INTRODUCTIONInflammatory tinea capitis is an uncommon condition in Singapore. In this case report we present a patient whom we managed for this condition.

CLINICAL PICTUREA 4-year-old girl presented to us with multiple pustules over the occipital scalp for 6 weeks, associated with painful cervical lymphadenopathy. Her condition did not respond to topical and oral antibiotics.

TREATMENTThe patient was diagnosed with kerion (inflammatory tinea capitis) and fungal culture of plucked hairs from the kerion grew Microsporum species of dermatophyte. She was treated with a course of oral griseofulvin and topical selenium sulfide shampoo. She was advised to bring her pet cats to the veterinarian for screening, as well as not to share combs with her other siblings.

OUTCOMEHer condition improved with the antifungal therapy, and there was no residual alopecia.

CONCLUSIONPhysicians should consider tinea capitis when they encounter a patient with scalp folliculitis or scarring alopecia in the appropriate clinical context.