ringworm on my scalp! in highschool!!

[Tico123]

im 17 years old in high school you can imagin the embressment i go thru everyday. the pimples on my scalp only come every once and a while but MAN
DO THEY HURT!...ive tried tea tree oil,nizoral shampoo that the dermatoligst gave me,antifungal creams etc....but nuthin seems to be workin!!...i had it on my face but thank god i treated them if anyone of you kind people the lord put here to see my question PLEASE give me some advise....thanks

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

I appreciate your concern and knowledge for the condition,But oral antifungals are available only after prescription.You cannot buy them over the counter and before prescribing that shampoos containing the ingredients mentioned in the above posts can be tried at home.This is not an incorrect advise. Hope it helps.Take care and  regards.You can find more information on the following site: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ringworm_on_scalp/page6_em.htm

[Obake]

With all due respect, I think you are giving this young person incorrect advice.  If he has tinea capitis or ring worm of the scalp, he needs oral anti-fungal medicine like Griseofulvin or Terbinafine.  My son is dealing with this same problem, and from what I've read and heard from his doctor topical medications don't penetrate the hair follicle to kill the fungus.  The selenium sulfide (2.5%) shampoo didn't do much either.  Also, don't the use of steroids cause tinea incognito?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Ringworm scalp is a very common fungal infection among children and teenagers throughout the world. The disease is considered to be a form of superficial mycosis or dermatophytosis.

Treatment includes washing the scalp with shampoo with selenium sulfide (2.5%) or zinc pyrithione (1-2%) used 2-3 times weekly at home. Oral steroids can also be added for severe inflammatory types of scalp ringworm.
If the symptoms persist then it will be best to get it evaluated from a dermatologist.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Warm regards.

[jagesh50]

If it is scalp fungus, internal medications like antifungal antibiotic may be prescribed by the doc.