diarrhea, faintness and fatigue.
Other Medications
Most of the kids who are allergic to penicillin would be allergic to Griseofulvin as well. Therefore, there are other medications that are used for such cases. These medications include Lamisil, which may also lead to some side effects like stomach pain, loss of taste, diarrhea and itchy rashes. Apart from Lamisil, medications and drugs like Sporanox, Diflucan, and Prednisone are used.
☛ Natural Cures and Self Care
There are some effective natural cures that have actually proved extremely beneficial to cure this condition. With these natural cures and some self care techniques at home, keeping scalp fungus under control is absolutely possible. Mentioned below are the points that you need to keep in mind.
Natural Cures
There are some effective natural elements that can help you get rid of the infection. One of them is using elements like tea tree oil, lavender oil, juice from fig leaves and grape seed extract. Mixing one part of lavender oil with 3 parts of tea tree oil and 1 part of olive oil is an effective solution which needs to be applied overnight on the scalp.
Applying raw papaya pulp on your scalp can prove to be very beneficial for treating scalp fungus. This can be kept either overnight or for a minimum of half an hour. Make sure that you always use a mild shampoo to clean your head later on. You can also use a paste of mustard seeds instead of the raw papaya pulp.
Medicated Shampoos
It becomes very essential for a person suffering from scalp fungus to keep his or her scalp clean. Experts suggests using medicated shampoo with 1-2% of zinc pyrithione as it helps in curing the infection. Shampoos containing 2.5% of selenium sulfide is also effective. Using these shampoos to wash your scalp 2-3 times a week is important. On other days, using a mild shampoo is strictly advisable.
These patients should also make sure that they don’t share their hair brush, combs, towels, and clothes with others as the infection is highly contagious. Also, though the treatment takes a lot of time, almost a month or two, this condition is recurrent in nature. Therefore, constantly monitoring the symptoms and taking advice from your healthcare specialist is strictly advisable.
