Endgames
Spot Diagnosis
Black dots on the scalp of a child
BMJ 2022; 378 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-070218 (Published 28 July 2022) Cite this as: BMJ 2022;378:e070218
- Yuan Yuan Xiao, dermatologist,
- Ya Bin Zhou, dermatologist
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
- Correspondence to Y B Zhou chouyabin{at}163.com
A young child visited the hospital outpatient clinic with a four week history of hair loss and black dots on her scalp. She reported no itching or pain. On physical examination, numerous black dots were observed on her scalp (fig 1). Similar lesions were seen on the scalp of the child’s mother, but not her father.
Fig 1
Black dots on the scalp
What is the diagnosis?
Answer
Tinea capitis, a common dermatophyte infection of the scalp and …
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