Scalp infection - any experience of oral anti-fungal Meds?

[Moom72]

Hi all

My 5 yo has currently got something awful on his scalp! It started as a patch of dry scalp and is now a swollen lump. It's weeping and really painful. We have seen 4 docs in 2 weeks! Currently he is taking anti biotics and has a shampoo to remove the scales plus anti fungal cream.
We cannot get in to see a dermatologist for another 5 weeks. His hair is coming out in the area and to me it looks like ringworm with a Kerion (only Google this if you've got a strong stomach).
I believe this will mean he ultimately had to take oral anti fungal and am really worried about side effects.
I have no idea where this came from and am utterly mortified. Poor little boy and only 2 weeks until school starts. Back to doc on Monday but I don't think they really know what it is!!!!

Could you possibly pay for a private derm?

Yes but even then I can't get in until the end of September! It's a nightmare!

Bless him...it must be worrying. Are you concerned about how it will look when he begins school? If so, you could speak to school about it and they will let him keep a baseball cap on. Have they really not given you anything topical for it at all?

Also you could ask is there not a community dermatologist in the area? That's a GP with a specialisation....if not, ask for a different GP...a GP should recognise ringworm!

Ringworm can be quite effectively treated with a paste of vinegar and salt too....at home. Can often clear up in 7 days.

Zinc cream helps a lot if it is fungus related.
Do you have any Sudocrem? It may help the symptoms while you wait for an appointment

One of mine had oral meds for ringworm (skin not scalp) and it was fine
I'm surprised you can't get a private derm any quicker; have you tried a few?

We had oral antifungals (fluconazole-diflicun) for different reasons and we were fine
You do need to be careful for liver issues though so you can only do a few days at a time (we gave lots of celery juice to help with liver ) but this should help it clear it within a week

The doctors prescribed it already?

DD had this last year, she was totally bald on the back of her head. Was fobbed off with creams and shampoo. took swabs but they take 6 weeks to cultivate. After 6 weeks i insisted on anti fungal tablets. wish i had pushed for them earlier.

Thanks everyone for your help. Still no further forward, had another appt with doc today but he openly admitted "I have no idea what that is". I have managed to get a Derm appointment for 6th of Sept. I fear it's too late for the follicles in the affected area though

hifi did your LO hair grow back? xx

Main side effects IME are nausea and diarrhoea.

Is there a dermatology nurse specialist in your area or is it consultant based only.

Not sure about a dermatology nurse actually or a community dermatologist - that's a good idea. Will ask surgery tomorrow - thanks all

The waiting list for the nurse specialists is often a bit shorter than consultants and they can often prescribe too. Worth a try maybe.

I would also go back to a different GP too. Speak to one of the other partners at the surgery for a 2nd opinion in the meanwhile.

Thanks MumiTravels - have already done the second (and third) opinion thing. The Doc with the Paediatric specialty is on holiday (obviously!!! It seems everyone is!!)

Let us know what they say Moom...hope something comes out of it. x

Good luck Moom x

yes its growing back, taken over a year though.

Thanks all. Finally managed to get a wonderful lady to see us today after sending her pics (she rang and said "come NOW"!!) It is ringworm in his scalp with a "Kerion" abscess (for goodness sake don't look it up unless you're strong of stomach!) It is rare but there we are. Am mortified. Feel dirty and awful!! We have got oral anti fungals but she said he should be fine with them. Six weeks to start with but possibly more. Asked about lover etc but she said that it will not be an issue to worry about for him. Am trusting her and trying to not worry about side effects! Thanks to all of you for help and support x

Brilliant stuff!!!