[Permanent hair loss after Kerion Celsi]

Kerion celsi is a deep dermatophytic infection of the scalp. The diagnosis is based on the characteristic clinical picture and is verified by examination for the fungus. Treatment consists of griseofulvin in a dosage of 10 mg/kg/day. The present article is a retrospective investigation of 18 patients with kerion celsi who had been treated in the Department of Dermatology in Marselisborg Hospital during the period 1978-1989. Sixteen out of the 18 patients were children. Twelve of the children were boys. A questionnaire investigation revealed that only five out of 18 patients had normal hair growth. We found a connection between the degree of severity of the alopecia and the age of the patient and the extent of the primary affection, respectively, so that low patient age and large primary affection result in a poorer prognosis. On the other hand, we have not found any connection between the latent period from the first appearance of symptoms and relevant treatment and the alopecia. Nor is there any evidence that treatment with systemic steroid is of significance for the prognosis.