A 45-year-old farmer comes in for a skin evaluation and complains of hair loss on his head. His hair seems to be breaking off in patches, and he notices some scaling on his head. What does the nurse suspect?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tinea capitis is rounded patchy hair loss on the scalp, leaving broken-off hairs, pustules, and scales on the skin, and is caused by a fungal infection. Lesions are fluorescent under a Wood light and are usually observed in children and farmers; tinea capitis is highly contagious. Folliculitis is inflammation of hair follicles which causes a pustule with a hair visible in the center. Toxic alopecia is patchy, asymmetric balding that accompanies severe illness or chemotherapy. Seborrheic dermatitis (cradle cap) is thick, yellow-to-white, greasy adherent scales with mild erythema on the scalp and forehead which is very common in early infancy. The patchy hair loss and scales on the scalp that this patient is experiencing is tinea capitis.

A 45-Year-Old Farmer Comes in for a Skin Evaluation and Complains