Trichoscopy and Tinea Capitis: Comma and Corkscrew Hairs

January 2016 in “ Journal of cosmetology & trichology ”

Y. Bourezane, Yasmine Bourezane

trichoscopy Tinea Capitis comma hairs corkscrew hairs Trichophyton tonsurans griseofulvin non-scarring alopecia Androgenic alopecia Alopecia areata Lichen planopilaris Trichotillomania TC fungal infection hair and scalp diseases

TLDR Trichoscopy helped diagnose and treat a child's fungal scalp infection by spotting specific hair shapes.

The document reports a case study of a 6-year-old African female child with non-scarring alopecia and scaling, which had been present for 2 months. Trichoscopy, a dermoscopic examination of the hair and scalp, revealed the presence of comma hairs and corkscrew hairs, which led to the diagnosis of Tinea Capitis (TC), a fungal infection caused by Trichophyton tonsurans. Treatment with griseofulvin resulted in complete clinical and dermoscopic resolution of the alopecia. The study highlights the utility of trichoscopy in diagnosing hair and scalp diseases, with comma-shaped hairs being a marker of TC and corkscrew hair indicating a more advanced stage of the infection. The document emphasizes that trichoscopy can aid in diagnosing various conditions such as Androgenic alopecia, Alopecia areata, Lichen planopilaris, and Trichotillomania by identifying specific hair and scalp changes.

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Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research Practice Gaps: Trichoscopy in Clinical Care

8 citations , March 2011 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Doctors don't use trichoscopy enough, even though it's good for diagnosing hair problems.

research Corkscrew Hair: A New Dermoscopic Sign for Diagnosis of Tinea Capitis in Black Children

108 citations , March 2011 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Corkscrew hair may be a new sign for quickly diagnosing scalp fungus in black children.

research Comma Hairs: A Dermatoscopic Marker for Tinea Capitis

143 citations , October 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Comma hairs are a specific sign of tinea capitis when viewed with videodermatoscopy.

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