What is the medical term for ringworm of the scalp and its typical symptoms?

• A. Tinea Capitis
• B. Tinea Pedis
• C. Tinea Unguium
• D. Tinea Corporis

Answer: (A)

Ringworm of the scalp is called tinea capitis. This name comes from “tinea,” a fungal skin infection, with “capitis” meaning the head or scalp. It’s a dermatophyte infection that targets the hair shaft and scalp. Typical signs include patchy hair loss with scaling and itching on the scalp; hairs may break off at the skin level, sometimes leaving dark, broken hairs that look like black dots. In some cases, especially in children, the scalp can become inflamed and form a tender mass called a kerion.

The other terms describe fungal infections in different areas: tinea pedis is the feet (athlete’s foot), tinea unguium affects the nails, and tinea corporis is the skin of the body.