tinea capitis?

My 15 year old son developed a small raised rash on the side of his head, just inside the hairline.  We initially thought it may be a few pimples, but when it didn't improve after about a week of cortisone cream, we took him to the Dermatologist, who said it was fungal.  Loprox cream so far, and it's improving but at a snail's pace(6 weeks and not completely gone). Doc says if it doesn't go away by itself, he'll need oral meds. My question: if we have patience, will it eventually go away with just topical treatment?  We're not excited about using an oral med that can have side effects.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Topical treatment does not work for scabies in the hair, because cream does not penetrate the shaft.  Before using the oral medicine, you should, however, be sure of the diagnosis.  This involves a scalp culture for fungus, which is easy to do.  If the rash isn't fungus, it may be seborrhea or psoriasis, two non-fungal rashes.  Please ask your dermatologist for further clarification.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff