Pinpoint White Dots in the Scalp: Dermoscopic and Histopathologic Correlation

    Leonardo Spagnol Abraham, Juan Piñeiro‐Maceira, Bruna Duque‐Estrada, Carlos Baptista Barcauí, Celso Tavares Sodré
    Image of study
    TLDR Small white dots on the scalp seen with a dermoscope correspond to sweat ducts and vary with different hair disorders.
    The document discusses the use of dermoscopy to identify small pinpoint white dots on the scalp, which were observed in patients with various skin phototypes and hair disorders, including frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), lichen planopilaris (LPP), alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia (AGA), and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA). Histopathologic examination revealed that these dots correspond to the epidermal portion of the eccrine sweat duct. The study involved a small number of patients: two with FFA, one with LPP, two with alopecia areata, two with AGA, and one with CCCA. The white dots were not present in patients with scalp discoid lupus erythematosus (SDLE) and folliculitis decalvans (FD), likely due to the destruction of the sweat duct by scarring. The authors suggest that the appearance of these dots is related to the contrast with the pigmented network typically seen in dark-skinned patients. They conclude that further studies are needed to understand the frequency and distribution of these structures in different populations.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    3 / 3 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 16 results

    Similar Research

    6 / 1000+ results
      A Systematic Approach to Afro-Textured Hair Disorders

      research A Systematic Approach to Afro-Textured Hair Disorders

      16 citations, April 2014 in “Dermatologic Clinics”
      Dermatoscopy helps diagnose hair and scalp disorders in people with Afro-textured hair, but more research is needed for better understanding and treatment.
      Update on Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

      research Update on Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

      2 citations, April 2017 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas”
      Best treatment for Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia is 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and intralesional corticosteroids.
      Hair and Scalp Dermatoscopy

      research Hair and Scalp Dermatoscopy

      245 citations, March 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”
      Dermatoscopy is useful for identifying different hair and scalp conditions and can reduce the need for biopsies.
      Proceedings of the Ninth World Congress for Hair Research 2015

      research Proceedings of the Ninth World Congress for Hair Research 2015

      January 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”
      The 2015 Hair Research Congress concluded that stem cells, maraviroc, and simvastatin could potentially treat Alopecia Areata, topical minoxidil, finasteride, and steroids could treat Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, and PTGDR2 antagonists could also treat alopecia. They also found that low-level light therapy could help with hair loss, a robotic device could assist in hair extraction, and nutrition could aid hair growth. They suggested that Alopecia Areata is an inflammatory disorder, not a single disease, indicating a need for personalized treatments.