Hair Root Dermoscopy from Shed Hair: A Simple Diagnostic Tool in Telogen Effluvium

The document discusses the use of hair root dermoscopy as a simple diagnostic tool for telogen effluvium (TE), particularly in cases following COVID-19 infection. A case study of a 20-year-old female with post-COVID acute TE is presented, where dermoscopy of shed hair revealed depigmented club-shaped hair bulbs indicative of telogen hair. This method is highlighted as a noninvasive alternative to the painful and semi-invasive trichogram, which requires a benchtop microscope. The study suggests that dermoscopy can effectively distinguish between diffuse alopecia areata and TE by examining hair root pigmentation, offering a practical diagnostic approach in dermatology.