Scalp fungus and symptoms
The cause of scalp fungus is the dandruff fungus, which resides in hair follicles and scalp, causing small dandruff flakes to appear. Each infected area has a large, scaly, white patch.
Depending on the body and the fungal agent causing the disease, scalp fungus will develop in the following 3 stages with typical symptoms:
Stage 1: Dandruff appears, hair loss and itching sensation
This is the initial stage of the fungus on the scalp, the patient feels itchy scalp and hair loss, and dandruff also appears a lot. However, many people with the disease at this stage are subjective, thinking that they do not clean their scalp well. However, diligently washing their hair and cleaning more thoroughly does not improve the condition much.
Stage 2: Itching increases, scalp pimples may appear
Dandruff and sebum caused by fungi stimulating the sebaceous glands are very much at this stage. The patient is almost always in a state of itching, restlessness, discomfort, and cannot stop scratching.
Scratching hard will help the patient relieve this uncomfortable feeling, but it will cause the scalp to be damaged, bleed, and form scabs. In addition, scratching the scalp with fungus will inadvertently carry the source of the disease to other areas of the scalp, making the disease worse.
People with scalp fungus feel extremely itchy and restless.
In addition, patients may also see small red pimples appear on the affected skin area and gradually spread. These pimples are not only painful but also damage hair follicles, causing hair loss.
Stage 3: Uncontrolled hair loss
In the final stage of fungal growth in the scalp, hair loss occurs frequently and at an increasing rate. Patients use many methods but cannot prevent hair loss because the fungus in the scalp has grown strongly. It is necessary to treat and eliminate the fungus, restore new hair follicles to help new hair grow.
Hair loss can be accompanied by widespread dermatitis throughout the scalp and other skin areas, greatly affecting the patient’s psychology. Most people with scalp fungus only seek the help of a dermatologist at this stage.
Distinguishing between scalp fungus and scalp psoriasis
This disease is easily confused with other dermatological diseases, especially scalp psoriasis . To treat scalp fungus, it is necessary to correctly identify the disease and use the right medication. Incorrect treatment will cause the disease to develop more strongly, and the symptoms will also be more severe.
Although the initial symptoms of scalp fungus and scalp psoriasis are relatively similar, patients can base on some of the following different signs:
Scalp fungus
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The infected scalp area appears white dandruff flakes, and may have blisters.
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Itchy, uncomfortable scalp.
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hair loss
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Inflamed red pimples appear, then spread out and are covered with sticky dandruff flakes.
Scalp psoriasis
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The infected scalp area has a red rash.
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Scalp feels dry, itchy, uncomfortable.
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No hair loss.
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There are dry, flaky scales with white scales on the forehead and ears. In more severe cases, scales appear all over the scalp.
Scalp fungus is caused by a fungus, while scalp psoriasis and autoimmune diseases are related to the body and immune system disorders, so the treatment for the two diseases is different. In general, scalp fungus is easier to treat.
How to treat scalp fungus
Treating scalp fungus is not too difficult, you can choose home remedies using natural methods or medication depending on your condition and the instructions of a specialist.
Treating scalp fungus with medicine
Currently, there are two types of medications for treating scalp fungus: oral and topical. Topical medications are often used in mild cases. If topical medications are ineffective or for other reasons, the patient is prescribed systemic oral medications.
Topical antifungal medication
The drug is applied directly to the infected scalp area, helping to reduce itching and kill fungus quickly. However, the disadvantage is that the drug has difficulty reaching the fungal cells completely due to the hair blocking it, sometimes the hair must be completely removed to apply the drug. Some commonly used topical antifungal drugs include: Miconazole, Ketoconazole, Naftifine, Fluconazole, Clotrimazole, …
Oral antifungal medication
The advantage of oral antifungal drugs is that they can completely cure the fungus, creating the ability to resist fungus from within the body. However, these drugs often cause some unwanted side effects such as nausea , dizziness, hives, rash, etc. Especially when used for young children, close monitoring and medical intervention are required if the child shows unusual signs.
Oral medication is effective in treating scalp fungus.
Two common oral antifungal medications today are: Griseofulvin for 8-10 weeks, Terbinafine for 4-6 weeks.
Natural methods to treat fungus
The following natural remedies are effective for mild cases of scalp fungus or can be used in combination with medical treatment for increased effectiveness.
Use lemon
Lemon contains natural acid that has antibacterial and antifungal properties. To treat fungus with lemon, use diluted lemon juice, apply the mixture to your hair and massage for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.
Use tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has anti-fungal properties and promotes healing of damaged skin. Each time you use it, you only need 1-2 drops of pure tea tree oil mixed with coconut oil to condition your hair. Do this every other day to see results.
Coconut oil
Massaging the scalp with coconut oil for 1-2 minutes not only reduces itching and discomfort caused by scalp fungus, but the essence also nourishes the hair very well.
Coconut oil helps reduce itching and nourishes hair very well
Vinegar
Dilute vinegar with water and you have an effective exfoliating solution that reduces dandruff and itching.
Scalp fungus is not a difficult disease to treat. The important thing is that you need to actively cooperate with your doctor and treat it persistently and regularly.