Dermoscopy for the Pediatric Dermatologist Part I: Dermoscopy of Pediatric Infectious and Inflammatory Skin Lesions and Hair Disorders

In 2013, a review highlighted the benefits of using dermoscopy in pediatric dermatology for diagnosing and monitoring infectious, inflammatory skin conditions, and hair disorders in children. Dermoscopy, a noninvasive technique, provides enhanced visualization of skin structures and is particularly useful for children due to its non-threatening application. The review detailed how dermoscopy can identify specific features of various skin conditions such as scabies, pediculosis, phthiriasis, molluscum contagiosum, tinea nigra, and verrucae. It also described the dermoscopic patterns seen in inflammatory skin lesions like psoriasis and lichen planus, aiding in diagnosis and treatment monitoring. For hair disorders, dermoscopy was shown to be effective in diagnosing alopecia areata, trichotillomania, tinea capitis, and genetic hair shaft disorders, providing a non-invasive alternative to hair plucking. The review underscored dermoscopy's role in improving diagnostic accuracy and monitoring treatment efficacy in pediatric dermatological conditions.