Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Small spore mycosis is an infectious disease of the scalp. In Poland, it is caused most often by a fungus transmitted by cats and dogs – Microsporum canis. Currently, anthropophilic fungi – Microsporum audouinii and Microsporum ferrugineum are the cause of infection. Microspore infections occur primarily in children. Microsporum canis and Microsporum ferrugineum also appear in adults and may extend beyond the scalp area. On the other hand, Microsporum audouinii does not occur in adults.
What is small spore mycosis?
Small spore mycosis is an infectious disease affecting the scalp (sometimes the infection can extend beyond its area). Most often it is caused by a specific fungus carried by dogs and cats, i.e. Microsporum canis. The disease usually attacks children between four and ten years old, by direct contact with an infected person or by using the same comb or hair towel. Human fungi are less often the cause of infection: anthropophilic – Microsporum audouinii i Rusty microspores. Although the disease is chronic, it resolves by the time of puberty.
The lesions may extend beyond the area of the hairy head, and may also appear only on smooth skin (e.g. neck, torso). The implementation of appropriate treatment prevents scarring.
Symptoms of small spore mycosis
A characteristic symptom of small spore mycosis are single or multiple round or oval foci varying in size with evenly broken hairs 2-3 mm from the surface of the skin, which are covered with gray, finely flaking epidermis.
The skin in the foci of infection usually does not show signs of inflammation except in the case of infection Microsporum caniswhere the lesions are erythematous with a clearly marked inflammation on the periphery (herpes microsporicus). In these situations, foci also occur on the skin of the nape, arms and torso. Usually, after the outbreaks have subsided, there are no permanent marks in their areas of infection, and the hair grows back without any problems. The image of microsporia corresponding to deep mycosis (kerion microsporicus) is considered unique. Outbreaks of infection on the hairy skin fluoresce very specifically under Wood’s lamp.
In children, small-spore mycosis is much milder, and the symptoms sometimes disappear on their own.
Diagnosis of small spore mycosis
In the diagnosis of small-spore mycosis, the observation of skin changes, e.g. hair brittleness, spots on the skin or peeling, is of great importance. However, additional tests are still needed to enable a more accurate diagnosis of the disease. It performs, among other things mushroom growing and hair examination under a microscope. Another diagnostic method is the use of an applied quartz lamp (Wood’s lamp). Species of the genus Microsporum fluoresce greenish, hence Screening under Wood’s lamp allows you to find out whether the disease is spreading beyond the scalp. In addition, the method allows to distinguish small spore mycosis from other scalp conditions. They fluoresce individual hairs (Fig. G-13). The advantage of this method is the speed of the test and not very complicated course.
In order to make an appropriate diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account that there are other ailments with similar symptoms. Therefore, we differentiate small spore mycosis from:
- seborrheic dermatitis,
- psoriasis (the hair is not so thin and broken, while the hair cuticles are dry and layered),
- common dandruff,
- shearing mycosis (in this disease, the hair does not glow in the light of Wood’s lamp, so breeding is decisive),
- asbestos dandruff,
- alopecia areata,
- earworm fungus (hair fluoresces rather gray),
- alopecia areata (there is a complete lack of peeling),
- trichotillomania.
How to treat small-spore mycosis?
In the treatment of small spore mycosis, oral administration of griseofulvin (which inhibits the growth of the fungus) for several weeks and topical treatment play the most important role. They have a good effect ointments and creams with antifungal propertiesalthough there are patients for whom local treatment is insufficient.
Local proceedings in mycosis it is also:
- frequent washing of hair and scalp,
- cutting or shaving the hair near the scalp (at least weekly),
- decontamination of disease outbreaks and the surrounding skin.
General treatment it is implemented when the lesions do not want to heal or when the mycosis outbreaks are advanced. Then the doctor prescribes antifungal preparations, such as: terbinafine, intraconazole or fliconazole. However, it should be borne in mind that there may be side effects from the treatment. Pregnancy and liver disease are contraindications to taking oral medications.
If small spore mycosis in a child is ignored and local treatment is not undertaken – the outbreaks will heal on their own during adolescence.
The disease does not leave scars if recognized early and properly treated. In addition, it is important to use only new brushes and combs during and after treatment to prevent the mycosis from recurring.
What’s the prognosis?
The very low probability of alopecia with scarring is greatest in the inflammatory form and lowest in the non-inflammatory form.
DIG. G-10. Typical clinical picture of small spore mycosis of the scalp.
DIG. G-11. Clinical picture of extensive changes caused by Microsporum canis in a treated child.
DIG. G-12. Small spore mycosis.
DIG. G-13. Characteristic green fluorescence of the small spore mycosis focus.
Read also:
- Mycosis of the scalp – symptoms and treatment
- Mold fungus in the organism – methods of mold fungus in the organism, diet
- Mycosis likes holidays – how to protect yourself from it?
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.