Atrichia With Papular Lesions: Dermoscopy to the Rescue

The article discusses a case of Atrichia with Papular Lesions (APL), a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the hairless (HR) gene, in a 3-year-old boy. The child experienced complete hair loss by age 1 and developed skin-colored papules. Dermoscopy, a non-invasive diagnostic tool, revealed a 'cluster of stars' appearance on the scalp, aiding in the diagnosis of APL. This condition is characterized by the absence of hair and the presence of papules due to retained keratin in follicular structures. Dermoscopy helps differentiate APL from alopecia areata, which presents different dermoscopic features. The case highlights the utility of dermoscopy in diagnosing APL, especially in children, to avoid invasive procedures like biopsies.