Tinea capitis

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Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up

Ringworm of the scalp

Wood's lamp test - of the scalp

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

Tinea capitis may involve only parts of the scalp, or all of it. Areas that are infected appear bald with small black dots, due to hair that has broken off.

Round, scaly areas of skin that can be red or swollen (inflamed) may be found, as well as pus-filled sores called kerions.

You may have a low-grade fever of around 100 - 101 °F or swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

There is usuallyitching of the scalp.

The appearance of the scalp will make the health care provider suspect tinea capitis. A special lamp called aWood's lamp test can help diagnose a fungal scalp infection.

The health care provider may swab the area and send it for a culture. However it may take up to 3 weeks to get these results.

Rarely, a skin biopsy of the scalp will be done.

Review Date: 10/04/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by 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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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