[Child with inflammatory tinea capitis after visiting a barbershop]

We report the case of a 9-year-old boy presenting with inflammatory tinea capitis (kerion celsi) after repeated visits to a barbershop. Trichophyton tonsurans was identified by fungal culture, while Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus spp. were detected as accompanying microorganisms. The infection was considered highly likely to be barbershop-associated, most probably resulting from inadequately reprocessed hair-cutting or shaving instruments. An initial misdiagnosis as dermatitis, followed by treatment with topical hydrocortisone, was associated with further clinical progression. This case underscores the importance of early mycological work-up, including direct microscopy, fungal culture and/or polymerase chain reaction, with histopathological examination in selected cases, as well as the prompt initiation of guideline-concordant systemic antifungal therapy. In cases of bacterial superinfection, adjunctive antibiotic treatment may be indicated. From a public health perspective, rigorous instrument reprocessing in barbershops, together with appropriate counselling and hygiene measures in the patient's close contacts and environment, is essential.