Symptoms & Signs
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
Diagnosis & 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
Pictures & Images
Ringworm of the scalp
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Tinea capitis: Overview, Causes
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Tinea capitis: Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Tinea capitis: Treatment
Review Date : 10/3/2008
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.
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