Dermoscopy in superficial fungal infection

Abstract

Superficial fungal infections are one of the most common skin infection infections. It is caused by fungal pathogens and are limited to the outer layer of the skin, hair, and nails. Superficial fungal infections include dermatophytosis, superficial candidiasis, and diseases caused by Malassezia spp. Most physicians diagnose and treat superficial fungal infections based solely on clinical appearance. But unfortunately, there are many other infectious and non-infectious diseases that have similar clinical appearance.Dermoscopy is a practical and noninvasive imaging method that allows magnifying clinical surface images that are normally invisible under a magnifying lens. In diagnosing superficial mycosis, dermoscopy was found to have a higher sensitivity and specifity compared to pottasium chloride (KOH) and fungal culture.More understanding is needed about the use of dermoscopy in diagnosing superficial fungal infections in the hope of being able to provide an overview of superficial fungal infections and dermoscopy, as well as dermoscopy features in some superficial fungal infections. In this article, the author describe dermoscopic findings in various superficial fungal infections on the skin, hair, and nails.