Age of Onset for Tinea Capitis
Tinea capitis predominantly affects prepubertal children, with peak incidence occurring between 3 and 7 years of age, while infants in their first year of life are less frequently affected. 1, 2, 3
Typical Age Distribution
- The peak age range is 3-7 years old, representing the most common period for tinea capitis infection 2, 3
- Prepubertal children are the primary affected population, with the condition being predominantly a disorder of this age group 1
- Children over 6 years of age and before puberty represent the typical demographic, with African Americans being the most affected group in North America 2
Age-Related Clinical Patterns
- Infants are less frequently affected compared to older children, though cases can occur even in the first year of life 1
- Tinea capitis is rare in children under 2 years old, with documented cases ranging from as young as 10 days old to 2 years, with a median age of 3 months in this younger cohort 4
- Adult incidence is generally low, but when it occurs, it is more commonly seen in immunocompromised individuals where the presentation may be atypical 1
Important Clinical Considerations
- The rarity of tinea capitis in infants under 1-2 years means it is often misdiagnosed and underreported because it resembles other scalp pathologies such as seborrheic dermatitis or eczema 5, 4
- When erythematous scalp lesions with scaling or alopecia are present in infants, mycological examination should be performed to avoid missing this diagnosis 5
- The predominant causative organism varies by geography, with Trichophyton tonsurans accounting for 50-90% of cases in the UK and being the most common organism in North America, while Microsporum canis remains most common across Europe 1, 2