Tinea Capitis Hair Loss Tracking: Documenting Fungal Alopecia Recovery
Tinea capitis affects predominantly children and causes scarring alopecia if untreated. Tracking confirms treatment response and catches incomplete clearance before permanent follicle damage occurs. If your child or you have been diagnosed with this fungal scalp infection, systematic documentation of patch size and density recovery provides the objective data your dermatologist needs to manage treatment effectively.
Understanding Tinea Capitis Hair Loss
Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp caused by dermatophyte fungi, most commonly Trichophyton and Microsporum species. The fungi invade hair shafts and follicles, causing them to weaken, break, and fall out in patchy patterns.
Unlike alopecia areata (which produces smooth, round patches), tinea capitis patches typically show:
| Feature | Tinea Capitis | Alopecia Areata |
|---|---|---|
| Patch surface | Scaly, inflamed | Smooth, no scaling |
| Broken hairs | "Black dot" stubs visible | Clean loss, no stubs |
| Itching | Common | Rare |
| Inflammation | Often present, sometimes severe | Minimal |
| Contagious | Yes | No |
| Age group | Primarily children 3-14 | Any age |
This distinction matters for tracking. Tinea capitis patches have measurable boundaries that should shrink with treatment, while the scalp surface within patches should clear of scaling and inflammation.
How to Track Tinea Capitis Recovery: Step by Step
Step 1: Document Each Patch at Diagnosis
At the time of diagnosis or as soon as antifungal treatment begins, photograph every affected patch:
- Place a small ruler or coin next to each patch for scale reference
- Photograph from directly above the patch (bird's-eye view)
- Note the approximate diameter in centimeters
- Record the patch location (crown, temple, occipital, parietal)
| Patch Data | What to Record | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Region of scalp | Right parietal |
| Diameter | Measured with ruler | 3.2 cm x 2.8 cm |
| Surface condition | Scaling, inflammation, black dots | Moderate scaling, black dot pattern |
| Symptom level | Itching, tenderness (0-10 scale) | Itching 6/10 |
| Photo ID | Session and photo number | Session 1, Photo 3 |
Step 2: Record Your Antifungal Protocol
Document the prescribed treatment plan:
- Medication name: Griseofulvin, terbinafine, itraconazole, or fluconazole
- Dose: Exact milligrams per day
- Duration: Prescribed treatment length (typically 6-8 weeks for oral antifungals)
- Adjunct therapy: Antifungal shampoo (ketoconazole 2%, selenium sulfide)
- Start date: The first day of treatment
This record ensures you can correlate treatment milestones with visual changes in your tracking data.
Step 3: Track Weekly During Active Treatment
During antifungal treatment, photograph each patch weekly. Weekly intervals are important for tinea capitis because:
- Fungal clearance can happen rapidly once the right medication is chosen
- Treatment failure needs to be caught early (if patches are not shrinking by week 3-4, the protocol may need adjustment)
- Scaling and inflammation changes precede hair regrowth
At each weekly session, record:
- Patch diameter (measure the longest axis)
- Surface condition changes (less scaling? reduced redness?)
- Symptom changes (less itching?)
- Any new patches appearing (suggests incomplete treatment or reinfection)
Step 4: Monitor the Regrowth Phase
After fungal clearance (typically confirmed by your dermatologist at 6-8 weeks), switch to biweekly tracking to document hair regrowth within the cleared patches.
| Recovery Phase | Timeline | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Fungal clearance | Weeks 2-8 | Scaling resolves, inflammation fades |
| Follicle recovery | Weeks 6-12 | Tiny vellus hairs appear in patch |
| Active regrowth | Months 3-6 | Terminal hairs growing, patch filling in |
| Full recovery | Months 6-12 | Patch indistinguishable from surrounding hair |
The AI analysis quantifies the percentage of each patch that shows new growth at each session. This creates a recovery curve you can share with your doctor.
Step 5: Watch for Incomplete Clearance
One of the biggest risks with tinea capitis is stopping treatment too early. If the infection is not fully cleared, it will recur, potentially causing additional follicle damage.
Warning signs of incomplete clearance:
- Patch stops shrinking before fully resolving
- New scaling appears after initial improvement
- Broken hairs ("black dots") return within a cleared area
- New patches develop during or after treatment
Your tracking data makes these patterns obvious. A recovering patch that suddenly reverses course signals the need for extended treatment or a medication change.
Tracking for Children
Since tinea capitis primarily affects children, tracking often falls to parents. Keep these considerations in mind:
- Keep photo sessions brief (under 5 minutes) to maintain cooperation
- Use the same bathroom or room each time for consistent lighting
- Store the ruler in the same location so it is always available
- Make it a routine, like brushing teeth, rather than a medical event
For detailed protocols on tracking hair conditions in children, see our pediatric hair loss tracking guide. If the patches resemble smooth, round loss without scaling, review our alopecia areata monitoring guide to help your dermatologist differentiate between conditions.
Preventing Scarring: Why Tracking Matters
Untreated or undertreated tinea capitis can progress to a kerion, a severe inflammatory response that destroys follicles permanently. Tracking catches the warning signs (increasing inflammation, worsening despite treatment) before scarring occurs.
The goal is simple: document that patches are shrinking, scaling is resolving, and hair is regrowing. If your tracking data shows anything other than steady improvement, it is time to contact your dermatologist.
Start Documenting Your Recovery
Whether you are tracking for yourself or your child, the sooner you begin, the more complete your recovery record will be.
Upload your first patch photos at myhairline.ai/analyze and start building the treatment timeline that helps your doctor manage your case effectively.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Tinea capitis requires prescription antifungal treatment. Consult a dermatologist or pediatrician for diagnosis and treatment.