Scalp rash

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Though diagnosis of scalp dermatitis / infection is easy, treatment can be more difficult. Topical therapy alone, or topical therapy in coordination with systemic therapy for long periods may be essential to maintain complete control of these problems.

In alphabetical order. ^[1][2]

• Contact dermatitis
• Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp
• Discoid lupus
• Kerion
• Psoriasis
• Scalp folliculitis
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Tinea capitis

• Diffuse
• White
• Non-adherent

• Use intact scalp pustule to determine diagnosis.

• KOH prep can be done in the office to check for spores within the hair shaft.
• Fungal cultures can be taken at the site of a kerion or scalp scale to rule out tinea capitis.

• Ensure root is intact.

• A shave biopsy should not be done liberally, and it can aid in the determination of seborrheic dermatitis.

• Ketoconazole
• Tar
• Salicylic acid shampoos
• Zinc pyrithione

• Antifungal therapy

• Anti-fungal therapy
• Steroids

• 1st generation cephalosporin or tetracycline derivative for 2-4 weeks

• Intralesional injection of steroids

• Intralesional steroids
• Systemic retinoids
• Antibiotic therapy

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