Teen with unsightly rash on head/behind ears

[vidiots4]

My son just turned 17~ last year he had red bumps behind his ears that started to itch and had excess skin very ugly the family Dr. told us to use selsun blue, it contained an ingredient that would get rid of this, just to rub it behind his ears and leave it for 5 min before rinsing this seemed to work clearing up the red bumps and leaving lots of excess skin that was just peeling he got a haircut for back to school he decided to get it buzzed to our shock the entire right side of his scalp next to the ear seems to be infected a large red ring about 6" and the center is all red bumps, now it is itching him unfortunately we had to cancel our health insurance for financial reasons some tell me it could be ringworm although it does not seem to have a spiral formation others say bacterial infection any input would be appreciated

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The symptoms are suggestive of tinea capitis. The symptoms of Ringworm or Tinea Capitis include a dry itchy scalp, scaling, crusting, inflamed nodules, hair loss and tender enlarged lymph nodes on the neck. Diagnosis is by clinical examination of the scalp as well as a skin lesion biopsy with microscopic examination. Anti-fungal medications, taken by mouth, are used to treat the stubborn infection.

Please get this examined and a KOH examination of the skin scrapings done from a dermatologist.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Caryopteris]

I'd check him for food allergies.  You could do this by just eliminating the common allergens and see if he improves - soy, dairy, wheat,, nuts, peanuts.  

I'd try Nizoral shampoo, also.  

[maatson]

Selenium sulphide while is good for seborrheic dermatitis could well cause an irritant dermatitis in some.Your doctor will be adept in handling, by giving hydrocortisone creme if he deems it fit.