Androgenetic alopecia is a highly heritable trait. However, much of our understanding about the genetics of male-pattern baldness comes from individuals of European descent. Here, we examined a dataset comprising 2,136 men from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa that were genotyped using the Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate Array. We first tested how genetic predictions of baldness generalize from Europe to Africa and found that polygenic scores from European genome-wide association studies (GWASs) yielded area under the curve statistics that ranged from 0.513 to 0.546, indicating that genetic predictions of baldness generalized poorly from European to African populations. Subsequently, we conducted an African GWAS of androgenetic alopecia, focusing on self-reported baldness patterns at age 45. After correcting for age at recruitment, population structure, and study site, we identified 266 moderately significant associations, 51 of which were independent (p < 10-5, r2 < 0.2). Most baldness associations were autosomal, and the X chromosome does not seem to have a large impact on baldness in African men. Although Neanderthal alleles have previously been associated with skin and hair phenotypes, within the limits of statistical power, we did not find evidence that continental differences in the genetic architecture of baldness are due to Neanderthal introgression. While most loci that are associated with androgenetic alopecia do not have large integrative haplotype scores or fixation index statistics, multiple baldness-associated SNPs near the EDA2R and AR genes have large allele frequency differences between continents. Collectively, our findings illustrate how population genetic differences contribute to the limited portability of polygenic predictions across ancestries.

ABSTRACT Context: Trichoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic technique widely used in evaluating hair and scalp disorders. However, normative trichoscopic data for richly pigmented Africans remain limited. Aims: To describe the trichoscopic features of the healthy Nigerian scalp (Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI) and to assess the influence of age, sun exposure, and gender on these features. Settings and Design: A multicenter and cross-sectional study of 1020 healthy participants aged 5–82 years in three Nigerian states in 2023. Subjects and Methods: Trichoscopic assessment was performed across the four scalp regions (frontal, temporal, vertex, and occipital). Features evaluated included follicular openings, number of hair shafts per follicular unit, and pigmentation patterns. Data on sun exposure, hair care practices, and demographics were collected. Statistical Analysis Used: Analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26; P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Participants were 51.9% female, with a mean age of 28.4 ± 17.3 years. Non-sun exposure was reported in 25%. The most consistent findings were a preserved honeycomb pigment network (99.6%) and regularly distributed pinpoint white dots (99.3%). Inter-follicular scales were observed in 15.7%. Gender differences were noted in the presence of scales. Age and sun exposure had no significant impact on trichoscopic patterns. Conclusion: In individuals with Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI, preserved honeycomb pigmentation and regular pinpoint white dots are hallmark features of a healthy scalp and they are unaffected by age or sun exposure. The presence of interfollicular scales may occur in healthy individuals and is influenced by hair care practices and gender.

INTRODUCTION:The relative immaturity of the infant skin barrier makes it susceptible to penetration of allergens and microbes. As a first step to investigating the effects of products and care practices on infant skin, there is a need to identify common early life practices on the skin. OBJECTIVES:To determine the skin care practices and products recommended and used for infants following delivery by health care workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS:An online survey among 109 health care workers in maternity and neonatal units across 50 health institutions in Nigeria. RESULTS:Predominant skin care practices include cleaning of the vernix caseosa (VC) immediately after birth (68.2%), while olive oil was used to clean the VC (86.4%). Most respondents (76.1%) bathed the baby within 24 hours of birth and natural products/ oil were mostly used to moisturise the skin in the first few days of life (48.6%). Recommendations include natural oils for skin moisturisation in 94.5% of respondents. Preferred natural oils include shea butter (54.1%), olive oil (49.5%) and coconut oil (45.9%). Recommendations of skin products and practices were based on professional guidelines (60.6%) and personal experience (35.8%). CONCLUSIONS:Natural products are preferred for infant skin care among Nigerian healthcare workers. Olive oil has been previously reported to be detrimental to the skin barrier. There is a need for further investigation into identified products for infant skin health.

Introduction: Dermoscopy has evolved over the years beyond distinguishing benign pigmented lesions from melanoma to diagnosing virtually all diseases in dermatology. Overwhelming evidence demonstrates its utility in improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing unnecessary biopsies and lesion monitoring. Dermoscopy is widely used in Western nations, hence most descriptions of lesions in literature are predominantly on Fitzpatrick skin types I-III. Current evidence shows that there are unique dermoscopic features in the dark skin as a result of pigment and pathological reactions. Nationwide surveys and reports have been conducted across several continents to highlight prevalence and factors influencing dermoscopy use with the hope of maximizing its apparent benefits. There are currently no such reports from Africa. Objective: To evaluate dermoscopy use and its determinants among dermatologists in Africa. Method: A cross-sectional study. Online forms were e-mailed to individual practicing dermatologists and members of the African Society of Dermatologists and Venereologists. Results: There were 196 respondents from 24 African countries. Half of them used dermoscopy. Training, practice settings and location, provision of dermatoscopes by institutions and knowledge of criteria were notable significant determinants. Multiple training exposures, knowledge of criteria, availability of dermatoscopes, use of both hand-held and videodermatoscopes, average number of patients seen per day, and a positive outlook towards dermoscopy were significant determinants of frequency of use. Leading impediments were lack of training and inadequate dermatoscopes in practice. Conclusion: Dermoscopy use in Africa is relatively low. Incorporating dermoscopy training into the curriculum with provision of dermatoscopes by training institutions will promote wider usage.

Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a common skin condition associated with Malassezia species. Factors influencing PV development, such as sebum and skin hydration levels, are not fully understood, especially among adolescents. This study aimed to determine Malassezia speciation and assess sebum and hydration levels in secondary school students with PV in Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among secondary school students with PV and a control group. Sebum and hydration levels were measured using a sebumeter and corneometer, respectively. Malassezia speciation was determined through KOH microscopy and PCR-RFLP. Sebum levels were significantly higher in PV patients compared to controls. Skin hydration was lower in PV patients. Malassezia globosa was the predominant species, followed by Malassezia restricta and Malassezia sympodialis. No significant correlations were found between Malassezia species and clinical features. Increased sebum levels and decreased skin hydration are associated with PV in adolescents. Malassezia globosa is the primary species involved. Further research is needed to elucidate the complex relationship between these factors and PV pathogenesis. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Over the last few decades, dermoscopy has been showed to facilitate the non-invasive diagnosis of both benign and malignant skin tumors, yet literature data mainly comes from studies on light photo-types. However, there is growing evidence that skin neoplasms may benefit from dermoscopic assess-ment even for skin of color. This systematic literature review evaluated published data in dark-skinned patients (dermoscopic features, used setting, pathological correlation, and level of evidence of studies), also providing a standardized and homogeneous terminology for reported dermoscopic findings. A total of 20 articles describing 46 different tumors (four melanocytic neoplasms, eight keratinocytic tumors, 15 adnexal cutaneous neoplasms, seven vascular tumors, four connective tissue tumors, and eight cystic neoplasms/others) for a total of 1724 instances were included in the analysis. Most of them showed a level of evidence of V (12 single case reports and six case series), with only two studies featuring a level of evidence of IV (case-control analysis). Additionally, this review also underlined that some neoplasms and phototypes are underrepresented in published analyses as they included only small samples and mainly certain tones of "dark skin" spectrum (especially phototype IV). Therefore, further studies considering such limitations are required for a better characterization.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and VenereologyEarly View LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dermoscopy of Darier's disease in dark phototypes: An observational study by the International Dermoscopy Society task force on 'imaging in skin of colour' Enzo Errichetti, Corresponding Author Enzo Errichetti enzoerri@yahoo.it orcid.org/0000-0002-7152-6136 Institute of Dermatology, "Santa Maria della Misericordia" University Hospital, Udine, Italy Correspondence Enzo Errichetti, Institute of Dermatology, "Santa Maria della Misericordia" University Hospital, Piazzale Santa Maria della Misericordia, 15. 33100-Udine, Italy. Email: enzoerri@yahoo.itSearch for more papers by this authorBalachandra S. Ankad, Balachandra S. Ankad Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, SN Medical College, Bagalkot, IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorAimilios Lallas, Aimilios Lallas orcid.org/0000-0002-7193-0964 First Department of Dermatology, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, GreeceSearch for more papers by this authorPayal Chauhan, Payal Chauhan orcid.org/0000-0002-0190-4592 Department of Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bilaspur, IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorManoj Nayak, Manoj Nayak orcid.org/0000-0002-9935-5711 Department of Dermatology, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubhaneswar, IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorRichard P. Usatine, Richard P. Usatine Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USASearch for more papers by this authorYasmeen Bhat, Yasmeen Bhat Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorKeshavamurthy Vinay, Keshavamurthy Vinay orcid.org/0000-0001-6323-4988 Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorBengu Nisa Akay, Bengu Nisa Akay orcid.org/0000-0002-4896-1666 Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, TurkeySearch for more papers by this authorAwatef Kelati, Awatef Kelati orcid.org/0000-0003-2570-4584 Dermatology Department, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences (UM6SS), Casablanca, MoroccoSearch for more papers by this authorNkechi Anne Enechukwu, Nkechi Anne Enechukwu Nnamdi Azikiwe University/Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nnewi, NigeriaSearch for more papers by this authorAdebola Ogunbiyi, Adebola Ogunbiyi Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, NigeriaSearch for more papers by this authorBiswanath Behera, Biswanath Behera orcid.org/0000-0002-5115-5622 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, IndiaSearch for more papers by this author Enzo Errichetti, Corresponding Author Enzo Errichetti enzoerri@yahoo.it orcid.org/0000-0002-7152-6136 Institute of Dermatology, "Santa Maria della Misericordia" University Hospital, Udine, Italy Correspondence Enzo Errichetti, Institute of Dermatology, "Santa Maria della Misericordia" University Hospital, Piazzale Santa Maria della Misericordia, 15. 33100-Udine, Italy. Email: enzoerri@yahoo.itSearch for more papers by this authorBalachandra S. Ankad, Balachandra S. Ankad Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, SN Medical College, Bagalkot, IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorAimilios Lallas, Aimilios Lallas orcid.org/0000-0002-7193-0964 First Department of Dermatology, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, GreeceSearch for more papers by this authorPayal Chauhan, Payal Chauhan orcid.org/0000-0002-0190-4592 Department of Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bilaspur, IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorManoj Nayak, Manoj Nayak orcid.org/0000-0002-9935-5711 Department of Dermatology, Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubhaneswar, IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorRichard P. Usatine, Richard P. Usatine Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USASearch for more papers by this authorYasmeen Bhat, Yasmeen Bhat Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorKeshavamurthy Vinay, Keshavamurthy Vinay orcid.org/0000-0001-6323-4988 Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, IndiaSearch for more papers by this authorBengu Nisa Akay, Bengu Nisa Akay orcid.org/0000-0002-4896-1666 Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, TurkeySearch for more papers by this authorAwatef Kelati, Awatef Kelati orcid.org/0000-0003-2570-4584 Dermatology Department, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences (UM6SS), Casablanca, MoroccoSearch for more papers by this authorNkechi Anne Enechukwu, Nkechi Anne Enechukwu Nnamdi Azikiwe University/Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nnewi, NigeriaSearch for more papers by this authorAdebola Ogunbiyi, Adebola Ogunbiyi Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, NigeriaSearch for more papers by this authorBiswanath Behera, Biswanath Behera orcid.org/0000-0002-5115-5622 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, IndiaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 16 January 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.18865Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. 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Background:Clinical and histopathologic observations have indicated that psoriasis is not rare in our population as previously thought. The initial rarity also led to paucity of studies on the disorder including histopathologic features in our practice setting. To date, there is no report on the histopathologic features of psoriasis indigenous to our practice environment.Objective:To evaluate the frequency of occurrence of the various histopathologic features of psoriasis in patients from this environment and identify any peculiarities that exist in black African patients.Methods:A cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed clinically with psoriasis at the University College Hospital, Ibadan between January 2015 and October 2016. After baseline sociodemographic data, all patients had baseline clinical examination and were offered skin biopsy after obtaining informed consent. The biopsy specimen was examined for histopathologic features of psoriasis after routine processing and staining using a pretested proforma with the frequencies of each diagnostic feature reported in percentages.Results:Forty-four patients with plaque psoriasis were analyzed. The mean age of the patients studied was 39.84 ± 20.97 years with a male to female ratio of which was almost equal. The most consistent epidermal changes in decreasing other of frequency were acanthosis, hypogranulosis, hyperkeratosis followed by elongation of rete ridges while dermal features were dermal infiltration by inflammatory cells, and dilatation of superficial dermal vessels. Munro's microabscesses were found in less than half of the patients biopsied. Some of the patients were found to have atypical changes.Conclusion:Histopathological features of psoriasis in the study is similar to what has been previously established universally but typical features such as Munro's micro abscesses and Kogoj's spongiform pustules are less frequently seen than expected. Atypical changes such as dermal melanophages and periadnexal infiltration by inflammatory cells may also be seen.

Hair and scalp disorders are common among individuals of African descent and constitute a significant proportion of dermatological conditions in them. Recently, there has been an increasing demand for natural products globally, especially for hair grooming and treatment of hair disorders. These naturally occurring products are accessible and affordable, perceived to be less toxic and contribute to wellness in an individual. Reports of possible complications from commercial hair products have also led to an increase in the demand for natural products in Nigeria. Indigenous therapies for hair and scalp disorders in Nigeria include physical modalities, natural products and chemicals. These therapies include the use of herbs, bark of trees, fruits, and oils which can be administered orally, topically or deposited intralesionally either through incisions, scarification marks, or demabrasion. There are currently very few studies supporting their efficacy and safety, hence, the rationale for their use is mostly anecdotal and their mode of administration unregulated. Some of the topical products in use are clearly harmful such as engine oil and kerosene used for the treatment of folliculitis keloidalis nuchae and head lice, respectively, and should be discouraged as they are caustic, inflammable and systemic absorption could occur leading to complications. Randomized controlled trials are needed to verify the claims from use of these natural products and determine the appropriate dosage for use. This review discusses the various medicinal plants, chemical agents and physical modalities used for different hair and scalp disorders in Nigeria.

Tinea capitis is a contagious superficial fungal infection affecting the hair and scalp. It is a common cause of scalp scales associated with itching in preadolescent school children. Risk factors include contact with infected animals or humans, low socioeconomic status, male gender and warm humid climatic conditions. The diagnosis of Tinea capitis is suspected based on characteristic clinical features but microscopy and culture is confirmatory. Trichoscopy is useful for excluding important differential diagnoses. Systemic antifungal agents are effective in the treatment of Tinea capitis.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous condition of unknown aetiology that is histologically typified by noncaseating, "naked" granulomas. Cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis are divided into non-specific/reactive and specific lesions. The dermoscopic hallmark of the various forms of sarcoidosis classically consists of the presence of orange structureless areas histologically corresponding to the dense and compact granulomatous infiltrate in the dermis. Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is an uncommon chronic idiopathic granulomatous disorder characterized by necrobiotic degenerative changes of dermal collagen that mainly affects young and middle-aged adults with a female sex predominance. Granuloma annulare is a relatively frequent, benign, inflammatory condition of uncertain aetiology that may show several histological patterns, including "interstitial", "palisading granuloma", sarcoidosis-like and mixed, with the first two forms being by far the most common. Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei (LMDF), also known as acne agminata, is a relatively rare granulomatous dermatosis that is thought to be an inflammatory reaction to destroyed hair follicles.

Cutaneous metastases are an uncommon feature of solid organ malignancies. The cost of multiple investigations and prolonged processing time of biopsies may lead to diagnostic delays especially in resource limited practice settings. Dermoscopy can provide useful clues and has been found to be useful in the diagnosis of cutaneous metastases. Dermoscopic findings of skin lesions may limit unnecessary investigations and shorten time to diagnosis. There are limited data on dermoscopic features of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in the literature. We report dermoscopic features of cutaneous metastasis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma seen in a black African child.

Various blanching methods were applied to tomatoes and pumpkin leaves (Telfairia occidentalis) to investigate the effect of the different blanching method on some of its nutritional content. The effects of steam and water blanching as a pretreatment on raw tomatoes and pumpkin leaves (control) were investigated in this study using standard methods. For tomatoes, the %nitrogen, potassium, vitamin A, C and E) mg/100g for raw were;0.48, 68.82mg/100g, 0.88mg/100g, 38.82mg/100g, 0.78mg/100g respectively. 0.45, 69.68mg/100g, 0.58mg/100g, 32.43mg/100g and 0.55mg/100g for water blanched respectively and 0.42, 69.14mg/100g, 0.47mg/100g, 29.66mg/100g, 0.42mg/100g respectively for steam blanching. * For pumpkin leaves, the %nitrogen, potassium, vitamin A, C and E) mg/100g for raw were; 0.98, 46.82mg/100g, 4.63mg/100g, 60.41mg/100g, 0.89mg/100g respectively. 0.95, 46.73mg/100g, 2.38mg/100g,41.08mg/100g and 0.59mg/100g for water blanched respectively and 0.94, 46.10mg/100g, 1.20mg/100g, 32.16mg/100g, 0.52mg/100g respectively for steam blanching. The results indicate that water and steam blanching significantly reduce the nutritional content. The values of the nutrient were higher in water blanching compared to steam blanching. Keywords: Fruits, vegetable, steam, water, blanching

Background Traction alopecia (TA) is common among women of African descent. There is limited information on the etiology and predisposing factors for TA among adolescents in Nigeria. This information is fundamental in changing hair grooming habits, which result in the development of TA in adult women.Objective To determine the prevalence, pattern, trichoscopic features, and risk factors for TA among adolescents in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.Patients and methods This was a cross-sectional study among 333 adolescents selected from secondary schools in Keffi. The students were interviewed to determine their hair care practices and symptoms of TA. The participants were examined for the presence of TA, and trichoscopy was done for those with TA. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25 Statistical software.Results The prevalence of TA was 15.1%. The temporal pattern (54.9%) was the commonest pattern. The trichoscopic features were the presence of peripilar casts (45.1%) and perifollicular halos (43.3%). TA was associated with many variables, but the identified risk factors after logistic regression were frequency of relaxing the hair (P=0.022), duration of covering hair (P=0.022), family economic status (P=0.023), and self-reported presence of dandruff (P=0.001).Conclusion TA occurs among adolescents in northern Nigeria. Increased frequency of relaxing the hair increases the risk of having TA, whereas the use of head scarfs reduced the chance of acquiring it. Further studies are required to evaluate the effect of hair covers on TA.

The human hair has been classified into African, Asian, Caucasian and, recently, mixed hair types from a perspective of its biological nature and racial characteristics. African hair is characterized by tightly curled, kinky hair with a tendency to form knots; chemical hair straighteners break the cysteine disulfide bonds of the hair, thus decreasing its tensile strength and making it more pliant. A honeycomb pigment network pattern is characteristic on trichoscopic examination, with the dark lines corresponding to the increased number of melanocytes in the rete ridge and the lighter-coloured areas corresponding to the fewer melanocytes in the supra papillary dermis. Blood vessels are not easily visualized in the darkly pigmented scalp. The relative or absolute absence of pigmentation on the albino scalp makes the blood vessels easy to visualize, with thick arborizing telangiectasia resulting from photodamage often seen in males and females with either short hair or hair loss.

Background: Facial acne vulgaris is the most common disease of the skin in adolescents. In Nigeria, studies of the prevalence of adolescent facial acne vulgaris, lesion type and distribution, and influence of social class on prevalence are few. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of adolescent facial acne vulgaris, clinical characteristics, and the influence of social class on this prevalence. Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study. One thousand and seventy-nine students from four secondary schools (two private and two public) were assessed. Students were clinically examined for facial acne vulgaris, and acne severity was graded. A structured questionnaire for sociodemographic variables was administered to the students. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16. Results: One thousand and seventy-nine students were studied; 52% were male, and 47.9% were female. The students were aged 9–20 years with a mean age of 14 ± 2.1 years. The prevalence of facial acne vulgaris was found to be 53.2%. More females (56.7%) had acne than males (50%), the prevalence was found to increase from 28% in the 9–11 years age group to 71.1% in the 18–20 years age group and more prevalent in adolescents from the high social class (60.7%). The severity of acne was mild in 67.2%, moderate in 28.9%, and severe in 4.9%. Conclusion: Prevalence of adolescent facial acne vulgaris increases with age, more prevalent in adolescents from a high social class. Male gender, age, a family history of acne, and previous treatment of acne contribute to the severity of acne.

BACKGROUND:The myriad of coexisting risk factors for tinea capitis (TC) in parts of Africa makes it common among schoolchildren from this region. Diagnosis ideally involves microscopy and culture of scalp scrapings, which is not always feasible in resource-poor settings. Small-scale reports have identified trichoscopy (dermoscopy of hair and surrounding skin) as a cheap, quick, and simple tool for evaluating TC. We sought to describe the trichoscopic features of TC among Nigerian children.METHODS:A total of 204 children with clinically diagnosed TC had trichoscopy of their scalp lesions and culture of scalp scrapings. Trichoscopic features and culture results were noted.RESULTS:Perifollicular scaling (78.4%), interfollicular scaling (69.1%), and black dots (44.1%) were the commonest trichoscopic features. Others include regrowing hairs (18.6%), comma hairs (14.7%), broken hairs (13.2%), corkscrew hairs (3.4%), zigzag hairs (2.5%), and peripilar casts (2.0%). All children with comma, corkscrew, and zigzag hairs, as well as most with black dots (88.9%), broken hairs (88.9%), and regrowing hairs (77.5%) had positive cultures, irrespective of the isolated dermatophyte. Comma hairs were specific for Tinea infection with positive culture of dermatophytes. The presence of black dots in combination with individual features like broken hairs, regrowing hairs, perifollicular scaling, or interfollicular scaling also had a high specificity for positive cultures.CONCLUSION:In the management of children with TC, trichoscopy is useful as a diagnostic tool, especially where access to laboratory evaluation is either not instant or unavailable.