ABSTRACT
Superficial folliculitis of the scalp is an inflammatory disorder of the superficial part of the scalp hair follicles. It can be infectious or noninfectious etiology. Patients typically present with multiple small dome-shaped follicular papules or pustules on an erythematous base. Diagnosis of scalp folliculitis is usually based on clinical presentation, and historical information alone, and laboratory tests are not needed. Regarding treatment, mild staphylococcal folliculitis may respond to antibacterial washes that contain chlorhexidine or triclosan. Folliculitis decalvans is a rare progressive purulent destructive folliculitis that usually occurs on the scalp and results in scarring alopecia. Tinea capitis is the most common dermatophytosis in children and rarely occurs in adults. Kerion is a severe inflammatory type of tinea capitis usually caused by a T-cell–mediated hypersensitivity reaction against dermatophytes.
