Mycosis of the scalp is an unpleasant disease, from which no one is safe. It is a fungus that affects the scalp. Mycosis can be of several types. Before starting treatment, it is important to establish its type, for this you will need to undergo an appropriate examination. In this article, we will talk about the causes of this disease, its symptoms and effective treatment, as an example we give specific drugs that help cope with the disease.
Features of the disease
Due to mycosis of the scalp, the patient often experiences itching, peeling begins. The defeat of the body of this infection leads to the fact that the hair becomes brittle, dull, constantly falling out and splitting. On the surface of the head appears poorly treatable and thick dandruff.
In most cases, mycosis of the scalp is infectious. It’s easy to get infected. For example, during household contact with the carrier of the fungus through a hat, a hair item, a towel.
Understanding what this is mycosis of the skin, you can protect yourself from this ailment in a timely manner. After all, the main preventive method is to observe the basic rules of personal hygiene.
If you nevertheless learned from a personal example what it is - mycosis of the skin, there is good news. This disease is effectively treated. There are many modern medicines, and some use alternative methods of fighting the disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms of mycosis of the scalp can be different. It all depends on the specific type of fungus that provoked this disease. At the same time, there is a list of typical signs by which a fungal infection can be identified.
Typical symptoms of mycosis of the scalp include:
- increased peeling;
- unhealthy hair condition (dryness, lack of shine, intense hair loss);
- peeling zones have a characteristic rounded shape;
- fragility of hair in the area of the follicle;
- increased hair loss in certain places that are most affected by the fungus;
- pink plaques on the epidermis;
- purulent formations;
- characteristic bald spots;
- severe dandruff.
The causes of the formation of the disease
It is believed that the main cause of mycosis of the scalp is fungi, bacteria and viruses that spread extensively in the scalp. Treatment of infection directly depends not only on the type, but also on the severity of the disease and the patient's susceptibility to treatment.
Types of fungus
Experts distinguish three main types of fungus. One of the most common is ringworm. In scientific terms, this disease is called trichophytosis. This fungus has an extremely severe form, it is important to identify symptoms at an early stage, otherwise the formation of bald spots on the skin can not be avoided. This variety of fungus is very common among children aged 3 to 12 years. In this case, any person who comes into contact with the patient can be infected. To avoid infection, you must prevent someone from using personal items of the carrier of the disease. In addition, children are often infected with ringworm through contact with animals.
The disease can be deep and superficial. The first signs appear about a week after infection. Typical symptoms of superficial fungus include red spots, itching, swelling, the appearance of plaque on the skin gray, peeling on the scalp.
With a deep form of infection, the earliest symptoms occur approximately two months after infection. In this case, they are characterized by swelling, poor health, fever, soreness of the lymph nodes and even allergic rashes.
When the fungus goes into a deep stage, characteristic tumor-like spots with pronounced red contours appear on the scalp. These places are actively festering and peeling. If you press them, the pus begins to go outside.
Microsporosis
Another common variety of fungus is microsporosis, or microsporia. In this situation, the fungus is usually diagnosed only in children. Infection occurs through animals that are carriers of fluffy microsporum. Also, the cause of the disease may be contact with infected rusty microsporum.
Among all varieties of fungal infections of the skin and scalp, this species is considered the most common. It is important to start treatment in a timely manner as soon as the first symptoms appear. Otherwise, the rapid spread of the disease can not be avoided.
Microsporosis with only a few symptoms resembles ringworm. An accurate diagnosis requires consultation with a specialist.
Scab
Scab, or scientifically favus, is another type of fungal infection of the scalp. Infection occurs through carriers. In this case, yellow crusts appear on the scalp, in the center of which characteristic indentations are localized. From these places, as a rule, hairs grow.
If you do not start timely and effective treatment for scab, the disease will rapidly progress, spread to neighboring areas of the human body. With the appearance of such a dangerous infection, the hair in the eyes grow dull, become completely lifeless. Their intense loss begins.
Diagnostics
The treatment of the fungus on the scalp is performed by a specialist trichologist. To make an accurate diagnosis, he will need to conduct a visual examination of the patient. As a diagnosis, a micro examination is used, for which a broken hair will be required, skin samples are also taken from the patient. At the next stage, cultural analyzes and bacteriological cultures are carried out.
After the doctor has a complete picture of the disease, he will be able to prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Therapies
When a person’s hair becomes unhealthy, itching and dandruff worry him, it is not necessary to start with the use of medicines, but to eliminate the negative effects that all kinds of cosmetic hair products can have. Also, one of the reasons for the unhealthy state of the scalp and curls can be stressful conditions. If these factors are absent, you should seek the help of a trichologist.
In the treatment of fungus that affects the scalp, various drugs, antimycotic drugs are used. The main thing is to use them with great care, as some of them are toxic. About how to treat mycosis of the scalp, we will discuss further.
Terbizil
In most cases, various medicinal ointments are prescribed as drugs. For example, Terbizil. It is intended for external use, the main active ingredient in its composition is terbinafine.
According to the instructions for use of the ointment "Terbizil", it is recommended to use it for fungal infections of the skin, which are caused by all kinds of dermatophytes. It also helps with multi-colored lichen and skin infections provoked by yeast-like fungi.
The drug has practically no contraindications, with the exception of pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding, hypersensitivity to individual components of the drug.
The cream is applied externally, the duration depends on the severity and nature of the disease. Adult patients should clean and dry the affected areas of the skin before applying it. The ointment is applied once or twice a day with a thin layer on the lesion itself and the areas adjacent to this place. At the same time, it needs to be rubbed slightly. If the infection is accompanied by diaper rash, the place of application of the cream at night is covered with gauze. You have to deal with this situation if the disease develops between the buttocks, under the mammary glands, in the inguinal region, in between the fingers.
In most cases, the duration of treatment is from one to two weeks.
"Clotrimazole"
Among the effective drugs for mycosis of the scalp, this ointment is isolated. This is an external product based on the substance clotrimazole. The drug has an antiprotozoal, trichomonacid, antibacterial and antifungal property. It effectively destroys the cytoplasmic membrane of microorganisms, stops the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids.
It is important to know why ointment "Clotrimazole". Doctors recommend using it for multi-colored lichen, dermatomycosis, balanitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Patients should apply it on the affected areas of the skin with a thin layer two to three times a day. Previously, these places should be cleaned using soap with a neutral pH value, and then dried. When applying, the ointment is gently rubbed. The duration of the course depends on the localization of pathological changes, the severity of the disease, as well as the effectiveness of therapy. With a diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor, it should be used from one to three weeks, and in the treatment of dermatomycosis - at least one month.
Antifungal Shampoos
This is another tool that helps cope with infections. Various antifungal shampoos are prescribed for mycosis of the scalp, depending on the neglect and severity of the disease itself. They may have systemic or local effects. Note that systemic drugs are used only if the disease is at the initial stage of development.
With the help of such shampoos, you can quickly and effectively get rid of dandruff, eliminate most of the unpleasant symptoms that cause discomfort. The only condition for this is to comply with the rules for using these funds.
First, you need to thoroughly wet your hair, distribute a small amount of shampoo throughout the scalp, as well as along the entire length of the hair. This should be done with the help of soft massaging movements. Shampoo on hair should be left for some time, at least for five minutes. During this time, the drug is absorbed into the skin, filling it with useful substances. Shampoo is washed off with warm water. After the procedure, you can additionally rinse your hair with infusion of chamomile.
These antifungal agents are recommended to be used at least three times every two weeks. If the skin lesion with the fungus is too strong, then you can use them even more often - once every two to three days.
When the fungus disappears, do not stop washing your hair with these shampoos. As a preventative measure, they should continue to be used for a couple more weeks.
Folk remedies
There are against mycosis and many folk recipes. True, they are effective only in the mild form of the fungus. In this situation, infusions and masks can help. For example, eucalyptus oil relieves itching. It is enough to add a couple of drops to the comb and carefully comb the hair.
Redness of the epidermis is eliminated with a mixture of lemon and garlic juice and almond oil. The ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and moistened with a cotton swab. The mixture is rubbed into the scalp, and then wrapped in a towel or film for one hour. After this, the hair should be washed thoroughly.