Trichoscopy and Tinea Capitis: Comma and Corkscrew Hairs

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.