Dermoscopy in Hair Disorders
January 2014
in “
Menoufia Medical Journal
”
New to Alopecia Areata? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → dermoscopy alopecia areata androgenetic alopecia tenia capitis discoid lupus erythematosus lichen planopilaris vascular patterns follicular signs perifollicular signs hair shaft characteristics dystrophic hair yellow dots terminal-to-vellus hair ratio primary cicatricial alopecias follicular ostia fibrous tracts scalp disorders hair disorders hair loss scalp examination hair examination
Studysummary This review discusses the role of dermoscopy in diagnosing hair and scalp disorders, noting its ability to aid in differential diagnosis without the need for biopsies; it reports no new clinical results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The 2014 review "Dermoscopy in hair disorders" discussed the use of dermoscopy, a noninvasive technique, in diagnosing various hair and scalp disorders. The technique was found to be particularly useful in diagnosing alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, tenia capitis, discoid lupus erythematosus, and lichen planopilaris. Dermoscopy allows for the examination of vascular patterns, follicular and perifollicular signs, and hair shaft characteristics, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing the need for unnecessary biopsies. In alopecia areata, dermoscopy can detect dystrophic hair and yellow dots, which represent follicular openings filled with keratinous debris. In androgenetic alopecia, it can measure hair shaft thickness and monitor the terminal-to-vellus hair ratio. In primary cicatricial alopecias, it can reveal the absence of follicular ostia and the presence of fibrous tracts. The review concluded that early diagnosis and intervention in different types of alopecia could significantly improve patients' quality of life.
