Dermoscopic evaluation of tinea capitis: A case report

Abstract

Tinea capitis is the most common fungal infection in children. Recently, the dermoscopic examination of the hair and scalp or trichoscopy has surfaced on and proven to be a very effective, proficient, and efficient useful tool in diagnosing and screening of some hair disorders. Case: A 12-year-old boy presented with circular lesions with sharp margins on the scalp, with breaking hairs forming patches of partial alopecia. Scrapings of the scalp, containing broken hairs, were collected and submitted for direct examination by using KOH preparation revealed chains of arthroconidia covering the hair shaft. Dermoscopic examination was performed and revealed the presence of fine scale, broken hairs and comma hair. Discussion: Our patient reavealed a good clinical improvement evaluated by microscopic examination and dermoscopic evaluation. After effective antifungal therapy for 8 weeks duration, the hair fully regrows. Conclusion: Scalp dermoscopy or “trichoscopy” represents a valuable, noninvasive technique for the evaluation of patients with hair loss due to tenia capitis.