TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATORY TINEA CAPITIS WITH COMBINATION THERAPY TO AVOID SCARRING ALOPECIA

Thirty patients (18 boys, 12 girls, age range 3-14 years) were treated with combination therapy of griseofulvin and corticosteroids for tinea capitis. The dosage regimen was 10-12 mg/kg per day of griseofulvin and 1 mg/kg per day of corticosteroids. Griseofulvin was given for 8 weeks and oral corticosteroids given for a minimum period of three weeks in a tapering dose. Patients were followed up at weeks, 2,4 and 8. As each visit clinical assessment was made and material taken for mycological examination. At the end of week 8, the positive mycology had fallen from 100% to 16%. In 25% patients the inflammation was completely settled down, hair growth had started and mycological examination was negative. In 5 patients, where the mycological examination was positive, were advised griseofulvin for 4 more weeks. Four children developed gastro intestinal adverse effects, which were considered to be minor. The data from this small study need to be confirmed in larger group of patients.