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Fungal skin infection - scalp - Management
Basis for recommendation

These recommendations are based on a report from the Health Protection Agency [HPA, 2007], an expert-consensus guideline on the management of scalp ringworm from the British Association of Dermatologists [Higgins et al, 2000], and expert opinion [Gupta et al, 2004].

  • Although children with scalp ringworm can theoretically pass the infection to non-infected children, they are likely to have been at school for some time before detection of the infection. Exclusion from school merely reinforces the child's isolation and is probably too late to prevent spread [HPA, 2007]. However, they should start appropriate oral and adjuvant topical antifungal treatment before returning to school [Higgins et al, 2000].

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