Favus

Last Updated: 2023-07-07

Author(s): Anzengruber F., Navarini A.

ICD11: -

Inherited bark, head bark, fungal bark, lichen bark, tinea capitis favosa, tinea favosa, dermatomycosis favosa.

A reportable special form of tinea capitis.

  • Endemic areas are found in North Africa, South-Eastern Europe, Iran and countries of the former Soviet Union
  • Frequently children are affected

  • Pathogen: Trichophyton schoenleinii
  • Predisposition factors
    • ↓ Hygiene
    • Wearing a head covering
  • The dermatophyte is transmitted by other people, although the contagiousness is rather low

Erythematous, scaly, follicularly localised, yellowish encrusted papules. If enlargement occurs, the term "scutulae" is used

  • Travel history
  • Clinical
  • Detection of pathogens (epilation of hair or recovery of dandruff: then native preparation and culture; biopsy)
  • Wood light (green-greyish fluorescence)

In addition to the hairy head, the extremities and face may also be affected.

  1. Cecchi R, Paoli S, Giomi A, Rossetti R. Favus due toTrichophyton schoenleiniiin a patient with metastatic bronchial carcinoma. British Journal of Dermatology 2003;148:1057-.
  2. Bourlond A, Lachapelle JM, Aussems J, et al. Double-blind comparison of itraconazole with griseofulvin in the treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Int J Dermatol 1989;28:410-2.
  3. Lachapelle JM, De Doncker P, Tennstedt D, Cauwenbergh G, Janssen PA. Itraconazole compared with griseofulvin in the treatment of tinea corporis/cruris and tinea pedis/manus: an interpretation of the clinical results of all completed double-blind studies with respect to the pharmacokinetic profile. Dermatology 1992;184:45-50.