Kerion Barbae with Bacterial Superinfection Presenting as a Rapidly Growing Beard Mass: A Diagnostic Dilemma in a Resource-Limited Setting
October 2025
in “
Nepal Journal of Dermatology Venereology & Leprology
”
Studysummary In this case study, a 55-year-old male farmer from Nepal with a kerion barbae in the beard region showed complete resolution after initiating oral itraconazole, highlighting the potential for misdiagnosis when bacterial superinfection complicates dermatophyte infections. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
This case study discusses a 55-year-old male farmer from rural Nepal with kerion barbae, a rare inflammatory dermatophyte infection of the beard area, which was complicated by a bacterial superinfection. The patient presented with nodulo-ulcerative and pustular lesions, initially misdiagnosed due to negative fungal tests and partial response to antibiotics. The condition improved rapidly with oral itraconazole, highlighting the importance of considering kerion barbae in similar cases, especially in resource-limited settings, to prevent misdiagnosis and complications like scarring and alopecia.
