Use of Dermoscope to Differentiate Pityrosporum Folliculitis and Acne Vulgaris

The study explores the use of a dermoscope, a handheld microscope with 10x magnification and a light source, to differentiate between Pityrosporum folliculitis (PF) and Acne vulgaris (AV), which are often misdiagnosed due to their similar presentations. PF lesions appear as hypopigmented, round lesions with coiled/looped hair in the center, while AV lesions vary: non-inflammatory AV shows a yellow-brown blockage, inflammatory AV appears as round, whitish lesions with thin brownish borders, and pustular AV presents as raised lesions with indistinct borders and a white or yellowish center. The dermoscope provides a practical tool for accurate diagnosis by revealing skin structures not visible to the naked eye.