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Fungal Skin Infection – Scalp (PG)
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1. What is the medical term for fungal infection of the scalp?
*
Tinea pedis
Tinea capitis
Tinea corporis
Onychomycosis
2. Which population is most commonly affected by tinea capitis?
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Adults over 65
Teenagers
Children aged 3–10
Post-menopausal women
3. What is a common sign of tinea capitis?
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Scalp swelling
Well-demarcated patch of hair loss with scaling
Pustular rash
Bleeding scalp lesions
4. What is the common causative organism in tinea capitis in the UK?
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Trichophyton tonsurans
Candida albicans
Pityrosporum ovale
Malassezia furfur
5. How is tinea capitis confirmed diagnostically?
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Swab
Wood’s lamp and culture
Blood test
Scalp biopsy
6. What is the first-line treatment for tinea capitis in children?
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Topical terbinafine
Oral griseofulvin
Topical miconazole
Topical steroid cream
7. Why are topical antifungals alone not effective in tinea capitis?
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Scalp is too thick
Organisms are deep in hair follicles
Topical agents are too weak
All infections are bacterial
8. What adjunct treatment is recommended to reduce spread of tinea capitis?
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Topical ketoconazole shampoo for household contacts
Shave child's head
Isolate child
Wear a hat indoors
9. Which of the following is a potential complication of untreated tinea capitis?
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Permanent scarring alopecia
Diabetes
Psoriasis
Contact dermatitis
10. What is a kerion in the context of tinea capitis?
*
A bacterial co-infection
An inflammatory abscess-like reaction with boggy swelling
A nail deformity
A fungal nail infection
11. What public health advice is important in tinea capitis?
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Keep child out of school until cleared
Stop all hair washing
Inform school and avoid sharing combs or hats
Use hydrocortisone cream
12. How long is typical oral antifungal treatment for tinea capitis?
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1 week
2 weeks
4–6 weeks
3 months
13. Which antifungal is sometimes used as an alternative to griseofulvin?
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Fluconazole
Nystatin
Ketoconazole
Amoxicillin
14. What test is helpful for monitoring response to tinea capitis treatment?
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Repeat fungal culture
Scalp biopsy
Scalp ultrasound
Pink swab
15. What is the mode of transmission of tinea capitis?
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Only via blood
Direct contact and shared personal items
Mosquito bites
Airborne droplet
16. What hygiene advice helps prevent recurrence?
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Use same towel for head and feet
Wash hair weekly
Daily hair washing and avoid shared combs
Sleep with pets
17. Why is early treatment of tinea capitis important?
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To reduce dandruff
To prevent school absence
To avoid permanent hair loss
To help scalp moisturise
18. What additional investigation might be needed for severe kerion?
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eGFR blood test
Scalp biopsy
Swab for bacterial culture
D. Ultrasound of scalp
19. How often should household surfaces and bedding be cleaned during treatment?
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Every month
Only at start
Fortnightly
At least weekly
20. What condition can tinea capitis be mistaken for in early stages?
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Alopecia areata
Eczema
Cradle cap
All of the above