What Is Tinea Capitis?
Oct 12, 2020
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Yong
Introduction
What is tinea capitis?
Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp. It encompasses several distinct types, commonly classified as microsporosis (white patch ringworm), black dot ringworm, favus (yellow ringworm), and kerion (inflammatory, suppurative ringworm). Each type exhibits unique clinical features and is caused by different dermatophyte pathogens. For example, kerion results from infection with dermatophytes—most commonly *Trichophyton* species—accompanied by a suppurative, inflammatory reaction involving the hair follicles, leading to follicular necrosis and abscess formation.
Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm) is typically caused by a fungal infection of the scalp skin. It encompasses several distinct types, commonly classified as microsporum canis infection (white patch tinea), black dot tinea, favus (yellow tinea), and kerion (inflammatory tinea).
Each type exhibits distinct clinical features and is associated with different causative fungal pathogens. For example, kerion results from infection by dermatophytes—particularly Trichophyton species—accompanied by suppurative folliculitis, leading to necrosis of perifollicular tissue and subsequent liquefaction and abscess formation.
White patch tinea and black dot tinea primarily involve the hair follicle root sheath and directly damage the hair shaft itself, resulting in differing clinical presentations.
