

If it turns out you do have tinea capitis, your doctor will be able to prescribe oral anti-fungal medication to kill the infection. While you can use a dandruff shampoo for two weeks to first rule out dandruff, it’s better to first rule out tinea capitis if you think it might be a possibility. The reason for this is that tinea capitis, left unchecked, can become a truly unpleasant condition. If you’re not sure whether you have dandruff or tinea capitis, your best bet is really to go straight to the doctor.
#Tinea capitis scalp otc skin#
Round areas of scaly skin that become red and inflamedĬlearly, this condition can be a bit more severe than dandruff, and the treatment reflects that. This includes other people, animals, or even objects that have come into contact with those suffering from it.īald spot(s), with black dots where hair has broken off Unlike Malassezia globosa, tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the top layer of skin, and can be contracted through contact with others suffering from the problem. Like dandruff, tinea capitis is caused by a fungus – in this case, it’s a mold-like fungus from the dermatophyte family. Tinea capitis, on the other hand, is not so forgiving. Using a dandruff shampoo regularly – ideally every wash, but at least twice a week- is all it takes to fight dandruff and keep it away in the future. Happily, treating dandruff isn’t too hard. A large portion of the human population is sensitive to oleic acid, so its presence triggers symptoms that include: Unfortunately, one of the by-products of Malassezia globosa’s diet is oleic acid. This yeast-like fungus is present on all of our bodies, living atop the skin and doing nothing more harmful than consuming the natural oils from our skin. Dandruff is caused by the Malassezia globosa fungus.
