Ringworm of the scalp is the most common cause of alopecia (hair loss) in children.

The fungus Trichophyton tonsurans which infects mostly prepubertal children accounts for more than 90% of cases.

Some children are affected by the dog ringworm Microsporum canis which produces a yellow-green fluorescence under the ultraviolet light of a Wood’s lamp. (Trichophyton species do not fluoresce.)

In the noninflammatory stage of T. tonsurans, hair breaks off at scalp level, leaving small, dark hairs in the follicles. This stage is called black-dot ringworm.

In the inflammatory stage, the infection progresses to:
• diffuse fine scaling of the scalp without
obvious broken-off hairs
• many scaly, pustular bald areas with indistinct
margins
• multiple kerions

A kerion is a red, boggy nodule with superficial pustules. It is usually accompanied by suboccipital or posterior cervical lymphadenopathy.

A near-epidemic of T. tonsurans infections is in progress.



The fungal infection ringworm can be treated with homeopathic remedies. Among the homeopathic remedies recommended are:
• Sepia for brown, scaly patches
• Tellurium for prominent, well-defined, reddish sores
• Graphites for thick scales or heavy discharge
• Sulphur for excessive itching.


Topical applications of antifungal herbs and essential oils also can help resolve ringworm. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca spp.), thuja (Thuja occidentalis), and lavender (Lavandula officinalis) are the most common.

Two drops of essential oil in 1/4 ounce of carrier oil is the dose recommended for topical application. Essential oils should not be applied to the skin undiluted. Botanical medicine can be taken internally to enhance the body's immune response. A person must be susceptible to exhibit this overgrowth of fungus on the skin.

Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) and astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) are the two most common immune-enhancing herbs. A well-balanced diet, including protein, complex carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, and good quality fats, is also important in maintaining optimal immune function.


Prognosis

Ringworm can usually be cured, but recurrence is common. Chronic infection develops in one patient in five.
It can take 6-12 months for new hair to cover bald patches, and 3-12 months to cure infected fingernails. Toenail infections do not always respond to treatment.


Prevention

Likelihood of infection can be lessened by avoiding contact with infected people or pets or contaminated objects and staying away from hot, damp places.




Types of ringworm

Ringworm is a term that is commonly used to encompass several types of fungal infection. Sometimes, however, only body ringworm is classified as true ringworm.

Body ringworm (tinea corporis) can affect any part of the body except the scalp, feet, and facial area where a man's beard grows. The well-defined, flaky sores can be dry and scaly or moist and crusty.

Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) is most common in children. It causes scaly, swollen blisters or a rash that looks like black dots. Sometimes inflamed and filled with pus, scalp ringworm lesions can cause crusting, flaking, and round bald patches. Most common in black children, scalp ringworm can cause scarring and permanent hair loss.

Ringworm of the groin (tinea cruris or jock itch) produces raised red sores with well-marked edges. It can spread to the buttocks, inner thighs, and external genitals.

Ringworm of the nails (tinea unguium) generally starts at the tip of one or more toenails, which gradually thicken and discolor. The nail may deteriorate or pull away from the nail bed. Fingernail infection is far less common.


Causes & symptoms

Ringworm can be transmitted by infected people or pets or by towels, hairbrushes, or other objects contaminated by them. Symptoms include inflammation, scaling, and sometimes, itching.
Diabetes mellitus increases susceptibility to ringworm. So do dampness, humidity, and dirty, crowded living areas. Braiding hair tightly and using hair gel also raise the risk.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on microscopic examination of scrapings taken from lesions. A dermatologist may also study the scalp of a patient with suspected tinea capitis under ultraviolet light.

What to do if you have Ringworm?

DO NOT EAT SUGAR
DO NOT USE ANTIBIOTICS

Get Grapefruit Seed Extract (Citrosept) and Use it!

Do not consume any industrially processed foods, especially not foods containing preservatives.
Include home made yogurt in your diet!
Flush your liver!
Cleanse your bowel!
Do Parasites cleanse!

A person with body ringworm should wear loose clothing and check daily for raw, open sores. Wet dressings applied to moist sores two or three times a day can lessen inflammation and loosen scales. The doctor may suggest placing special pads between folds of infected skin, and anything the patient has touched or worn should be sterilized in boiling water.

Infected nails should be cut short and straight and carefully cleared of dead cells with an emery board.

Patients with jock itch should:
• Wear cotton underwear and change it more than once a day
• Keep the infected area dry
• Apply antifungal ointment over a thin film of antifungal powder.

Shampoo containing selenium sulfide can help prevent spread of scalp ringworm, but prescription shampoo or Grapefruit Seed Extract is usually needed to cure the infection.


Resources:
BOOKS
Cummings, Stephen, and Dana Ullman. Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine. Los Angeles, CA: Jeremy P. Tarcher, 1984.
Shaw, Michael. Everything You Need to Know About Diseases. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corporation, 1996.



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