Tinea Capitis: Current Status

Tinea capitis remains a common childhood infection in many parts of the world. Yet knowledge of the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms and the development of effective immunity have shown striking advances, and new methods of diagnosis ranging from dermoscopy to molecular laboratory tests have been developed even though they have not been assimilated into routine practice in many centres. Treatment is effective although it needs to be given for at least 1 month. What is missing, however, is a systematic approach to control through case ascertainment and therapy. early twentieth century, it was brought under effective control in Europe and North America after the introduction of griseofulvin and concerted public health interventions, whereas it remained endemic in other regions. However, over the last 10-20 years, this situation has changed with the spread of organisms, in particular Trichophyton tonsurans, in the Americas, Europe and Africa.