Which statement about treatment of tinea capitis is correct?

Which statement about treatment of tinea capitis is correct?

• A. No antifungal treatment required
• B. Topical antifungal agents alone are sufficient
• C. Selenium sulfide shampoo alone cures
• D. Systemic antifungal agents are required

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that tinea capitis requires systemic antifungal therapy because the fungus invades the hair shaft and follicles. Topical antifungals don’t penetrate deeply enough to reach organisms inside the hair, so they can’t fully eradicate the infection. While medicated shampoos like selenium sulfide can help reduce surface fungal material and ease itching or spread, they do not cure the infection on their own. That’s why systemic, oral antifungal treatment is necessary to reach the hair follicles and clear the infection, typically over several weeks.

The key idea is that tinea capitis requires systemic antifungal therapy because the fungus invades the hair shaft and follicles. Topical antifungals don’t penetrate deeply enough to reach organisms inside the hair, so they can’t fully eradicate the infection. While medicated shampoos like selenium sulfide can help reduce surface fungal material and ease itching or spread, they do not cure the infection on their own. That’s why systemic, oral antifungal treatment is necessary to reach the hair follicles and clear the infection, typically over several weeks.