Treatment of Tinea Capitis with Herbal Remedies – Symptoms & Causes

Introduction

Tinea capitis is the dermatophytosis of the scalp (i.e. fungal infection of the scalp and affect in the cutaneous level). It is also popular by the names like ring worm of the scalp, scalp ringworm, ring worm of the hair, herpes tonsurans & tinea tonsurans. It is an infectious disease. The primary cause of this disease is the invasion of the hair shaft by the dermatophytes like Trychophyton & microsporums genera. It is more often in prepubertal boys than in girls and is uncommon to adults.

Mode of Transmission

The disease can be spread through infectious animals, humans or by coming in contact with infected hairs on brushes, combs, hats, or pillow cases.  It can also be transmitted through the air. It can be infectious even in the carrier state

Signs and Symptoms

Tinea capitis can damage parts of the scalp or all of it. The common symptoms of tinea capitis include

• Loss of hair (alopecia) – it can be in single or multiple patches with a black dot pattern
• Brittle hairs
• Itching
• Scaling
• Dandruff
• Pustule formation
• Redness & inflammation
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Low grade fever

The symptoms and signs may vary according to the genus of the dermatophyte invading the hair shaft.

Microsporosis

Begins with small red papule around the shaft of the hair, which becomes scaly and finally breaks off the hair, 1 – 3 mm above the scalp.

Trychophytosis

Angular shaped non inflammatory dry patches and the hair breaks off at the follicular opening, leaving behind a black dot.

Favus

This begins with numerous crusts which is cup shaped, circular and yellow colored, resembling a honeycomb and a hair projects at the center of the crust. This crust gets increased in size and gets more crusted, forming a characteristic lesion around the scab edge.

Presentation of Tinea Capitis

Ectothrix

Fungal spores affecting the exterior of the hair shaft, destroying the cuticle.

Endothrix

Fungal spore invasion is within in the shaft. The hair cuticle remains intact.

Favus

Skin surface gets crusted, followed by hair loss.

Herbal Remedies For Tinea Capitis

At an Ayurvedic view point, the aggravation of all the three doshas – vata, pitta & kapha – predominantly vata & kapha give rise to a condition called as dadru. This condition is manifested in the skin and scalp. The aggravated doshas affect the rasa, raktha, mamsa & lasika of the body and other deeper tissues. This brings out a papule’s formation and itching of the skin and scalp, followed by hair loss around the lesion.

When Allopathic medicine resorts to steroid therapy and antifungal medications (which may even cause liver damage), Ayurveda offers excellent herbal remedies for tinea capitis without any serious side effects. All these formulations are 100% natural without chemicals, preservatives or additives. Consume these medicines under the prescription of an Ayurveda doctor, as the dosage may differ according to the age and condition of the patient. Planet Ayurveda offers some brilliant choice of medicines including.

• Gandhaka Rasayana
• Neem Capsules
• Gleaming Skin Hair Nail Formula
• Navakarshik Choorna
• Arogyavardhini Vati

Product Description

1. Gandhaka Rasayana

It is a potent anti inflammatory drug prepared out of shudh gandhak. It also has antioxidant and Adaptogenic properties. It helps to relieve any itching or burning sensation due to any underlying pathology. It helps to improve the skin health. It is the most effective medicine in Ayurveda for any kind of skin diseases. It rejuvenates the body and helps in prophylaxis. It also has antimicrobial property.

Dosage – 2 capsules twice daily after meals with lukewarm water.

2. Neem Capsules

These capsules are prepared out of the standardized extract of neem (azadiracta indica). It improves the skin and hair health. It is very effective in almost all skin diseases including acne, eczema, psoriasis, microbial infections. It is also a potent anti inflammatory drug.

Dosage – 1 to 2 capsules twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.

3. Gleaming Skin Hair Nail Formula

This is an excellent formulation that makes your skin and hairs healthy and radiant. The herbs used are manjishta (rubia cordifolia), pitta papda (fumaria officinalis), chirata (swetia chiretta), & aloe vera. This herbal product will resolve the rakta dushti. It also reduces the symptoms like redness, itching, inflammation and fight epidermal super infections.

Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily with lukewarm water after meals.

4. Navakarshik Choorna

It is a very effective blood purifier. It corrects the protein metabolism and cleanses the blood. It is very effective for pain management in arthritic condition. As the name indicates it contains nine ingredients, each taken in karsha pramana (12 gms). The ingredients are amalaki (emblica officianalis), haritaki (terminalia chebula), vibhitaki (terminalia bellerica), neem (azadirachta indica), vacha (acorus calamus), manjishta (rubia cordifolia), katuki (piccorrhiza kurrao), guduci (tinospora cordifolia), daruharidra (berberis aristate). It balances the tridoshas.

Dosage – Half tsp daily after meals.

5. Arogyavardhini Vati

It is classic Ayurvedic formulation aimed at improving the overall health. Ingredients of arogyavardhini vati

• Loha bhasma – calcined iron
• Shudha parada – purified mercury
• Shudha gandhaka – purified sulphur
• Katuki – piccorhiza kurroa
• Castor – ricinus communis
• Shudha guggul – commiphora mukul
• Shudha shilajatu
• Amalaki – emblica officianalis
• Vibheetaki – terminalia bellerica
• Hareetaki – terminalia chebula
• Abhraka bhasma – calcined mica
• Neem juice – azadiracta indica

Arogyavardhini vati helps to expel the excess fat in the body. It is an excellent formulation to control the hormonal level in both boys and girls. It is a great immune modulator. It also has antimicrobial activity which can be used effectively for tinea capitis.

Dosage – 2 tablets twice daily after meals with lukewarm water

Dietary & lifestyle Changes Needed For Tinea Capitis

• Keep up your personal hygiene
• Use medicated shampoos after consulting with your physician
• Keep a safe distance from infected persons and animals
• Please don’t share personal items like brushes, comb, bath towels, cap etc.
• Vitamin A and vitamin E rich foods should be taken – natural immune system enhancer.
• Garlic and clove has beneficial effects on tinea capitis.