[citation needed] The uncomplicated appearance is that of a number of yellowish, circular, cup-shaped crusts (scutulum or shield) grouped in patches like a honeycomb, each crust about the size of a split pea, with a bundle of hair projecting in the center.

Growth continues to take place for several months, when scab and scutulum go away, leaving a shining bare patch destitute of hair.

[3] The fungus was named after a microscopic structure termed "achorion" (a term not used in modern science), seen in scrapings of infected skin, which consists of slender, mycelial threads matted together, bearing oval, nucleated fungal substrate-arthroconidia either free or jointed.

The fungus was subsequently named by Robert Remak as Achorion schoenleinii in honor of its discoverer.

[3] This was in the days before scientists learned to rigorously distinguish microorganism-identities from disease-identities, and these antique, ambiguous disease-based names no longer have status either in mycology or in dermatology today.