Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp
and is almost always caused by Trichophyton tonsurans. Topical antifungal
medications do not penetrate deeply enough into the scalp to be effective
in treating the infection; therefore, oral administration of antifungal
medications is necessary. Tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and
tinea versicolor can be treated with topical antifungal medications.
SUGGESTED READING 1. Zitelli BJ, Davis HW, editors. Atlas of pediatric physical diagnosis.
3rd ed. St. Louis: Mosby-Wolfe; 1997.
