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Mycosis of the scalp resulting from the transmission of a pathogen from sick people or animals. The disease is contagious and may take the form of an epidemic. The affected areas of the scalp may appear as if the hair has been clipped or broken. This ailment is more common in school-age children than in adults.
Mycosis of the scalp – causes
canis causes infections in groups of children playing in the yards with wandering cats. Both M. audouinii and T. tonsurans may spread in schools, kindergartens and orphanages during the epidemic. The prevalence of male cases is observed
The occurrence of infection in the pubertal period is characteristic of an epidemic caused by Microsporum audouinii, on the other hand, if it is an etiological factor Trichophyton tonsurans, mycosis occurs more frequently in black people. Currently, in the US, the most common cause of mycosis of the scalp is T. shearinghowever, infections are often caused by M. canis which is transmitted from domestic animals (usually cats rather than dogs).
Despite the continued high prevalence, the number of reported cases of infection has significantly decreased over the past 30 years.
Other fungi that cause mycosis:
- M. audouinii,
- M. dog
- M. rust,
- T. shearing
- T. violaceum
- T. sudanense,
- T. schoenleinii.
Microsporum spp. Infections are mostly ectothrix (fungal spores lie outside the hair), while Trichophyton spp. Infections can be both ecto- and endothrix (fungal spores lay inside the hair).
In the case of infections of the type ectothrix fungi do not occupy non-keratinized hair and grow along the hair follicle up to the edge of Adamson (keratinization zone). Endothrix infections weaken the hair, fungi develop inside the hair, which often breaks close to the surface of the skin, leaving a “black dot” mark on the skin.
- Find out about the most common causes of hair loss
Symptoms of mycosis of the scalp
Mycosis of the scalp can be inflamed or not.
1. Typical clinical picture of mycosis of the scalp with inflammation is an area of erythema with exfoliation and hair loss. The edge is sharply delimited, sometimes raised, with a characteristic ring shape. In the case of infection with zoophilic fungi, pimples and induration may appear, while in the case of infection with anthropophilic fungi, the inflammation is milder. In addition, there is massive destruction of the hair follicles, greasy lumpy formations with pimples and draining fistulas. This is called „kerion” (from Greek – honeycomb). Self-healing can occur with T. schoenleinii infection, but scarring and alopecia remain as side effects. The Bioherba Enzyme Scalp Scrub, which is worth using as an auxiliary in the treatment of mycosis of the scalp, has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.
2. Typical clinical picture of mycosis of the scalp without inflammation are small focuses of gentle exfoliation with minimal hair loss. These lesions expand and create large areas of hairlessness. Bristle hair is typical on a flaky surface, and reddening may occur when infected with M. canis. The disease can progress from non-inflamed to inflamed. You should also check for “black spots” to indicate the presence of T. tonsurans. Black spot mycosis of the scalp is characterized by mild inflammation, marked exfoliation and numerous black spots.
If the underlying cause of mycosis is psoriasis, reach for the EPTA PSO 30 Scalp and Body Cream or EPTA PSO Scalp Cleansing Base.
Mycoses of the scalp are divided into superficial and deep. They are caused by fungal species of the genus Trichophyton (shearing fungi, with the distinction of wax mycosis due to a specific clinical picture) and Microsporum (small-spore fungi).
Varieties of mycosis
The following clinical variants of tinea capitis can be mentioned:
- deep shearing mycosis,
- small spore mycosis,
- wax mycosis,
- clipping mycosis.
The occurrence of mycosis is often associated with seborrheic dermatitis. For proper care, you should use specialized cosmetics, eg EPTA DS scalp and body spray available alone or in the EPTA DS comprehensive skin and hair care kit with seborrheic dermatitis.