What is the difference between tinea capitis and seborrheic dermatitis?

Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on April 30, 2025
00:00
00:00

Tinea capitis and seborrheic dermatitis have fundamentally different causes. Tinea capitis is a fungal infection, including conditions such as yellow tinea, white tinea, black dot tinea, and pustular tinea. It leads to the destruction of hair follicles, which can cause hair loss and even scarring. Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as seborrheic eczema, arises from the excessive secretion of sebum. At this time, it may also be stimulated by the colonization of certain microorganisms, such as Malassezia, causing inflammation. It typically affects the scalp, face, chest, and back. The initial lesions are follicular papules, which gradually enlarge and merge into dark red or yellow-red plaques covered with greasy scales or crusts. It can also exhibit exudation, crusting, erosion, and other eczematous changes, and in severe cases, the skin lesions can become widespread throughout the body. To differentiate between tinea capitis and seborrheic dermatitis, besides the symptoms, local skin flakes can be tested in a laboratory using fungal immunofluorescence, as well as bacterial and fungal cultures.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
32sec home-news-image

Foods to avoid with tinea capitis

Patients with tinea capitis need to avoid certain foods in their diet. First, do not eat foods that are high in fat, such as fatty meats and lard. Secondly, avoid spicy and irritating foods, as consuming overly spicy and irritating foods can increase dandruff and cause scalp itching, aggravating tinea capitis. Finally, do not eat chili peppers, mustard, raw onions, raw ginger, and alcoholic beverages, and be sure to maintain cleanliness and actively treat tinea capitis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
53sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of baby's scalp ringworm

Baby tinea capitis is a disease caused by fungal infection. The initial signs are an increase in dandruff and hair that breaks easily. Generally, there are different types based on these symptoms. However, with the gradual improvement of sanitary conditions, the incidence of tinea capitis is now very low and not commonly seen in clinical settings. If tinea capitis occurs, treatment should follow the principles of shaving the head, washing the hair, applying medication, disinfecting, and taking medication. Since fungi thrive in poor sanitary conditions, it is necessary to shave the child's hair and clean and disinfect the scalp, while also taking some antifungal medications. With these measures, the treatment of tinea capitis can achieve good results.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jian Bo
Dermatology
41sec home-news-image

Can washing your hair with vinegar cure tinea capitis?

Washing the scalp with vinegar for tinea capitis can only play a minor treatment role and cannot cure it. Tinea capitis is a skin disease caused by fungal infections and requires treatment with antifungal medications. For example, topical application of clotrimazole cream or terbinafine cream can be used, along with antifungal shampoos such as selenium sulfide shampoo or ketoconazole shampoo. Patients with severe tinea capitis may also need oral medication treatment, such as taking itraconazole capsules or terbinafine tablets. It is advisable not to self-medicate tinea capitis, and systematic treatment should be sought at a hospital.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
46sec home-news-image

How to treat recurring tinea capitis?

If recurrent attacks of tinea capitis occur, it may be related to poor lifestyle habits of the patient and not eradicating the condition with medication. To prevent recurrent attacks, the following suggestions are recommended: Firstly, wash your hair diligently every day to remove scabs, fungal attachments, and some necrotic tissues. Secondly, disinfect everyday items that are commonly in contact. Lastly, use some topical medications for treatment; if the effects of topical medications are insufficient, it may be necessary to combine them with oral antifungal medications. (Use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
33sec home-news-image

Does tinea capitis require dietary restrictions?

For the disease of tinea capitis, it is definitely necessary to avoid certain foods. Firstly, one must not drink alcohol, as it is a stimulant that can worsen the itching symptoms of tinea capitis; secondly, patients with tinea capitis should avoid foods that cause flare-ups such as seafood and mangoes; furthermore, patients should avoid spicy and stimulating foods, greasy foods, and fried foods, such as spicy hot pot, barbecue, raw ginger, raw onions, and raw garlic.