Tinea Capitis is one of the several types of tinea which affects the scalp of a person. Tinea is an infection caused by fungus. Other types of tinea includes Tinea Corporis, which affects body parts like arms or legs and tinea cruris, which affects the groin area.
Due to the fact that everything about tinea can be found either in wikipedia or by typing “tinea” in the search box of google, I shall not delve into the fine details to prevent unnecessary duplication of efforts.
This disease is very resistant to treatment and the treatment itself is very costly and consisting of oral antifungal medicine and antifungal creams. The medicines are working by basically destroying as well as inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of the fungus’ cell membrane. Ergosterol is mainly used in the synthesis of Vitamin D as well as to make the membrane partially permeable. Ergosterol is actually the equivalent of cholesterol, which is found on animal’s (including human’s) cell membrane.
When ergosterol is no longer present due to the action of the medicines, the permeability of the cell membrane of the fungus will be affected such that ions in the fungus cell such as K+ and H+ will rapidly leak out of the cell resulting in the necrosis of the cells (death).
Tinea capitis is perhaps a common disease. However, take it lightly at your own peril…
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