What is the typical duration of oral griseofulvin therapy for tinea capitis in children?

• A. 1-2 weeks
• B. 4-8 weeks
• C. 2-3 days
• D. 6 months

Answer: (B)

Systemic therapy for tinea capitis in children requires a prolonged course because griseofulvin works by becoming incorporated into keratin as new hair and scalp skin are formed, and it only clears the infection as the affected keratin is shed and replaced. Hair growth in the scalp is slow, so it takes weeks for new, fungus-free keratin to appear and for the infection to resolve clinically. This is why the typical duration is several weeks, usually around 4 to 8 weeks (often 6–8 weeks). Short courses like a few days or weeks won’t eradicate the dermatophyte, while an extended, multi-month course isn’t necessary for most cases and increases risk of side effects. Griseofulvin is chosen in this context because topical agents don’t penetrate well to the hair shaft, and fatty meals improve its absorption, aiding effectiveness over the intended course.