Tinea capitis

Tinea capitis (TC) is a common fungal infection of the scalp, hair follicles, and hair shafts that can affect any age group but is particularly common in schoolchildren. The prevalence of TC has risen in the past 2 decades. Griseofulvin, the gold standard of therapy, does not cure about 20% of patients with TC, which has led to recent clinical trials on alternative agents for TC. This article reviews the pertinent new advances in the understanding of the disease and its therapy.