title: Superficial fungal infections.
abstract: Tinea capitis, tinea corporis, and pityriasis versicolor are common superficial fungal infections in the pediatric population. • Tinea capitis is the most common dermatophyte infection worldwide. In North America, the cause is almost exclusively T tonsurans. Diagnosis of tinea capitis usually can be made by clinical features alone, especially when occipital or postauricular lymphadenopathy is present. Skin scrapings prepared with potassium hydroxide for microscopic examination, or a cotton swab for fungal culture, usually are diagnostic. • Treatment of tinea capitis requires systemic antifungal therapy. Terbinafine and griseofulvin are both effective against T tonsurans and are FDA-approved for this indication in children. • Adjunctive topical therapy for the patient and household contacts decreases transmission of this infection. • Topical antifungal therapy usually is effective for tinea corporis and pityriasis versicolor. However, recurrences of pityriasis versicolor are common.
authors.affiliation: Tufts University School of Medicine, Bayside Children's Hospital, Springfield, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Brendan P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D014005:Tinea / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D014006:Tinea Capitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D014010:Tinea Versicolor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents