Favus is characterized by which of the following?

• A. Deep-seated nodules, abscesses, crusting
• B. Black dot lesions
• C. Patches of hypopigmentation
• D. Acute pustular lesions on the trunk

Answer: (A)

Favus is a chronic scalp infection caused by a dermatophyte (classically Trichophyton schoenleinii) that produces thick, yellow crusts on the scalp, known as scutula, and often leads to scarring alopecia over time. In more advanced or active disease, inflammatory nodules can form beneath those crusts and may coalesce into abscess-like lesions, all while crusting remains a prominent feature. This combination of deep-seated nodules or abscesses with crusting fits the description of favus most closely. The other patterns—black dot alopecia, patches of hypopigmentation, or acute pustular lesions on the trunk—are more characteristic of different dermatophyte presentations or other skin conditions and do not capture the crusted, nodular, chronic scalp involvement seen with favus.