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. 2019 Mar-Apr;11(2):43-48.
doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_86_18.

Applicability of Trichoscopy in Scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis

Sandra Widaty  1 , Erdina Hd Pusponegoro  1 , Githa Rahmayunita  1 , Rinadewi Astriningrum  1 , Adinda Meidisa Akhmad  1 , Caroline Oktarina  1 , Eliza Miranda  1 , Triana Agustin  1
Affiliations

Applicability of Trichoscopy in Scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis

Sandra Widaty et al. Int J Trichology. 2019 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic-recidive inflammatory skin disorder with predilection in areas rich of sebaceous gland. The most common clinical manifestations are pruritus and scales. Although SD can be diagnosed without special tools, other examinations may be needed to determine additional specific therapy. Trichoscopy is one of the noninvasive tools which can help to diagnose SD as it can provide the microstructure view of the scalp.

Materials and methods: This descriptive study was conducted to explore the trichoscopic features of SD and its characteristics. There were 96 SD patients enrolled in this study. The scalp was divided into four areas, and each area was scored based on Seborrheic Area Severity Index, comprising erythema, desquamation, number of papules, and percentage of lesion area. The most severe area was examined with a trichoscopy to observe the characteristics of hair and scalp. The association between trichoscopic findings and SD severity was analyzed with Fisher's exact test.

Results: Overall, the participants were 36% males and 64% females with the mean age of 30 (13-70) years old. Based on the trichoscopic examination, the most common findings were thick hair shafts (72%), white scales (69%), arborizing thin vessels (38%), yellowish area (36%), and structureless red area (19%). These findings were not significantly different between mild and moderate SD (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Considering the merits and demerits of trichoscopic examination, it can be helpful to aid the diagnosis of SD. Further studies in Asian population with greater sample size are needed to demonstrate more significant result.

Keywords: Diagnostic tools; scalp; seborrheic dermatitis; seborrheic dermatitis area severity index; trichoscopy.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Clinical manifestations of moderate seborrheic dermatitis
Figure 2
Figure 2
Trichoscopic findings in mild seborrheic dermatitis
Figure 3
Figure 3
Trichoscopic findings in moderate seborrheic dermatitis with white scales and yellowish area
Figure 4
Figure 4
Trichoscopic findings in mild seborrheic dermatitis with prominent arborizing blood vessels
Figure 5
Figure 5
Trichoscopic findings in moderate seborrheic dermatitis with prominent blood vessels and yellowish scales
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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