witkop

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Afrikaans witkop.

Noun

witkop (uncountable)

1. (South Africa) A scalp disease similar to favus, characterised by hair loss and white crust.
   • 1968, Microbiology Abstracts: Bacteriology - Volume 4:

     A report of eight cases of witkop (a disease affecting hairy skin on the scalp characterised by alopecia and the formation of thick white crusts on the affected scalp) in Bantus aged 18-20 years is given.

   • 1970, British Journal of Venereal Diseases - Volumes 46-47, page 217:

     These two cases of witkop had a close resemblance to favus, but no evidence of fungus infection was found.

   • 1974, SAMJ - Volume 48, Issues 53-63, page 2354:

     He was struck by the number of cases of tinea capitis that were seen during his visit, for scalp ringworm, sometimes covering almost the entire scalp, (witkop) is common among Transkeian children.

   • 1978, Cutis - Volume 22, page 334:

     Another condition of the scalp is witkop. Small indurated papules covering the scalp develop into heaped-up crusts similar to those seen in secondary syphilis.