Tinea Capitis in an Adolescent Female with Lupus Erythematosus

A 17-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with scalp itching and diffuse hair loss, leading to a diagnosis of endothrix type tinea capitis confirmed by histopathology showing fungal hyphae inside the hair shaft. Despite tinea capitis being rare in adolescents, especially those with coexisting conditions like SLE, trichoscopy proved crucial in diagnosis, revealing specific findings such as corkscrew and bent hairs. The patient was successfully treated with terbinafine. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by immunosuppressive treatments for SLE, which can mask symptoms, and underscores the importance of trichoscopy in identifying tinea capitis in atypical populations.