From the Guidelines
Head and Shoulders shampoo is not effective for treating or stopping the spread of Tinea corporis (Ringworm). The most recent and highest quality study, 1, does not support the use of zinc pyrithione shampoo for the treatment of Tinea corporis. Instead, it highlights the importance of avoiding skin-to-skin contact and not sharing personal items to prevent the spread of the infection.
Key Points to Consider
- Tinea corporis is a highly contagious fungal infection that requires specific antifungal medications to treat properly, such as oral itraconazole, terbinafine, or griseofulvin, as mentioned in the study 1.
- Over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments, or shampoos containing ingredients like ketoconazole, clotrimazole, or miconazole can be used for skin infections, but not as a replacement for prescription medications.
- To prevent the spread of Tinea corporis, it is essential to avoid sharing personal items, wash bedding and clothes regularly, and continue treatment for the full prescribed duration, even if symptoms improve, as suggested in the study 1.
Treatment and Prevention
- The study 1 suggests that oral agents, such as itraconazole, have proven efficacious in the treatment of most cases of Tinea corporis, with a mycological cure rate of 87% when given for 15 days.
- Terbinafine appears to be superior for treating Tinea tonsurans, as mentioned in the study 1.
- While Head and Shoulders contains zinc pyrithione, which has some antifungal properties, it is not strong enough to effectively treat Tinea corporis, and its use is not supported by the study 1.
From the Research
Effectiveness of Head and Shoulders (Zinc Pyrithione) Shampoo
- There are no research papers provided that directly assess the effectiveness of Head and Shoulders (Zinc Pyrithione) shampoo in stopping the spread of Tinea corporis (Ringworm) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The provided studies focus on the treatment of Tinea capitis, Tinea imbricata, and other dermatophyte infections using various antifungal agents, but do not mention the use of Zinc Pyrithione shampoo for Tinea corporis.
Treatment Options for Tinea Corporis
- The studies suggest that systemic antifungal agents such as itraconazole, terbinafine, and griseofulvin are effective in treating Tinea corporis and other dermatophyte infections 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, the effectiveness of these treatments can vary depending on the specific condition, location, and patient population 5.