The Role of Trichoscopy Beyond Hair and Scalp Diseases: A Review

This review article explores the expanded role of trichoscopy, a diagnostic tool traditionally used for hair and scalp diseases, in identifying features associated with systemic disorders that do not typically affect the scalp. The study highlights trichoscopic features of various systemic diseases, such as connective tissue diseases, cutaneous lymphomas, multiple myeloma, angiosarcomas, and syphilitic alopecia. For instance, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and dermatomyositis are associated with thick arborizing and tortuous vessels, while systemic sclerosis also shows avascular areas. Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas may present spermatozoa-like vessels, and cutaneous B-cell lymphomas may show salmon-colored areas with arborizing vessels. The article concludes that dermatologists can use trichoscopic findings to suspect certain systemic diseases, thus broadening the diagnostic utility of trichoscopy beyond traditional hair and scalp conditions.