Diagnostic Considerations

Also consider the following:

Demodicidosis ^[22]
Dissecting cellulitis
Lupus vulgaris
Pediculosis capitis
Pityriasis amiantacea
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Not only may favus may occasionally resemble SLE, but disseminated favus has been described in a patient with SLE. ^{[23, 24]}
Tinea capitis: It may appear as an exuberant cutaneous infection without scutula caused by T rubrum. ^[25]

Differential Diagnoses

Workup

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Liu ZH, Xia XJ, Zhang Y, Zhong Y, Sang B, Li QP, et al. Favus of Scrotum Due to Trichophyton rubrum in Immunocompetent Patients: A Clinical, Mycological and Ultrastructural Study. Mycopathologia. 2019 Apr 11. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Scott DB, Scott FP. Dermatophytoses in South Africa. Sabouraudia. 1973 Nov. 11(3):279-82. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Khan KA, Anwar AA. Study of 73 cases of tinea capitis and tinea favosa in adults and adolescents. J Invest Dermatol. 1968 Dec. 51(6):474-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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BLANK F. Human favus in Quebec. Dermatologica. 1962. 125:369-81. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Zhan P, Geng C, Li Z, Jin Y, Jiang Q, Tao L, et al. Evolution of tinea capitis in the Nanchang area, Southern China: a 50-year survey (1965-2014). Mycoses. 2015 May. 58 (5):261-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Media Gallery

Tinea favosa of the scalp shows erythematous lesions with pityroid scaling. Some hairs are short and brittle.
Favus of the scalp shows extensive lesions with scarring alopecia.
Typical fluorescence under Wood lamp examination.
Favus, wax montage. Courtesy of Professor Dr Feliks Wasik, Dermatology, Medical University of Wroclaw, Poland.
Black man, aged 45 years, with favuslike yellow crusting of scalp. Potassium hydroxide and fungal culture were negative.
Culture of Trichophyton schoenleinii on Sabouraud agar. Courtesy of Anna Pawlowicz, PhD, and Professor Barbara Raszeja-Kotelba, MD, Dermatology, University School of Poznan, Poland.
Culture of Trichophyton schoenleinii on Sabouraud agar. Note pleomorphism of the culture. Courtesy of Anna Pawlowicz, PhD, and Professor Barbara Raszeja-Kotelba, MD, Dermatology, University School of Poznan, Poland.
Microculture of Trichophyton schoenleinii shows dichotomic branching and terminal swelling. Light-field microscopy, original magnification X 1000. Courtesy of Anna Pawlowicz, PhD, and Professor Barbara Raszeja-Kotelba, MD, Dermatology, University School of Poznan, Poland.
Microculture of Trichophyton schoenleinii shows characteristic dichotomic branching. Light-field microscopy, original magnification X 1000. Courtesy of Anna Pawlowicz, PhD, and Professor Barbara Raszeja-Kotelba, MD, Dermatology, University School of Poznan, Poland.
Microculture of Trichophyton schoenleinii shows numerous terminal chlamydospores. Light-field microscopy, original magnification X 1200. Courtesy of Anna Pawlowicz, PhD, and Professor Barbara Raszeja-Kotelba, MD, Dermatology, University School of Poznan, Poland.
Infected hair filled with hyphae shows bubbles of gas and gas tunnels (light field microscopy, original magnification X 2300).

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Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH Professor and Head of Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, New York Academy of Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Jacek C Szepietowski, MD, PhD Professor, Vice-Head, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University; Director of the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland

Disclosure: Received consulting fee from Orfagen for consulting; Received consulting fee from Maruho for consulting; Received consulting fee from Astellas for consulting; Received consulting fee from Abbott for consulting; Received consulting fee from Leo Pharma for consulting; Received consulting fee from Biogenoma for consulting; Received honoraria from Janssen for speaking and teaching; Received honoraria from Medac for speaking and teaching; Received consulting fee from Dignity Sciences for consulting; .

Specialty Editor Board

Richard P Vinson, MD Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Texas Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul Krusinski, MD Director of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, Vice-Chairman, Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Elsevier; WebMD<br/>Served as a speaker for various universities, dermatology societies, and dermatology departments.

Additional Contributors

Franklin Flowers, MD Professor Emeritus, Department of Dermatology, Affiliate Associate Professor of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine

Franklin Flowers, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Mohs Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Favus Differential Diagnoses

Diagnostic Considerations

Differential Diagnoses

References

Tables

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