To effectively treat tinea capitis, oral antifungal agents must be used.
Griseofulvin is considered the drug of choice in the U.S.,
Recommended time course is 6 weeks to several months.
Other oral agents to consider include terbinafine, itraconazole, fluconazole, and ketoconazole.
If there is a kerion (area of boggy, purulent inflammation underlying the area of hair loss),
The patient is at increased risk for scarring alopecia due to bacterial superinfection, and a short course of oral steroids and oral antibiotics must be considered.