Tinea Capitis: Bedside Diagnosis by Dermoscopy

An 8-year-old girl with a 2-month history of a mildly itchy, alopecic scalp patch was diagnosed with tinea capitis using dermoscopy and microbiologic findings. The dermoscopic evaluation revealed black dots, comma hair, corkscrew hair, and peripilar scales, which are characteristic of tinea capitis. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of fungal elements in a potassium hydroxide mount of hair samples. The condition was successfully treated with a 4-week course of systemic and topical antifungals, resulting in healing without scarring. Tinea capitis is a common pediatric scalp infection that can mimic other conditions, and dermoscopy serves as a rapid, noninvasive diagnostic tool that can prevent permanent hair follicle damage if diagnosed and treated early.