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Tinea capitis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Fungal infection - scalp; Infection - fungal - scalp; Tinea of the scalp; Ringworm - scalp

Symptoms:

Symptoms include:

Areas that appear bald, due to hair that has broken off
Itching of the scalp
Pus-filled sores (lesions) on the scalp (kerions)
Round, scaly lesions on the scalp that may be red or swollen (inflamed)
Small black dots on the scalp

Signs and tests:

The appearance of the scalp will make the health care provider suspect tinea capitis.

Tests may include:

Skin lesion biopsy with microscopic examination or culture
Wood's lamp test to confirm a fungal scalp infection

Ringworm of the scalp

Wood's lamp test - of the scalp

Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up

Reviewed last on: 10/3/2008
Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Andrews MD, Burns M. Common tinea infections in children. Am Fam Physician. 2008;77:1415-1420.

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