Mycosis of the scalp is an unpleasant disease from which no one is immune. It is a fungus that infects 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 will give specific drugs that help to 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 with this infection leads to the fact that the hair becomes brittle, dull, constantly falling out and splitting. Difficult to treat and thick dandruff appears on the surface of the head.
In most cases, mycosis of the scalp is infectiouscharacter. It's easy to get infected. For example, during everyday contact with a fungus carrier through a headdress, hair item, towel.
Understanding what is mycosis of the skin, you will be able to protect yourself from this disease in a timely manner. After all, the main preventive method is the observance of elementary rules of personal hygiene.
If you nevertheless learned by personal example what it is - skin mycosis, there is good news. This disease is effectively treated. There are many modern medicines, and some use folk remedies to combat the disease.
Symptoms
The 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;
- unhe althy hair condition (dryness, lack of shine, intense hair loss);
- zones with peeling have a characteristic rounded shape;
- fragility of hair in the follicle area;
- increased hair loss in certain areas that are most affected by the fungus;
- pink plaques on the epidermis;
- purulent formations;
- characteristic bald spots;
- severe dandruff.
Causes of the formation of the disease
It is believed that the main cause of mycosis of the scalp is fungi, bacteria and viruses, which are intensively distributed in the scalp. Treatment of the infection directlydepends not only on the type, but also on the severity of the disease and the patient's susceptibility to treatment.
Types of fungus
Specialists identify three main types of fungus. One of the most common is ringworm. Scientifically, this disease is called trichophytosis. This fungus has an extremely severe form, it is important to identify symptoms at an early stage, otherwise bald spots cannot be avoided on the skin. This type of fungus is very common among children aged 3 to 12 years. In this case, anyone who comes into contact with the patient can become infected. To avoid infection, you need to prevent someone from using personal items of the carrier of the disease. In addition, children often become 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, gray patches on the skin, and flaking of the scalp.
In a deep form of infection, the earliest symptoms occur about two months after infection. In this case, they are characterized by swelling, feeling unwell, elevated body temperature, soreness of the lymph nodes, and even allergic rashes.
When the fungus goes into a deep stage, characteristic tumor-like spots appear on the scalp, with pronounced red contours. These places are actively festering andpeel off. If you press on them, the pus begins to come out.
Microsporosis
Another common type 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 the fluffy microsporum. Also, the cause of the disease can be contact with infected rusty microsporum.
Among all the types of fungal infections of the skin and scalp, this type is considered the most common. It is important to start treatment as soon as the first symptoms appear. Otherwise, the rapid spread of the disease cannot be avoided.
Microsporosis only with some 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. At the same time, yellow crusts appear on the scalp, in the center of which characteristic depressions are localized. Hairs usually grow from these places.
If you do not start timely and effective treatment of scab, the disease will rapidly progress, spread to neighboring parts of the human body. With the appearance of such a dangerous infection, the hair grows dull before the eyes, becomes completely lifeless. Their intensive loss begins.
Diagnosis
A specialist trichologist deals with the treatment of fungus on the scalp. To make an accurate diagnosis, he will need to conduct a visual examination of the patient. As a diagnosis, a microexamination is used, which will require a broken hair, and skin tests 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.
Therapy Methods
When a person's hair takes on an unhe althy look, he is worried about itching and dandruff, you need to start not with the use of medicines, but with the elimination of the negative impact that all kinds of cosmetic hair products can have. Also, one of the reasons for the unhe althy condition of the scalp and curls can be stressful conditions. If these factors are absent, you should seek help from a trichologist.
In the treatment of a fungus that has affected the scalp, various drugs, antimycotic drugs are used. The main thing is to use them with extreme caution, as some of them are toxic. About how to treat mycosis of the scalp, we will tell further.
Terbizil
In most cases, all kinds of healing 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 Terbizil ointment, it is recommended to use it for fungal infections of the skin,which are caused by various dermatophytes. It also helps with versicolor and yeast-like skin infections.
The drug has practically no contraindications, except for pregnancy and breastfeeding, hypersensitivity to certain 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 skin areas 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 lightly. If infections are accompanied by diaper rash, cover the places where the cream is applied at night with gauze. This situation is encountered if the disease develops between the buttocks, under the mammary glands, in the groin, in the spaces between the fingers.
In most cases, the duration of treatment is one to two weeks.
Clotrimazole
Among the effective preparations for mycosis of the scalp, this ointment is distinguished. This is an external agent based on the substance clotrimazole. The drug has antiprotozoal, trichomonacid, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It effectively destroys the cytoplasmic membrane of microorganisms, stops the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids.
It is important to know what Clotrimazole ointment is from. Doctors recommend using it forpityriasis versicolor, ringworm, balanitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Patients should apply it to the affected areas of the skin in a thin layer two to three times a day. These areas should first be cleaned with neutral pH soap and then dried. When applying the ointment gently rub. The duration of the course depends on the localization of pathological changes, the severity of the disease, as well as the effectiveness of therapy. When diagnosed with pityriasis versicolor, it should be used for one to three weeks, and for the treatment of ringworm - at least one month.
Anti-fungal shampoos
This is another remedy that helps fight infections. Various antifungal shampoos are prescribed for mycosis of the scalp, depending on the neglect and severity of the disease itself. They may have a systemic or local effect. Note that systemic drugs are used only if the disease is at an early stage of development.
With the help of these 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 over the entire scalp, as well as along the entire length of the hair. This should be done with gentle massaging movements. Shampoo on the hair should be left for a while, at least for five minutes. During this time, the drugabsorbed into the skin, filling it with useful substances. The shampoo is washed off with warm water. After the end of the procedure, you can additionally rinse your hair with chamomile infusion.
These antifungal agents are recommended to be used at least three times every two weeks. If the fungal infection of the skin is too strong, then you can use them even more often - once every two to three days.
When the fungus is gone, don't stop washing your hair with these shampoos. As a preventive measure, you should continue using them for a couple more weeks.
Folk remedies
There are many folk recipes against mycosis. True, they are effective only with a mild form of the fungus. In this situation, infusions and masks can help. For example, eucalyptus oil relieves itching. Just add a couple of drops to the comb and comb your hair thoroughly.
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 a cotton swab is moistened in them. The mixture is rubbed into the scalp, and then wrapped in a towel or film for one hour. After that, the hair should be thoroughly rinsed.
