Tinea Capitis Incognito in Adult: A Case Report

Authors

  • Waroonphan Leecharoen Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Charussri Leeyaphan Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Sumanas Bunyaratavej Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

Keywords:

tinea capitis, adult, tinea incognit

Abstract

Tinea capitis is a superficial fungal infection of the hair and scalp caused by dermatophytes, usually Trichophyton and Microsporum species.1 Tinea capitis is common in children, while it occurs in adults who are immunocompromised or postmenopausal. Clinical manifestation of tinea capitis is highly variable, including grey patch, black dot, pustules, kerion, and favus. Tinea capitis in adult patients may have different clinical manifestations from those in children, which lead to the difficulty in diagnosis and consequently delay in treatment. Moreover, the lesions that have been treated with corticosteroids could potentially change to mimic other scalp diseases. We reported a 64-year-old woman with tinea capitis mimicking scalp dermatitis and receiving topical steroid. Trichoscopy and wood lamp’s examination help to make the diagnosis. KOH preparation and fungal culture are valuable to confirm the diagnosis and determine the causative organisms.

References

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Published

2018-12-04

How to Cite

Leecharoen, W., Leeyaphan, C., & Bunyaratavej, S. (2018). Tinea Capitis Incognito in Adult: A Case Report. Thai Journal of Dermatology, 34(3), 225–230. Retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TJD/article/view/158919