Dermoscopy in the Evaluation of Tinea Corporis: A Potential to Optimize Diagnostic Accuracy.

Authors

Yamunaraj S D, Rahul H V, Chethan Kumar, Jayaprakash M H, Sagarika B, Jithin Jayaraj

Published in

Cureus. Volume 18. Issue 8. Pages e114320. Epub Aug 11, 2026.

Abstract

Introduction Tinea corporis, or ringworm, is a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes that affects the skin. It is a significant public health concern, particularly in tropical regions like India, due to issues like antifungal resistance and improper use of combination creams. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) tests and fungal cultures, are reliable but time-consuming and require laboratory access. Dermoscopy, a non-invasive diagnostic tool, offers a faster alternative by revealing distinct patterns in skin infections, including tinea corporis, invisible to the naked eye. Objective This study aimed to analyse the clinical profile of tinea corporis and describe the utility of dermoscopy as an adjunctive diagnostic tool. Methods A prospective cross-sectional observational study at a tertiary care hospital in Karnataka, conducted from April to August 2024, included 200 clinically confirmed tinea corporis cases. Patients were evaluated using KOH tests and dermoscopy. Dermoscopic findings, recorded with a Derma India® M10A30 hybrid dermatoscope, were analyzed for specific patterns like scales and background color changes to aid diagnosis. Results The study indicated that 61% of the cases were men, with the highest prevalence observed in individuals aged 31-40 years. The key contributing risk factors were identified as poor hygiene and a previous history of dermatophytosis, both of which significantly increased susceptibility to infection. Dermoscopic examination revealed distinctive features, including peripheral scaling, reddish-brown backgrounds, and black dots, which were commonly present and proved essential for the precise and reliable diagnosis of tinea corporis. Conclusion Dermoscopy is a valuable, rapid, and non-invasive adjunctive diagnostic tool that complements clinical examination and potassium hydroxide microscopy. It facilitates the recognition of characteristic dermoscopic features, helping clinicians differentiate tinea corporis from other skin conditions, especially in resource-constrained settings.

PMID:
42724817
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Sep 2026.

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