TLDR Kerion, a scalp fungal infection, requires lab confirmation and is treated with antifungal medication and medicated shampoo.
The document discusses the diagnosis and treatment of kerion, an exaggerated inflammatory response to tinea capitis, a fungal infection of the scalp and hair shaft. The differential diagnosis for the condition includes acute bacterial abscesses, alopecia folliculitis, and psoriasis. Due to the unreliability of clinical diagnosis alone, laboratory confirmation is necessary, which involves specimen collection through aspiration, the toothbrush method, or cotton swab method, followed by microscopic evaluation using potassium hydroxide and fungal stains, and culture on specific media. Treatment requires systemic therapy, with griseofulvin at 20 to 25 mg/kg/day being the gold standard, although itraconazole and terbinafine may also be effective. Mycological cure rates for a 6- to 8-week treatment course range from 70 to 100%. Adjunctive therapy with 2% ketoconazole or 1% selenium sulfide shampoo can reduce transmission risk. In the case presented, the patient was empirically started on griseofulvin and selenium sulfide shampoo, with follow-up planned in 4 weeks.
125 citations,
May 2010 in “Pediatric dermatology” Systemic treatment is necessary for tinea capitis in children, with griseofulvin preferred for Microsporum infections.
41 citations,
September 2007 in “Pediatric emergency care” Oral medication is necessary to treat scalp fungus in children, with griseofulvin being the usual choice.
33 citations,
February 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Treat scalp and beard fungal infections early with oral antifungal medication and sometimes topical therapy, avoiding unnecessary allergy tests and surgery.
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7 citations,
November 2000 in “Clinics in Dermatology” Most hair loss in children is caused by a few common conditions and is easy to diagnose, but rare types require careful evaluation.
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91 citations,
July 2004 in “BMJ. British medical journal” The document concludes that molluscum contagiosum is a common, benign skin infection in children, often healing without scarring.
1 citations,
January 2013 in “Elsevier eBooks” The document reviews various hair and nail disorders, their causes, and treatments, emphasizing the need for proper diagnosis and the link between nail changes and systemic diseases.
41 citations,
January 2011 in “Nippon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi” Tinea incognito in Iran commonly affects adults and mimics other skin conditions.
41 citations,
September 2007 in “Pediatric emergency care” Oral medication is necessary to treat scalp fungus in children, with griseofulvin being the usual choice.
