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Scalp demodicidosis mimicking favus in a 6-year-old boy

Alejandro García-Vargas1, Jorge Arturo Mayorga-Rodríguez, Cecilia Sandoval-Tress

  • 1Department of Pediatric Dermatology, Instituto Dermatológico de Jalisco Dr. José Barba Rubio, Secretaría de Salud Jalisco Jalisco, Mexico.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|July 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis mites cause demodicidosis, a rare condition. This case highlights demodicidosis mimicking favus in a child, successfully treated with ivermectin and permethrin.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis are common human ectoparasites residing in pilosebaceous units.
  • While most infestations are asymptomatic, a subset of individuals develop clinical demodicidosis.

Observation:

  • A 6-year-old boy presented with an 18-month history of scalp, forehead, neck, and chest lesions.
  • Initial clinical diagnosis was favus, a fungal infection of the scalp.

Findings:

  • Microscopic examination revealed Demodex folliculorum eggs and adult mites, excluding fungal elements.
  • The patient was treated with oral ivermectin and topical permethrin.

Implications:

  • Demodicidosis can present with clinical features mimicking other dermatoses, such as favus, in pediatric patients.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering parasitic causes in refractory or atypical pediatric scalp conditions.
  • Successful treatment with oral ivermectin and topical permethrin demonstrates effective therapeutic options for pediatric demodicidosis.

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