A fungal skin infection, usually affecting the scalp, characterized by dry yellow or white crusts arranged in honeycomb-like patterns.
From Latin 'favus' (honeycomb), borrowed directly into medical terminology in the 18th century. The name comes from the appearance of the scutula (cup-shaped crusts) that resemble honeycomb cells.
Favus is caused by the fungus Trichophyton schoenleinii and was once common in Europe but is now rare in developed countries—a reminder that many diseases of the past literally disappeared through improved hygiene and living conditions.
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