Article Abstract:
One percent selenium sulfide appears to be as effective as 2% selenium sulfide in eradicating the spores of tinea capitis (ringworm) infection. Tinea capitis is a fungal scalp infection that commonly effects children. Researchers prescribed 15 milligrams of griseofulvin per kilogram of body weight per day for 37 children with tinea capitis. In addition, 12 children applied a 2.5% selenium sulfide lotion to the scalp, 18 used a 1% selenium sulfide shampoo (Selsun Blue), and 7 used a nonmedicated shampoo twice weekly. The average period of time required to eliminate the fungal spores was five weeks in the 2.5% selenium sulfide group, five weeks in the 1% selenium sulfide group, and approximately eight weeks in the nonmedicated shampoo group. One percent selenium sulfide shampoo is available over-the-counter and is less costly than a prescription for 2.5% selenium sulfide lotion.
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Article Abstract:
Tinea capitis, or ringworm, spreads throughout inner-city African-American familes through such factors as sharing a bed or a comb. Carriers with no visible signs of infection were identified by cultures. Of 56 cases of infection and 114 contacts, almost all were identified as being infected with the same dermatophyte -- Trichophyton tonsurans. The difficulty in arriving at a stastical conclusion is associated with carriers and contacts reinfecting others. Nonetheless, carriers in households without symptoms seemed to be 16%, and treatment with sporicidal shampoo might eliminate their function as reservoirs of infection.
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Article Abstract:
Children who have enlarged lymph nodes at the back of the skull are likely to have tinea capitis. Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp. In a study of 100 children with with at least one sign of tinea capitis, all 55 children who had enlarged lymph nodes had the infection. Flaking skin and hair loss were also signs of tinea capitis. Of the 68 children who did not have enlarged lymph nodes or hair loss, only 1 had tinea capitis infection.
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