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Dermatoscopy in the diagnosis of tinea nigra
Marcus Henrique de S B Xavier1, Lúcia Helena S Ribeiro, Hélio Duarte
1Universidade Federal Fluminense, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Serviço de Dermatologia, Niterói, Rio de janeiro, Brazil. marcus_hx@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Tinea nigra is an asymptomatic superficial fungal infection caused by Phaeoannelomyces werneckii, generally affecting the skin of the palms and characterized by deeply pigmented macular non-scaly patches. These lesions are quite characteristic. However, they can be misdiagnosed as a malignant melanoma or a junctional melanocytic nevus and unnecessary biopsies may be performed. Thus, dermoscopy is a fast, useful, clinical adjunctive tool in differentiating tinea nigra from melanocytic lesion.
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