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Hair shaft/follicle still fluorescing green after ringworm

My 4yr old son got ringworm in his hair from an adopted cat in February. (We all did) Since then he has been on several months of different oral medications. We have also been putting prescription anti-fungal cream on it every night since Feb. We have been shampooing his hair with Ketoconazole for two months.

Our pediatrician initially diagnosed all of us with a blacklight and observation of lesions. All of the other lesions on everyone healed within 8 weeks. Except my 4yr olds one on his head. After three months he still had three hairs that were fluorescing green but had been on oral medication for so long that the Dr. wanted us to stop all meds to see if it was gone. Well, 6 days off meds and he had three kerions - one where each of the remaining fluorescing hairs were. So, the Dr suggested going to a dermatologist (who does not believe in using the blacklight). He plucked a couple hairs and tested them. They came back negative... but I think he didn't pluck any of the affected hairs. Then he gave us the shampoo and said to use it for 8 weeks and if it comes back after that then they will do a scalp biopsy because he doesn't think it is ringworm. --- everything I have been told and read says not to puncture the skin if you suspect ringworm because it can drive it deeper into the scalp and really cause some dangerous problems. So I am terrified to go back to the dermatologist. My Dr is back to saying, "well, lets leave it and see if ringworm comes back"--- UGH... my son already has bald spots that are not growing hair back because of this crap. I do not want to wait and see! I have animals and other children that this could affect again so I am really really scared to stop the medications on his head because there are still 19 hairs fluorescing green, just like before.

Has anyone been through this? Logically he has been on oral meds for about 4 or 5 months, prescription cream for 9 months straight without fail, and ketoconazole shampoo for 8 weeks. There should be no way in hell that any ringworm survived. But.... he still has fluorescing hairs and we have stopped his meds once before and he got ringworm back way worse the second time around.
I have looked everywhere and can not find anything that states what else fluoresces green on the hair.
Please if anyone has any suggestions, let me know. This is driving me crazy.

The dermatologist said that "there are many things that fluoresce green on the hair shaft like this and that is why he does not use a blacklight because it isn't definitive". BUT he could not tell me ANYTHING else that fluoresces like that. So... ugh.. any help would be appreciated! Thank you!
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2218783 tn?1357571081

Hi angie I found this online I am sure you have researched just wanted to offer help :) I hope your son is doing better I Know this has to be frustrating.



Ringworm on Scalp Treatment



Self-Care at Home

Sometimes, scalp ringworm can heal without treatment, but consulting a doctor is advised. To ensure timely management of the infection, it must be treated with a course of oral antifungal medications. Shaving the scalp is unnecessary.

    Shampoo with selenium sulfide (1%-2.5%), zinc pyrithione (1%-2%), or ketoconazole used two to three times weekly at home can help decrease shedding of spores, decrease spread of the infection to other people, and should be used together with the oral medications. Shampoos include Head & Shoulders Intensive Treatment, Selsun, Selsun Blue, Selsun Gold for Women, and Nizoral. Stronger medicated shampoos are sometimes prescribed by doctors, but in general, over-the-counter shampoos can be used.
    Because family members may be carriers, some doctors recommend that family members should also use the medicated shampoo to reduce the number of spores and prevent the infection from returning.
    Oral steroids can also be added for severe inflammatory types of scalp ringworm.

Hairbrushes and combs should be replaced or cleansed with disinfectant such as bleach solution. Bleach solution can be made by combining one part bleach to one part water, then soak the hairbrushes or combs for one hour daily for the first three days after using the shampoo and oral medication.

Home remedies such as vinegar (acetic acid) and tea tree oil have not been shown to improve scalp ringworm and may further irritate the skin and worsen the condition.
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Avatar universal
Thank you.  I did post it there as well as a couple other forums at the same time that I posted here.  I am just looking for answers so I put out feelers anywhere I thought some one could help.  Be it another parent who experienced this or an expert.  
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2218783 tn?1357571081
good idea Mary Good Job :)))
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535822 tn?1443976780
There is also an expert/doctor Dermatology forum on the right hand side of the forums page .
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535822 tn?1443976780
This post will get better answers than I can give if you go to the Dermatology forum and put it up there...good luck I hope you get some answers..
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