Dermatoscopic Features of Pigmentary Diseases in Ethnic Skin

Keshavamurthy Vinay; Balachandra S Ankad

doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_561_20

Dermatoscopic Features of Pigmentary Diseases in Ethnic Skin

Indian Dermatol Online J. 2021 Jan 16;12(1):24-33. doi: 10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_561_20. eCollection 2021 Jan-Feb.

Authors

Keshavamurthy Vinay¹, Balachandra S Ankad²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Karnataka, India.
² Department of Dermatology, S Nijalingappa Medical College, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.

Abstract

Dermatoscopy is a non-invasive, handy tool, which is increasingly being used in diagnosis and prognostication of pigmentary dermatoses. Dermatoscopic changes in pigmentary pattern, scaling, and vasculature help us to differentiate among the myriad of hypo and hyper pigmentary diseases. This review gives a brief overview of the dermatoscopic features of pigmentary diseases, which are commonly encountered in clinical practice. We also provide a diagnostic approach based on salient dermatoscopic features.

Keywords: Dermatoscopy; dermoscopy; exogenous ochronosis; lichen planus pigmentosus; lichen sclerosus et atrophicus; melasma; pigmentary diseases; vitiligo.