Tinea capitis is best described as?

• A. Patchy hair loss in round or oval areas
• B. A fungal infection of the scalp (ringworm)
• C. Beaded hair caused by irregular hair growth
• D. Infestation of head lice

Answer: (B)

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp, commonly called ringworm. It’s caused by dermatophyte fungi such as Trichophyton or Microsporum and typically presents as patchy hair loss with scaling; hairs may break at the scalp, leaving dark or “black-dot” areas in some cases. It’s contagious and often requires systemic antifungal treatment prescribed by a clinician. In a barbering context, recognizing this matters because you should refer the client for medical evaluation and avoid performing services on the affected area or sharing tools to prevent spread. The other descriptions describe different conditions (patchy hair loss as a symptom without naming the infection, a hair shaft disorder, or head lice infestation) and do not define tinea capitis.