Ringworm on a person’s head can cause considerable harm to appearance and health (see photo). This type of skin disease is called trichophytosis or ringworm. Its causative agents are the diaphoretic fungi Microsporum and Trichophyton.
This disease is characterized by the formation of flaky lesions on the scalp. As a result, hairs break off, which leads to bald patches. Formations with purulent-serous contents appear. If you do not see a doctor in time, then this disease is fraught with:
- involving large areas of the head in the process;
- increased hair loss, which can lead to baldness;
- transition to a chronic form, which is accompanied by severe constant itching. In this case, the patient becomes a source of infection for people who come into contact with him.
In this case, if this disease has overtaken you, you should urgently go to the doctor for help to prevent the chronic form! What lichen on the head looks like is shown in the photo below.
Causes of pilaris
Despite the fact that this disease is mainly genetic, this does not mean that a person with this gene will necessarily suffer from lichen.
The disease often affects young men; living in a tropical climate; people prone to excessive sweating. In addition, the following possible causes of this lichen have been identified:
- Infectious diseases;
- Disruption of the endocrine and nervous systems;
- Inability to absorb vitamin A or its deficiency in the body;
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
- Poor environmental conditions in the place of residence;
- Impairment of barrier functions due to injury;
- Reduced immunity.
Tinea pilaris is not a contagious disease, the keratin (protein) that is found in the skin particles can clog the pore (hair follicle) due to which the sebum cannot be released properly, leading to the formation of pimples, i.e. fungi or infections are not related to the occurrence of lichen.
The active development of the disease occurs in the warm season. Inflammation occurs in the deep layers of the epidermis.
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Prevention
Prevention of lichen in humans comes down mainly to maintaining the necessary personal hygiene. If possible, you should take a hot shower or bath every day, clean your body with a washcloth or brush, use body gels, shampoos, and be sure to wash your hands before eating and after walking. The following rules will help you avoid getting infected:
- Thorough hand washing after contact with street animals that may be carriers of spores;
- caution in handling personal belongings that may contain various particles of the epidermis (combs, clothes, bed linen, towel);
- you need to regularly check your pets after walks; if you find suspicious wounds, spots or bald spots on their skin, take them to the vet immediately;
- monitor the hygiene of children, raise them to be clean;
- during periods that are dangerous for the immune system, take vitamins, eat healthy foods, and exercise.
Types of pityriasis pilaris
In addition to the main type, there are other lichens that can affect areas of the skin with hair, these include - red lichen, pink lichen (Zhibera), ringworm.
- Ringworm is often an autoimmune reaction of the body, due to the use of medications, or due to the presence of diseases such as hepatitis C.
- Pityriasis rosea is one of the manifestations of an allergic reaction of the body; this type is not contagious, but cases of zoster affecting the whole family have been recorded.
- Ringworm is an infectious disease caused by fungi. The disease is contagious.
ethnoscience
Homemade recipes with antifungal and disinfecting properties sometimes help against all types of lichen on the head. The most effective methods are:
- applying juice from aloe leaves to the lesions;
- compresses made from baby cream and chopped garlic cloves;
- wiping infected areas with apple cider vinegar;
- adding essential oils (tea tree, calendula, lavender, jojoba, geranium) to shampoo when washing your hair.
In past centuries, people knew well how to cure lichen without the use of drugs. Few of the secrets have survived to this day.
To reduce the inflammatory reaction, it will be useful to make compression lotions from pumpkin pulp. It must be squeezed through a gauze or bandage and applied to the affected areas morning, afternoon and evening.
A compress with the addition of mashed boiled beets, honey or cranberry juice can help a lot. After a day, the symptoms should subside.
To restore pigmentation and restore skin, a decoction of chamomile flowers can help. A warm decoction is applied to the head with a cotton swab, and then washed off an hour later.
There is also a positive trend in the use of raw chicken eggs, from which we only need a film that has many nutrients. It must be smeared on sore spots in the morning, afternoon, and evening for 7 days.
Using these recipes in combination with basic medications gives excellent results. Rubbing a decoction of chamomile flowers helps quickly restore the skin. The prepared broth is infused for an hour, rubbed into the scalp, left for an hour, then washed off.
Positive changes come from using a raw chicken egg, from which both the yolk and white have been removed. The liquid remaining between the film on the inside of the egg and the wall has healing properties; it should be lubricated with the affected areas three times a day for a week.
The use of such funds is available and gives a good effect. Official medicine recommends the use of traditional methods as auxiliary ones to improve the condition of the skin.
You should know that using folk remedies alone will not get rid of the disease, since at the same time measures should be taken to strengthen the immune system and reduce the manifestation of allergic reactions.
Source: zdorovkozha.com
Symptoms of pilaris
Devergie's disease (pityriasis pilaris) is characterized by the appearance of multiple nodules, the appearance of the rash resembles acne, the color is practically no different from healthy skin, and sometimes redness is observed. Sometimes they can cause minor itching, which does not cause much discomfort to the person.
As the disease progresses, the rash becomes covered with light-colored scales and can merge, affecting large areas of the skin, forming plaques - they acquire a yellowish or sometimes scarlet tint. The person's general condition remains unchanged.
Lichen planus, localized on the head, looks like a uniform rash, scarlet in color, with a shiny surface, causing severe itching. The rash can take several forms - ring-shaped or linear.
After the rash has gone, there may be pigmentation at the site of the former lesions - that is, a change in skin color; over time, the skin color becomes uniform.
Pityriasis rosea, which appears on the head, is considered to be an atypical form of the disease. Characterized by the formation of pink spots, hair loss in the affected areas is not observed. Sometimes unpleasant sensations occur in the affected areas in the form of itching and burning.
Ringworm is characterized by hair loss on affected areas of the skin, hence the name. The lesions have round spots of a light shade, the skin in these places peels off, sometimes a small rash can form, giving the skin a yellowish tint and causing severe itching.
Lichen affecting the skin with hair has several types, and therefore different symptoms, but the main danger is that the symptoms of many types of lichen are also similar to other skin diseases, so it is very important to carry out a diagnosis so that the disease does not take a chronic form and cause negative consequences in further.
Question answer
Do I need to completely shave off my scalp if I have ringworm?
Even if there are several skin lesions and they are small, it is not necessary to cut off all the hair; doctors do not require this. Just remove the strands so that it is convenient for you to treat pathological spots with ointment.
You have been prescribed antifungal tablets "Griseofulvin", what should you take with them so that they are well absorbed?
Antifungal drugs are washed down with milk and kefir. These products contain fats necessary for better absorption of the drug. Usually, the manufacturer indicates the rules for taking pills in the instructions. It is recommended to take Griseofulvin tablets with vegetable oil (1 tsp/1 tablet).
How can you wash your hair if you have shingles on your scalp?
For this purpose, use a thick foam of tar soap; do not rub the skin with the bar itself, otherwise it may be injured. You can also use shampoos that contain selenium sulphide 2% (Sulsena, Nizoral). The component promotes skin healing and kills fungal spores.
Is it true that antifungal drugs have a negative effect on the liver?
This is true, so during skin treatment it is very important to follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Keep in mind that even taking vitamin A, which is also prescribed for lichen, can damage the liver.
Can you get ringworm from a sick person just by sitting next to them?
Infection occurs when broken hairs or peeling scales fall from a sick person onto the skin of a healthy person. This can happen when a healthy person uses a sick person's comb or tries on his headdress. There is no chance of infection during normal communication.
Treatment of pilaris
Treatment of pilaris will depend on its type; it is impossible to independently determine this or that disease, due to the similarity of symptoms, sometimes the symptoms are completely atypical, it depends on the level of immunity. Therefore, the most important thing is to visit a specialist, mainly a dermatologist.
Often, it is enough for an experienced specialist to conduct a routine examination, but to confirm the diagnosis the following may be prescribed:
- Laboratory tests - general blood and urine tests to identify concomitant diseases that may cause the development of lichen;
- Scraping of rejected skin particles from the affected areas;
- Histological test - to exclude the presence of viruses or infections;
- Geber's test - using iodine;
- Transillumination of the affected areas with a Wood's lamp;
The doctor may also ask questions about how long the symptoms have been onset and whether other family members have them. Based on the survey, examination and tests, the doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the treatment that suits you.
Treatment of pilaris with medications
As mentioned above, treatment will depend on the type of disease:
- Pityriasis rosea does not require treatment; the main therapy is to remove the factor that provokes it - the allergen.
- Follicular keratosis - the disease is considered genetic; it is not possible to completely cure it, but taking certain medications will remove the symptoms, and long-term remission is also possible. For this type of lichen, it is prescribed to take medications containing vitamin A, apply an ointment containing caratine components to soften the skin to the affected areas of the skin, they may prescribe a therapeutic diet and recommend sunbathing;
- Lichen planus, which affects the scalp, is treated with complex vitamins, salicylic ointment or containing vitamin A, tablets and ointments with corticosteroids (have anti-inflammatory properties). Ultraviolet irradiation also gives positive results;
- Ringworm - tablets with an antifungal effect, ointments that have an antimycotic effect, solutions with an antibacterial effect are prescribed.
To consolidate drug therapy, the doctor may recommend lotions:
- Based on lactic acid – has a softening effect;
- Contains glycolic acid - to retain moisture, which will reduce the risk of skin keratinization;
- Based on salicylic acid – softens the skin and relieves itching;
- Containing substances with a pronounced antifungal effect.
For many types, a common symptom is itching, so taking antihistamines (anti-allergic) is indicated; if lichen is found in a child and causes an increase in body temperature, then antipyretic medications are prescribed (symptomatic therapy).
Treatment of pilaris with folk remedies
There are many ways to treat pilaris with folk remedies, but all of them should be an addition, not the main therapy, and be sure to discuss it with your doctor before using any method.
Folk methods include herbal decoctions, herbal lotions, and tinctures. All herbs can be purchased at the pharmacy; you can make the tincture yourself or buy ready-made ones.
You should be wary of traditional medicine recipes containing vinegar, citric acid, garlic or onion, because such methods can cause a burn, which will increase discomfort and cause pain.
Some herbs have an astringent effect, which may be contraindicated for pityriasis rosea because it will cause discomfort due to skin tightness.
The most popular means:
- Elecampane decoction has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Chamomile, chamomile, calendula - have an antiallergic and bactericidal effect, and can cause dry skin.
- Tar soap – has antibacterial and antifungal properties. When purchasing, pay attention to the color of the bar; the darker the better.
- Raisins - have properties that can have a detrimental effect on the fungus.
Decoctions can be used internally, in the form of lotions or added to the bath; tinctures are most often used in the form of lotions or used to wipe the affected areas.
Only your doctor will tell you which method is right for you. Do not self-medicate.
Diagnostics
Ringworm of the scalp can be diagnosed during an initial examination by a dermatologist.
To confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of pathogen, material is taken for microscopic examination, and bacterial culture is also taken from the affected areas. After it has been possible to find out the type of lichen, appropriate treatment is prescribed, which is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Source: etogribok.ru
Prevention of pilaris
All diseases are easier to prevent, but following simple rules of prevention can contribute to a speedy recovery:
- Do not neglect the rules of personal hygiene, take a shower in a timely manner, do not use other people’s personal hygiene products such as a comb, towel, slippers;
- Do not use detergents with aggressive components that can disrupt the body's barrier functions;
- Avoid frequent injuries, and if there are wounds, treat them with antiseptic drugs;
- Use clothes made from natural fabrics;
- If you have an allergy, try to remove or replace the provoking factor;
- Increase immunity and maintain its functions;
- If there are acute or chronic diseases, treat them completely;
- Do not abuse the solarium;
The duration of the disease varies from two months to a year; timely treatment and strict adherence to the doctor’s instructions will speed up recovery. To prevent a relapse, it is advisable to retake tests a couple of months after recovery and repeat the course of vitamin therapy.
Possible complications and consequences
The most terrible complication after ringworm is that the hair may not grow back, and the scars from the disease may remain for life. This problem especially often occurs if treatment was started late or the doctor’s recommendations were violated. There is no danger to health, but the aesthetic appearance of a person who has received such consequences leaves much to be desired.
South Korean plastic surgery can completely solve the problem of unregenerated hair and scars, but it is quite expensive.
Features in children
There are several features characteristic only of this group of patients:
- at a young age, ringworm, regardless of its form and pathogen, can settle on any part of the body, the scalp is especially often affected;
- Most often, suppurative and infiltrative forms develop in children;
- Regardless of the type, ringworm in children causes inflammation of the lymphatic system;
- Very often, ringworm in a child is accompanied by fever.
How to avoid getting ringworm from your own child?
He does not go to kindergarten or school. But at home all the time. To avoid getting infected from it, you need to:
- give him personal items: a comb, a towel, a bag for dirty laundry;
- Wash the baby’s underwear and clothes separately, dry them separately and carefully iron them on both sides;
- everything that the child comes into contact with must be disinfected;
- Disinfect the washbasin and bathtub (shower stall) especially carefully.
Study the course of a dermatologist “Care for children's skin: up to one year, preschoolers and in adolescence” (free in ViLine.Club)
