Clues In Trichoscopy : A Rapid Useful Method To Differentiate Tinea Capitis and Alopecia Areata In Children

Dr Rajendra Shinde; Dr. Devayani Pol

Volume : VIII, Issue : V, May - 2019

Clues In Trichoscopy : A Rapid Useful Method To Differentiate Tinea Capitis and Alopecia Areata In Children

Dr Rajendra Shinde, Dr. Devayani Pol

Abstract :

Trichoscopy is a non–invasive diagnostic tool that allows visualization of morphologic features that cannot be visible to naked eye; hence enhancing the diagnostic accuracy. Tinea capitis and Alopecia areata are considered the most common acquired causes of alopecia in paediatric population. This study included total 30 children under 12 years of age of which 15 were diagnosed as Tinea Capitis via clinical and microscopic examination with KOH and 15 were diagnosed as Alopecia Areata clinically. In all cases were examined clinically and dermoscopically. Dermoscopic features of Tinea Capitis were comma hair, corkscrew hair, zigzag hair, morsecode hair, black dots. Black dots, vellus hair, exclamation mark hair, yellow dots, pigtail regrowing hair, tulip hair were observed in Alopecia Areata. Comma hair, zigzag hair, morse code hair and corkscrew hair are characteristic findings in tinea capitis. The most common specific finding of Tinea Capitis is comma hairs. Black dots are non specific, can be observed in both the Alopecia Areata and Tinea capitis. The vellus hair, exclamatory mark hair, yellow dots are specific dermoscopic markers of Alopecia areata differentiating it from tinea capitis.Trichoscopy can be used as simple and non invasive diagnostic tool to differentiate Tinea capitis from alopecia areata