Scalp ringworm in south-east London and an analysis of a cohort of patients from a paediatric dermatology department

Background Scalp ringworm or tinea capitis has become an increasingly important public health issue in the past decade in Great Britain. Recently, certain dermatology departments in London have seen a large increase in tinea capitis in all its forms. Objectives The aim of this paper is to present the detailed analysis of a cohort of 277 patients with tinea capitis seen during a 2-year period together with the latest local figures of tinea capitis cases from an inner city paediatric dermatology service. Methods Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected prospectively over 2 years from all cases of ringworm in patients seen in a paediatric clinic specially set up for scalp problems. Results Sixty-two per cent of 277 cases of scalp ringworm were caused by Trichophyton tonsurans , occurring mainly (91%) in patients with Afro-Caribbean hair type, more often in boys (68%), and in the 3-8 year olds (70%). Only 7% of the patients had received appropriate treatment with oral griseofulvin. An additional 156 cases from the general paediatric dermatology clinic showed 91%T. tonsurans infections. Conclusions The prevalence of scalp ringworm appears to be reaching epidemic proportions in certain areas that include south-east London. The clinical problem is not yet well recognized by local general practitioners.