Final answer:
The gold standard treatment plan for tinea capitis is Griseofulvin (microsize/ultramicrosize). Griseofulvin is preferred due to its effectiveness against fungal infections on the scalp, though other antifungals like clotrimazole and terbinafine have their roles in treating different forms of fungal skin infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gold standard treatment plan for tinea capitis is b. Griseofulvin (microsize/ultramicrosize). Tinea capitis, commonly known as scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection that affects the scalp. Among the various antifungal treatments available, griseofulvin has long been considered the treatment of choice for tinea capitis due to its effectiveness in eradicating the infection. The medication is taken orally and works by inhibiting fungal cell mitosis, thereby stopping the growth of the fungi responsible for the infection.
Other treatments such as clotrimazole, terbinafine, and ketoconazole are also used for fungal infections of the skin and nails; however, these are typically reserved for topical treatment of conditions like athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm of the body, and onychomycosis. In certain cases, terbinafine may be used orally for nail fungus, but griseofulvin remains the preferred choice specifically for tinea capitis.