Pediculosis
Dermoscopy allows a rapid and reliable diagnosis of pediculosis by revealing the lice itself or the nits fixed to the hair shaft (Fig 9b).[1][2]Nits containing vital nymphs dermoscopically display ovoid brown structures, while the empty nits are translucent and typically show a plane and fissured free ending. This information is particularly useful for treatment monitoring, since dermoscopic detection of vital nits should lead to a continuation or modification of therapy. Additionally, dermoscopy has been recently shown to enable the discrimination between nits and the so-called pseudo-nits, such as hair casts, debris of hair spray or gel. The latter are not firmly attached to the hair shaft and appear dermoscopically as amorphous, whitish structures.[3]
- ↑ Micali et al.: Dermatoscopy: alternative uses in daily clinical practice. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2011;64:1135-46. PMID: 21292346. DOI.
- ↑ Di Stefani et al.: Dermoscopy for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of pediculosis capitis. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2006;54:909-11. PMID: 16635683. DOI.
- ↑ Zalaudek & Argenziano: Images in clinical medicine. Dermoscopy of nits and pseudonits. N. Engl. J. Med. 2012;367:1741. PMID: 23113485. DOI.
