Differential diagnosis Scalp psoriasis and
seborrheic eczema can produce scaly scalp
lesions, as can bacterial folliculitis. Alopecia
areata produces well-defined areas of
non-inflammatory hair loss. Trichophyton
infections of the hands (tinea manuum) and
beard area (tinea barbae) occur comparatively
infrequently and, if suspected, further advice
should be sought in terms of possible differential
diagnoses (Ashton and Leppard 2004).