icd 10 code for kerion

What is the medical term for kerion?

For the symphonic metal band, see Kerion (band). Kerion or kerion celsi is an acute inflammatory process which is the result of the host's response to a fungal ringworm infection of the hair follicles of the scalp (occasionally the beard) that can be accompanied by secondary bacterial infection (s).

What are the signs and symptoms of kerion?

Hairs within the kerion are loose and fall out, often resulting in a bald area ( localised alopecia ). Enlargement of the regional lymph nodes can occur, and some people become systemically unwell with fevers and malaise. It may be followed by a widespread itchy eczema -like rash ( dermatophytide ). See more images of kerion ... What causes kerion?

What is the treatment for kerion infection?

Typical therapy consists of oral antifungals, such as griseofulvin or terbinafine, for a sustained duration of at least 6-8 weeks depending on severity. Successful treatment of kerion often requires empiric bacterial antibiotics given the high prevalence of secondary bacterial infection.

What is kerion in tinea capitis?

An inflammatory manifestation of tinea capitis with a pronounced swelling that develops into suppurative central and indurated peripheral area called kerion.

What is a kerion?

A kerion is an abscess caused by fungal infection. It most often occurs on the scalp ( tinea capitis ), but it may also arise on any site exposed to the fungus such as face ( tinea faciei) and upper limbs ( tinea corporis ). It is often misdiagnosed as bacterial infection.

What does a kerion look like?

A kerion presents as a boggy pus -filled lump, often several centimetres in diameter. It is characterised by marked inflammation. Hairs within the kerion are loose and fall out, often resulting in a bald area ( localised alopecia ).

What causes kerion?

A kerion is caused by dramatic immune response to a dermatophyte fungal infection ( tinea ). The most common fungi found in kerion are:

How is kerion diagnosed?

Suspicion is raised due to the typical appearance of a kerion. Examination using a Wood lamp emitting long wavelength UVA may reveal yellow-green fluorescence if kerion is due to Microsporum canis, but is often negative even when this is the responsible organism because the inflammation obscures the presence of the fungus.

Is kerion contagious?

Yes, fungal infection may be transmitted by kerion to other members of the household if they are in close contact, especially if sharing bedding and towels. Combs and hairbrushes should be disinfected or discarded to prevent transmission of infection or re-infection.

What is the treatment of kerion?

Kerion should be treated by oral antifungal agents. A course of 6-8 weeks of treatment is normally prescribed at minimum. Topical antifungal agents are not effective due to deep invasion of fungus into the hair follicle.

Symptoms

There may be loss of hair as hair will come out easily. Sometimes, there is growth of organisms. Lymph and fever symptoms may be present. This condition can be mistaken for a case of impetigo.

Diagnosis

The basis for the diagnosis of kerion is clinical finding, positive microscopic examinations (such as positive KOH preparation, Lactophenol cotton blue wet mount, Chicago sky blue stained (CSB) slide, Calcofluor white stained slide, Periodic acid–Schiff stained slide, and Gomori’s methenamine silver stained slide), mycological culture and modern molecular tests (such as PCR-reverse line blot test, real-time PCR test, multiplex PCR test, PCR-ELISA test, and MALDI-TOF test) of clinical specimens.

Treatment

Unlike most other manifestations of Tinea dermatophyte infections, Kerion is not sufficiently treated with topical antifungals and requires systemic therapy. Typical therapy consists of oral antifungals, such as griseofulvin or terbinafine, for a sustained duration of at least 6-8 weeks depending on severity.