How long is the typical duration of treatment before clearance in black dot tinea capitis?

In cases of black dot tinea capitis, which is a fungal infection of the scalp typically caused by Trichophyton tonsurans, the recommended duration of treatment is generally around 2 weeks before assessing for clinical clearance. Antifungal medications, such as griseofulvin or terbinafine, are often prescribed in these situations, and it typically takes this amount of time for the medication to effectively treat the infection and for new hair growth to become visible.

After approximately 2 weeks of treatment, physicians will often evaluate the condition of the scalp and hair to determine if there has been significant improvement or clearance of the fungal infection. This timeline allows for the antifungal action to take effect while providing sufficient time to monitor for any continuing signs of infection or scalp health.

Longer durations listed in other options might be applicable in different forms of tinea capitis or in complicated cases, but for the uncomplicated black dot variant, 2 weeks is an appropriate timeframe for treatment and evaluation. This process underscores the importance of early identification and intervention in managing scalp fungal infections effectively.