Tinea capitis

Alternative names:

fungal infection of the scalp; fungal scalp infection; infection - fungal (scalp); tinea of the scalp

Symptoms:

• itching of the scalp, may be slight or absent
• skin (scalp) lesions
  • round, scaly
  • gray or reddened (skin redness or inflammation)
  • bald appearing patches (hair is broken off, not actually missing)
  • possibly small black dots on the scalp

• occasionally localized area of swelling, raw skin, or pus filled lesion on the scalp (kerion)

Signs and tests:

The diagnosis is suspected primarily based on the appearance of the scalp. A skin lesion biopsy with microscopic examination or culture may show dermatophyte. This test is often not necessary to diagnose tinea capitis. A Wood's lamp test may be performed to confirm the presence of a fungal scalp infection.