Tinea capitis in Older Adults: A Neglected and Misdiagnosed Scalp Infection-A Systematic Review of Reported Cases

Background/Objectives: Tinea capitis is traditionally a childhood infection, yet recent reports describe its emergence among older adults. In this population, hormonal changes, comorbidities, and frequent corticosteroid use may modify clinical presentation and delay diagnosis. This systematic review aimed to consolidate current evidence on Tinea capitis in individuals aged 65 years or older, focusing on epidemiologic, clinical, and mycological characteristics as well as therapeutic outcomes. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO databases for studies published between 1978 and February 2025. Eligible articles included case reports, case series, and clinical studies involving patients ≥65 years with confirmed Tinea capitis. Two independent reviewers screened and extracted data on demographics, comorbidities, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, etiologic agents, and treatment response. Results: Sixty-three studies comprising 91 patients from 19 countries were included. Most cases originated from Spain (n = 27) and the United States (n = 12). Females accounted for 90.1% of cases. The leading comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (37.5%) and hypertension (21.9%). Topical corticosteroid use (40.7%) and pet exposure (27.8%) were frequent risk factors. Misdiagnosis occurred in 37.4% of patients, commonly as seborrheic dermatitis or erosive pustular dermatosis. The inflammatory variant predominated (65.9%), with kerion reported in 42.9%. Microsporum canis was the predominant agent (26.9%, n = 24), while Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans were equally frequent (both 19.1%, n = 17). Systemic antifungal therapy achieved clinical cure in 91.2% of cases. Conclusions: Tinea capitis in the elderly is an underrecognized and often misidentified scalp infection. Awareness of its variable presentation and systematic mycological assessment are crucial to ensure timely therapy and prevent scarring alopecia.