What characterizes tinea capitis?

Tinea capitis is best characterized as a fungal infection of the skin and scalp. It is caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungus that specifically targets keratin in hair and skin. This condition typically presents with several symptoms, including hair loss, itching, and scaling of the scalp. The presence of fungi affects the health of the hair follicles and can lead to inflammation and secondary bacterial infections if not treated properly.

While other conditions may present with red papules or crusted lesions, these are not defining characteristics of tinea capitis specifically. The mention of crusts known as scutula is associated more with another condition called tinea favosa, which is a variant of tinea capitis but not its primary form. Additionally, itching and scaling on the tongue are not related to tinea capitis but may indicate oral thrush or other issues unrelated to scalp fungal infections. Thus, identifying tinea capitis explicitly as a fungal infection of the skin and scalp encompasses the essential understanding of the disease's nature and presentation.