Brief Summary (Plain Language Version)
The goal of this observational study is to learn how well changes seen under a special microscope called a trichoscope (used to look at hair and scalp) match the success of treatment in children and adolescents with a scalp fungal infection called tinea capitis. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do changes in trichoscopic findings show when the fungal infection is cured?
Does having more severe trichoscopic findings at the start mean that treatment will take longer or be less successful?
Do different fungus types respond differently to the same treatment?
Participants will:
Be between the ages of 0 and 18 with confirmed tinea capitis based on lab tests (microscopy and/or culture)
Receive an oral antifungal medicine called terbinafine for 4 weeks (dosing based on weight)
Attend regular checkups every 4 weeks until both scalp appearance and lab tests show the infection is gone
At each visit, participants will:
Have their scalp examined using a trichoscope
Provide scalp samples for fungal testing
Be assessed for symptoms like itching, redness, and scaling
The study will also look at how fast different signs on the scalp go away, and which of these signs are best at predicting whether the fungus is still present.
Who can participate
Sex
ALL
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age between 0 and 18 years
Clinical and trichoscopic findings compatible with tinea capitis
Laboratory confirmation of tinea capitis (positive potassium hydroxide \[KOH\] smear and/or fungal culture)
Eligible for systemic antifungal treatment with terbinafine
Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian
Exclusion Criteria:
* Age over 18 years
Negative KOH smear and negative culture
Current use of immunosuppressive therapy or presence of severe systemic illness (e.g., malignancy, HIV, organ transplant)
Contraindication to terbinafine treatment
Poor compliance or unwillingness to attend follow-up visits
Coexisting dermatologic conditions in the affected scalp area (e.g., seborrheic dermatitis, alopecia areata, lichen planus)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Proportion of patients with disappearance of characteristic trichoscopic findings at the time of mycological cure
Timeframe: Up to 12 weeks (until mycological cure is achieved)