Tinea Capitis Presenting as Diffuse Hair Loss and Significance of Trichoscopy: Four Case Reports

Abstract

Tinea capitis is a common fungal infection in children but is less frequently encountered in adults. Tinea capitis presenting as diffuse hair loss is a rare presentation. When patient presents with a diffuse hair loss, tinea capitis is not commonly thought of as differential diagnosis. Low clinical suspicion can lead to inappropriate empiric treatments that delay diagnosis. Trichoscopy in tinea capitis obviates the need for lengthy and invasive procedure or even KOH examinations in the absence of a side lab for diagnosing this common scalp disorder and also avoids misdiagnosis. Trichoscopy not only differentiates tinea capitis from female patterned hair loss but also aids in differentiating ectothrix from endothrix. Here, we present case reports of tinea capitis masquerading as female pattern hair loss with trichoscopy aiding in diagnosis of endothrix infection.