Will tinea capitis be contagious if someone touches it?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on February 09, 2025
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If someone with tinea capitis briefly makes contact, it generally isn't contagious. If the skin is washed promptly with soapy water after contact, it will not lead to infection. It is important to maintain cleanliness, wash hands frequently, and wash hands thoroughly to minimize the risk of infection.

Tinea capitis is a contagious skin disease caused by a superficial fungal infection of the scalp. Hats, pillows, and combs used by individuals with tinea capitis can have many fungi attached to them, and using these combs or wearing hats, using the pillows can easily lead to fungal infections.

If tinea capitis occurs, it is important to use antifungal medications promptly for treatment. Under a doctor's guidance, using ketoconazole topical shampoo can be effective, and in severe cases, it may be necessary to combine this with oral antifungal medications for treatment.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
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Can people with tinea capitis eat lamb?

Patients with tinea capitis should not eat mutton. Mutton is considered a dry and hot food, and consuming it can worsen the symptoms of tinea capitis, especially burning and itching. In addition to mutton, there are many other foods that patients with tinea capitis should avoid. For example, fried foods, greasy foods, and spicy foods should be avoided or consumed less. Furthermore, seafood and foods that are rich and potent should also be avoided.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
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What is the difference between tinea capitis and seborrheic dermatitis?

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.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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How can tinea capitis be treated to eradicate it completely?

To achieve a radical cure for tinea capitis, it is first necessary to consider the extent of the condition. If the affected area is not very large, then topical medications may suffice. Common choices for antifungal topical medications include Terbinafine Hydrochloride Cream, Luliconazole Cream, Oxiconazole Nitrate Cream, or Ketoconazole Cream. If the tinea capitis is progressing and there is significant damage to the hair in the affected area, oral medication may be required for treatment. However, liver and kidney function tests should be conducted prior to this. If liver and kidney functions are normal, options include oral Itraconazole Dispersible Tablets, Terbinafine Hydrochloride Tablets, or Fluconazole Capsules. If the local hair condition is severe, it may be necessary to timely shave the head while ensuring cleanliness and hygiene of the scalp during treatment.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Is tinea capitis easily contagious to adults?

Tinea capitis is not very contagious to adults. Because most adults have stronger resistance to fungi, the likelihood of infection is much smaller than in children. This disease is more common in children or people with poorer skin resistance. Tinea capitis includes yellow tinea, white tinea, black tinea, and dragon tinea. Regardless of the type, active antifungal treatment should be received. Avoid eating irritating foods, such as raw ginger, raw onions, pepper, chili, etc.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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How to remove tinea capitis

Tinea capitis is a common skin disease, often caused by a fungal infection of the scalp. To remove tinea capitis, it is suggested to pay attention to the following points: First, wash your hair frequently. You can use topical potassium permanganate solutions for scalp cleansing, removing necrotic tissue, fungi, and some crusts. Second, it is advised to pay attention to personal hygiene and avoid eating spicy foods. Furthermore, for mild cases of tinea capitis, it is advisable to use selenium sulfide cleansers for washing. Lastly, for more severe tinea capitis, it is necessary to use topical antifungal medications such as ketoconazole ointment, along with oral antifungal medications for treatment (the use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor).