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.