Question

A patient has been treated for tinea capitis but continues to have bald like spot on her scalp. The NP diagnoses the patient with kerion and tells the patient:

a. The area is self-limiting and will heal within the next 4-6 weeks.
b. Apply corticosteroid to the area for 5 days
c. Use Rogaine hair treatment to promote hair growth.
d. It is a permanent patchy alopecia.

Answer 1

Treatment for kerion includes antifungal medication and potentially corticosteroids for inflammation; hair loss is usually temporary with hair regrowth resuming post-treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient has been treated for tinea capitis but continues to have a bald-like spot on her scalp. When the nurse practitioner (NP) diagnoses the patient with kerion, which is an inflammatory form of tinea capitis, the appropriate treatment is not a permanent patchy alopecia. Instead kerion is an inflammatory reaction to the fungal infection and can be treated with antifungal medications and possibly corticosteroid creams to reduce inflammation.

The balding area where the kerion was located is typically temporary, and hair growth usually resumes once the infection and inflammation are resolved. However using Rogaine (minoxidil) is not standard treatment for kerion itself but may be used to help stimulate hair regrowth once the infection is under control.