Tinea Capitis Tinea capitis is a dermatologic condition that is frequently encountered in the pediatric population.
Diagnosis is often difficult because children often present with nonspecific symptoms.
The predominant organism, Trichophyton tonsurans, can produce a variety of scalp findings, ranging from mild pruritus to frank alopecia. In its later stages, tinea capitis is relatively easy to diagnose. However, it may also resemble seborrhea or folliculitis. A quick, confirmatory test is unavailable. Misdiagnosis will result in delay or improper treatment until the diagnosis can be confirmed by a fungal culture.