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Ringworm |
Common ringworm of the scalp (tinea tonsurans)
*Description of disease. – This is a contagious disease caused by a vegetable parasite, and is very common in children, but almost unknown in adults. The parasite is a fungus which attacks the hairs, burrowing into the roots, and producing circular patches having a slightly raised and scurfy surface, the hairs on which are dry, brittle, lustreless, and broken off close to the scalp. Sometimes there is a small pustule at the root of each hair, which discharges a mucous fluid.
Medicinal treatment
Is useful in correcting the condition of constitution which favours the growth and development of the parasite.
Calcarea carbonica
Is useful in the dry variety, especially when it occurs in scrofulous individuals.
DOSE. – Two grains dry on the tongue night and morning.
Rhus toxicodendron
Is an excellent remedy when there is irritation of the scalp, with violent itching and small pustules at the roots of the hairs.
DOSE. – Four drops to be mixed in half a small tumbler of water, and a dessertspoonful taken every night and morning, or three times a day.
Sulphur
May follow Rhus when the pustules dry up and the skin begins to scale off.
DOSE. – As Calcarea.
Accessory treatment
The successful and rapid eradication of the disease will depend on the vigilant application of some mild parasiticide until the hair begins to grow in a natural manner. Cut off the hair for an inch or so around and about the diseases patches, wash the head with warm water and carbolic soap, and paint with Glycerole of Carbolic Acid (1 part of acid to 15 of glycerine) – or with the same diluted with an equal quantity of water if the scalp is very sensitive – every third or fourth morning, allowing the Glycerole to remain on the scalp during the day. Wash the head every night with warm water and soap, and apply Sulphurous Acid lotion (one part of acid to 3 or 4 of water) or hot white vinegar. * The head must be closely watched, and the applications must not be discontinued so long as a single broken-off hair can be detected, or any little dark stubs are visible, or until the hair grows evenly and well over the surface.
In chronic cases, if there are many patches scattered over the head, the whole hair should be shaved or cut off close to the scalp.
Great care should be taken to prevent infection from hairbrushes, towels, etc., and children unaffected by the disease must be separated from those less fortunate.
A nutritious diet, with Cod Liver Oil, complete cleanliness, fresh air and exercise, and warm clothing are of great importance.
Scald head (tinea kerion)
*Description of disease. – A form of Ringworm in which the hair follicles are a good deal inflamed, and pour out a mucous fluid which forms a circular scab, much more prominent than in the common variety, and sometimes resembling a boggy abscess. There is great irritation, the hairs become loose, and readily fall out and become matted together.
Medicinal treatment
Arsenicum album
Is useful if other remedies afford no relief, and the discharge becomes acrid and offensive, with a disposition to ulceration.
DOSE. – Four drops to be mixed in half a small tumbler of water, and a dessertspoonful taken every night and morning, or three times a day.
Rhus toxicodendron
Is an important remedy during the inflammatory stage, and when there is violent itching.
DOSE. – As Arsenicum.
Sepia officinalis
Is considered a specific in this complaint. It may be given after or in alternation with Rhus.
DOSE. – Two grains at intervals of six or eight hours.
Sulphur
May be given in protracted cases, and especially when the scabs are dry and thick.
DOSE. – Two grains night and morning.
Accessory treatment
The application of Glycerole of Carbolic Acid diluted with equal parts of water, and Sulphurous Acid lotion as in Common Ringworm. Care should be taken to improve the general health with cleanliness, nourishing and wholesome food, and suitable exercise in the open air. For the general treatment and necessary precautions, see Common Ringworm of the Scalp. In very obstinate cases a little diluted Citrine ointment (1 part to 15 of lard) may be applied with the finger to the scalp.
Ringworm of the body (tinea circinata)
Description of disease. – Patches which are red, scaly, and itchy, circular in form and with a well defined edge, gradually enlarging until the skin in the central part may be apparently healthy. Usually the edge looks red and scaly, the centre generally somewhat paler and less scaly, though covered with branny desquamation. It is caused by the same fungus as Ringworm of the scalp.