Pityriasis Versicolor on the Scalp: An Unusual Distribution of a Common Disease
June 2023
in “
Pediatric investigation
”
Studysummary This case report describes a 7-year-old boy with pityriasis versicolor presenting as scalp hypopigmentation, a rare distribution for this fungal infection. Diagnosis was confirmed via Wood's lamp examination and microscopy, and the condition resolved after treatment with topical terbinafine hydrochloride cream. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
A 7-year-old boy presented with unusual scalp hypopigmentation due to pityriasis versicolor (PV), a common superficial fungal infection typically found on the trunk, neck, and upper extremities. The diagnosis was confirmed through Wood's lamp examination and direct microscopy, revealing characteristic thick-walled yeasts and short angular hyphae. The patient was successfully treated with topical terbinafine hydrochloride cream for 6 weeks, resulting in complete resolution of the lesions. This case highlights the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of PV, particularly hypopigmented forms, which can be misdiagnosed and require differentiation from other disorders like vitiligo and pityriasis alba.
