Lichen is a lesion of the skin, fungi of which are present in almost every person. But for the fungus to activate, certain conditions must be met. Lichen can be transmitted by contact, from a sick person to a healthy person, through clothing or wardrobe items, bath accessories. In addition, there are other provoking causes of pityriasis versicolor on the head.
A bit about the problem
Pityriasis dermatosis is characterized by severe peeling and localization exclusively in the upper body, usually on the head, without spreading down. Another name for this pathology is multi-colored, since it can have different shades. And the people generally call it “solar fungus”, due to the fact that it most often appears in the summer.
The disease is caused by a lipophilic yeast-like fungus, which can be on the skin for a long time, but manifest only under certain conditions. At risk are people of middle and young age, very rarely the disease appears in children (up to 10 years old) or elderly people (after 65 years old).
Pityriasis versicolor of the scalp is classified as a disease of moderate infectivity and cannot cause an inflammatory process. It affects only the upper layers of the epidermis. The incubation period is 1.5 months.
Risk group
At risk are also people who abuse the sun, often visit the solarium and wear synthetic clothing.
Pityriasis versicolor of the scalp is often diagnosed in patients with immunodeficiency or in the presence of oncology. In adolescence, it can appear against the background of hormonal failure during puberty. For the same reason, dermatosis can occur in a pregnant woman or during menopause.
If lichen appeared in childhood and was not diagnosed and cured, then subjective sensations can accompany a person throughout life. Children are more susceptible to this disease if they live in a subtropical climate, in such countries it is diagnosed in 40% of cases. In temperate climates, the incidence rate is only 2%.
Possible provocateurs
To date, there are a number of factors that can cause activation of the yeast fungus, namely:
- genetic predisposition to different types of dermatitis and dermatoses;
- increased oily skin;
- disturbances in the work of the stratum corneum;
- endocrine diseases, in particular diabetes mellitus;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- obesity;
- spring-autumn season;
- diseases of the kidneys and liver, pancreas;
- chronic pathologies of the bronchopulmonary system;
- hormonal disorders;
- some diseases of the genitourinary system;
- hyperhidrosis or chemical changes in the composition of sweat;
- menopause and pregnancy.
The following diseases can also be provoking factors: caries, tuberculosis, pyelonephritis or tonsillitis in a chronic form. In a number of cases, the disease develops against the background of a prolonged depressive state and constant nervous strain. Some medications that can be taken uncontrollably, in particular antibacterial and hormonal drugs, can become provocateurs.
Due to the fact that one of the factors of activation of the fungus is hyperhidrosis, most often this type of lesion occurs in men.
Causes of the disease in children
The causes of dermatosis in children are the same as in adults. In particular, this is excessive sweating and stressful situations, mental stress and prolonged viral diseases. Also, the cause may be non-observance of personal hygiene or improperly selected antibacterial agents.
Where and how can I get infected?
Pityriasis versicolor on the head is a little contagious disease, so the fungus can be activated if hygiene standards are not observed. In particular, you can not use bath accessories after a sick person, wear hats after him. There is a small risk of infection in the pool or bath, sauna, if there is direct contact with the person whose fungus has been activated, or his personal belongings. There are no other ways of infection with dermatosis.
How does it all start
Symptoms of pityriasis versicolor on a person’s head are characterized by the appearance of asymmetrical spots with uneven edges. They can be brown, pink or yellow. At the beginning of the development of the disease, they are small in size, eventually merge into a single large focus. Then the affected area begins to peel off, scales appear. The infected part of the skin does not sunbathe. In the area of location, depriving skin constantly itches.
Depending on the season, the shade changes, in winter it is darker, even dark brown, and in summer it brightens under the influence of ultraviolet rays.
In childhood
In children, the average incubation period lasts from 1 to 3 weeks, but can reach several months. The period of development of the disease completely depends on the baby's immunity. At an early age, in the period of 1-3 years, the symptoms of the presence of the fungus may appear several days after infection.
The manifestations of dermatosis are the same as in adults: first, small spots appear, then they grow and merge, peel and itch.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor on the head and other parts of the body is carried out using Balcer's iodine test. The essence of the technique is that the affected area is lubricated with iodine. After the solution is absorbed, the places where there is a fungus immediately appear, standing out against the general background with a dark brown color. The iodine solution can be replaced with aniline dyes.
When examining the material after scraping through a microscope, the filament of the fungus is clearly visible, which are localized in large groups and have a rounded shape.
You can also determine the multi-colored lichen on the head using a mercury-quartz lamp, when illuminated, places affected by the fungus are painted in a brown or reddish-yellow hue. The diagnostic procedure is carried out in complete darkness.
There is another technique - the phenomenon of "chips". If the spot is carefully scrubbed in the affected area, loosening of the stratum corneum and flaking of the scales will be observed.
Diagnostic measures in pediatrics are the same as in the case of adult disease.
How to get rid of a fungus
Treatment of pityriasis versicolor on the head does not imply being in a hospital. Therapy mainly consists of the use of external drugs and tablets.
How to cure pityriasis versicolor quickly? Along with chemicals taken orally, by external means, you should definitely adjust your diet. If there is a suspicion that the disease arose against a background of a stressful situation or problems with the gastrointestinal tract, then they should be disposed of. This applies to any problem that has become a provocateur of the appearance of lichen. In addition, if you get rid of the provocateur, the likelihood of relapse is reduced to almost zero.
External treatment
External therapy involves the use of special creams and ointments that are applied to the affected areas of the skin. The group of medicines for dermatosis includes drugs with the following active substances:
- clotrimazole;
- naftifin;
- ketoconazole and others.
Nizoral
If we are talking about the localization of the fungus on the scalp, then Nizoral shampoo is used. Its price is rather big (from 600 rubles), but its efficiency is at a rather high level. The active ingredient in Nizoral shampoo is ketoconazole.
You will have to use shampoo daily, for two or more weeks, depending on the result achieved. After the peeling disappears, the use of shampoo should be discontinued so as not to harm the skin and hair.
In childhood, shampoo is used only for 5 days. In the future, you can use it as a prophylactic, 3 days in a row, one wash. It is best to carry out preventive measures before the onset of the summer season.
Also, Nizoral is available in the form of tablets and cream.
You can use other shampoos and lotions, the main thing is that they contain antifungal components, for example sodium thiosulfate, ketoconazole or selenium sulfide.
The main positive feature of these funds is that the components are not absorbed into the blood.
The drug "Clotrimazole"
This is a long-known remedy that helps to cope with fungal diseases. For the treatment of pityriasis versicolor on the head of a child or an adult, ointment “Clotrimazole” can be used. In addition, a lotion and cream with this active ingredient are produced. There is a drug in tablet form.
The ointment is used twice a day, however, it should be applied on the skin, especially on the head, very carefully, taking care that it does not get on healthy areas of the skin. As a rule, there are no side effects after using the ointment or cream. However, if there is a burning sensation or redness, then it is better to refuse further use of the product and consult a doctor to choose another.
It should be noted that clotrimazole is also not absorbed into the blood through the skin, but the use of products with its content during the period of gestation is not recommended.
The drug "Fungoterbin"
This drug has the active substance - terbinafine. It is available not only in the form of a spray and ointment, but also in tablet form. Most often included in complex therapy, for example, tablets are drunk at the same time and ointment is applied to infected skin areas.
Pills from pityriasis versicolor in a person with the active substance terbinafine are not allowed to be used to treat children under 2 years of age. In other cases, the course of therapy is 14 days. There is no information on the negative impact on the condition of a pregnant woman and the fetus during the use of Fungoterbin, but consultation with a doctor is still recommended. And another feature of this drug: it is impossible to interrupt the course of treatment, even if the symptoms have almost completely disappeared.
The drug "Mycozoral"
The drug is based on ketoconazole. However, in comparison with Nizoral, the price of shampoo and other forms of release is lower. When using the drug, a fairly rapid disappearance of symptoms is observed, however, the course of treatment must be completed completely, as recommended by the doctor, so that no relapse occurs in the future. Available in the form of shampoo, ointment and tablets.
The drug is not used to treat pregnant women. In addition, if the course of treatment involves the use of other drugs, their intake should be extended in time, that is, "Mycozoral" is used in the morning, and another drug in the evening, or vice versa.
Rumikoz tablets
In some cases, traditional and widespread therapy does not help get rid of dermatosis, ointments from pityriasis versicolor, creams and lotions do not help. In such cases, tablets are prescribed, in particular "Rumikoz", with the active substance itraconozole. However, this medicine can not be used without a doctor's prescription, since he has a huge number of contraindications. The duration of the course of treatment cannot exceed 7 days, the drug is not used in pediatrics. You can not take it during lactation and during pregnancy.
Treatment of childhood dermatosis
In the treatment of children from pityriasis versicolor, only gentle methods and drugs are used on the head, doses are carefully calibrated and medicines are selected. Therefore, when it comes to the child, there can be no talk of self-medication. Moreover, the more the treatment process is delayed, the greater the risk that other infections will join the existing problem, since it is quite difficult to keep track of the child not combing the affected area.
The tactics of treatment are almost the same as in the treatment of adult patients. First of all, creams and ointments are prescribed, and only with poor performance are tablets.
Most often, in children’s treatment, "Sertaconazole", "Bifonazole", that is, imidazole derivatives, are used.
Homeopathy and herbal medicine
If there is intolerance to pharmaceutical ointments from pityriasis versicolor, other traditional medicine, then you can use homeopathic remedies. First of all, these are the Psorilum capsules. This medicine has a complex composition, which includes graphite, potassium bromide, goldenrod, smoky. Along with the capsule form, there is an ointment in which, in addition to the described components, there is violet, elderberry, rosemary, and milk thistle oil. These oils have an antibacterial effect, contribute to the healing of affected areas of the skin, relieve irritation.
Lichen is also treatable with the help of the well-known ointment Vishnevsky and Konkova. You can also use tinctures of propolis, celandine and calendula, which wipe the places where lichen spots are.
Alternative Medicine Prescriptions
Pityriasis versicolor on the head responds well to folk remedies. One of the simplest recipes: mix sorrel, which is previously carefully crushed, with sour cream. The proportion should be 1: 1. With this composition, compresses are made on infected areas of the skin.
A good tool can be made from rue (grass) mixed with butter, the proportion in this case is 1: 5. The resulting composition also lubricates the infected areas on the head.
You can treat the place of deprivation with juice from onions. St. John's wort is also suitable, which is finely chopped and mixed with petroleum jelly.
Additional fungus disposal techniques
Individuals with pityriasis versicolor are advised to take more sun baths. Ultraviolet rays help reduce the activity of bacteria.
During the treatment period, wet cleaning should be carried out daily in the room where the patient is located. In addition, disinfectants should be used.
It is recommended to change clothes every day, preferably bed linen. Washing should be carried out at a high temperature: from 95 to 100 degrees. After drying, laundry and clothing are recommended to be ironed.
Preventive actions
In order not to become a victim of pityriasis versicolor, first of all, it is not recommended to wear things and hats of strangers. If possible, it is better to avoid sudden temperature changes, regularly wash your head and body. It is better to abandon synthetic clothing, and even more so hats made of non-natural materials.
As a prophylactic, hardening and strengthening of the body's immune forces appears. You should also monitor your diet, it must be rationalized and fortified.
In order to prevent re-infection, hygiene rules must be strictly observed. If there is hyperhidrosis, then measures should be taken to eliminate it. In the spring, when all chronic diseases are aggravated, it is recommended to wipe the places where once it was lichen, with a solution of salicylic alcohol (2%). Also, as a prophylactic, you can use Nizoral shampoo. And of course, be sure to refuse contact with an infected person until he is completely cured.
Despite the rather simple treatment of pityriasis versicolor, the disease can not be allowed to drift or prescribe medications on your own.