Inflammatory Tinea Capitis Mimicking Dissecting Cellulitis in a Healthy Woman.

INTRODUCTION

Inflammatory tinea capitis (TC) is uncommon in adults.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old healthy woman presented with a 2-year history of scalp alopecia with purulent discharge. Clinical, trichoscopic, and histological features and the negativity of a first fungal sampling were consistent with the diagnosis of dissecting cellulitis of the scalp. A second mycological examination guided by trichoscopy was carried out, showing tinea endothrix. Fungal culture isolated trichophyton violaceum. The patient was treated with terbinafine with complete healing.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of adult TC is challenging, mainly the inflammatory form. An exhaustive trichoscopic examination of all alopecic plaques may help make a rapid diagnosis and provide a guide to the mycological examination.